A method of forming a sample and performing correlative S/TEM and APM analysis is provided wherein a sample containing a region of interest is cut from a bulk of sample material and formed into an ultra-thin lamella. The lamella is then analyzed with an S/TEM to form an image. The lamella sample and mount may then go through a cleaning process to remove any contamination. The lamella containing the ROI is then embedded within a selected material and is formed into a needle-shaped sample. The needle-shaped sample is then analyzed with the APM and the resulting data is merged and correlated with the S/TEM data.

A scanning electron microscope capable of properly determining a step of a step pattern formed on a sample regardless of combination of material of a groove of the step pattern and material of a projection of the step pattern, the scanning electron microscope includes a beam source, a detection unit having a first detection unit that detects a secondary electron emitted from the sample at an angle between an optical axis direction of the primary electron beam which is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and a second detection unit that detects a secondary electron emitted from the sample at an angle between the optical axis direction of the primary electron beam which is greater than the predetermined value, and a processing unit to obtain information on the step pattern using the information on a ratio between signals outputted from the first and the second detection unit.

A scanning electron microscope capable of properly determining a step of a step pattern formed on a sample regardless of combination of material of a groove of the step pattern and material of a projection of the step pattern, the scanning electron microscope includes a beam source, a detection unit having a first detection unit that detects a secondary electron emitted from the sample at an angle between an optical axis direction of the primary electron beam which is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and a second detection unit that detects a secondary electron emitted from the sample at an angle between the optical axis direction of the primary electron beam which is greater than the predetermined value, and a processing unit to obtain information on the step pattern using the information on a ratio between signals outputted from the first and the second detection unit.

A field emission device comprises one or more emitter elements, each having a high aspect ratio structure with a nanometer scaled cross section; and one or more segmented electrodes, each surrounding one of the one or more emitters. Each of the one or more segmented electrodes has multiple electrode plates. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

A field emission device comprises one or more emitter elements, each having a high aspect ratio structure with a nanometer scaled cross section; and one or more segmented electrodes, each surrounding one of the one or more emitters. Each of the one or more segmented electrodes has multiple electrode plates. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

The present invention discloses an e-beam inspection tool, and an apparatus for detecting defects. In one aspect is described an apparatus for detecting defects that includes a focusing column that accelerates the e-beam and separately, for each of the plurality of predetermined locations, focuses the e-beam to a predetermined non-circular spot that is within the predetermined surface area of each of the plurality of predetermined locations based upon the major axis.

The present invention discloses an e-beam inspection tool, and an apparatus for detecting defects. In one aspect is described an apparatus for detecting defects that includes a focusing column that accelerates the e-beam and separately, for each of the plurality of predetermined locations, focuses the e-beam to a predetermined non-circular spot that is within the predetermined surface area of each of the plurality of predetermined locations based upon the major axis.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laminated film which can prevent permeation of the water vapor at the higher level, and the present invention provides a laminated film comprising at least a gas barrier layer and an inorganic polymer layer being laminated on a resin substrate, wherein a Y value calculated from a transmission electron microscope image of a cross section of the inorganic polymer layer by the following procedures (a) to (d) is 0.220 or less. (a) A standard deviation (σ) of the contrast of an electron beam-unirradiated part of the inorganic polymer layer is calculated. (b) An electron beam-irradiated part of the inorganic polymer layer is divided into twenty so that divided ones have a film thickness equal in a film thickness direction, and a standard deviation (σn: standard deviation of n.sup.th division, n=1˜20) of the contrast of each divided part is calculated. (c) Xn (n=1˜20) of each divided part is calculated from the expression (1).

Xn=σn/σ(n=1˜20)  (1) (d) A standard deviation of X3 to X18 is defined as Y.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laminated film which can prevent permeation of the water vapor at the higher level, and the present invention provides a laminated film comprising at least a gas barrier layer and an inorganic polymer layer being laminated on a resin substrate, wherein a Y value calculated from a transmission electron microscope image of a cross section of the inorganic polymer layer by the following procedures (a) to (d) is 0.220 or less. (a) A standard deviation (σ) of the contrast of an electron beam-unirradiated part of the inorganic polymer layer is calculated. (b) An electron beam-irradiated part of the inorganic polymer layer is divided into twenty so that divided ones have a film thickness equal in a film thickness direction, and a standard deviation (σn: standard deviation of n.sup.th division, n=1˜20) of the contrast of each divided part is calculated. (c) Xn (n=1˜20) of each divided part is calculated from the expression (1).

Xn=σn/σ(n=1˜20)  (1) (d) A standard deviation of X3 to X18 is defined as Y.

The objective of the present invention is to maintain the surrounding of a sample at atmospheric pressure and efficiently detect secondary electrons. In a sample chamber of a charged particle device, a sample holder (4) has: a gas introduction pipe and a gas evacuation pipe for controlling the vicinity of a sample (20) to be an atmospheric pressure environment; a charged particle passage hole (18) and a micro-orifice (18) enabling detection of secondary electrons (15) emitted from the sample (20), co-located above the sample (20); and a charged particle passage hole (19) with a hole diameter larger than the micro-orifice (18) above the sample (20) so as to be capable of actively evacuating gas during gas introduction.