A method and system for acquiring data from a pixelated image sensor for detecting charged particles. The method includes reading a pixel voltage of one or more of the multiple pixels multiple times without resetting the image sensor and digitizing the pixel into a first number of bits. The camera outputs a digitized compressed pixel voltage in a second, less, number of bits. The maximum range of the digitized compressed pixel voltage is less than a maximum range of the pixel voltage.

A measurement device that comprises a photoelectric conversion element and a signal processing part that receives, from the photoelectric conversion element, detected pulses that include dark pulses and signal pulses that are outputted in accordance with inputted photons. The signal processing part performs amplitude discrimination on the detected pulses on the basis of a pre-acquired dark pulse amplitude distribution for the photoelectric conversion element.

A charged particle beam device for imaging and/or inspecting a sample is described. The charged particle beam device includes a beam emitter for emitting a primary charged particle beam; a retarding field device for retarding the primary beam before impinging on the sample, the retarding field device including an objective lens and a proxy electrode; and a first detector for off-axial backscattered particles between the proxy electrode and the objective lens. The charged particle beam device is adapted for guiding the primary beam along an optical axis to the sample for releasing signal particles. The proxy electrode includes one opening allowing a passage of the primary charged particle beam and of the signal particles, wherein the one opening is sized to allow a passage of charged particles backscattered from the sample at angles from 0° to 20° or above relative to the optical axis. Further, a method for imaging and/or inspecting a sample with a charged particle beam device is described.

An electron beam inspection system is disclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The inspection system may include an electron beam source configured to generate one or more primary electron beams. The inspection system may also include an electron-optical column including a set of electron-optical elements configured to direct the one or more primary electron beams to a sample. The inspection system may further include a detection assembly comprising: a scintillator substrate configured to collect electrons emanating from the sample, the scintillator substrate configured to generate optical radiation in response to the collected electrons; one or more light guides; one or more reflective surfaces configured to receive the optical radiation and direct the optical radiation along the one or more light guides; and one or more detectors configured to receive the optical radiation from the light guide.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a sample inspection device and a sample inspection method, whereby noise is removed from a detection signal, and a generated electron beam is utilized effectively for inspection. A sample inspection device according to the present invention is provided with a light source for emitting frequency-modulated light, a photocathode for emitting an electron beam in response to receiving the frequency-modulated light, a detector for detecting electrons emitted from a sample irradiated by the electron beam and generating a detection signal, and a signal extractor for extracting a signal having a frequency corresponding to a modulation frequency of the frequency-modulated light from within the detection signal.

A volume interrogation system can use an accelerated beam of charged particles to interrogate objects using charged-particle attenuation and scattering tomography to screen items such as electronic devices, packages, baggage, industrial products, or food products for the presence of materials of interest inside. The apparatus, systems, and methods in this patent document can be employed in checkpoint applications to scan items. Such checkpoint applications can include border crossings, mass transit terminals (subways, buses, railways, ferries, etc.), and government and private-sector facilities.

A scanning electron microscope with a composite detection system and a specimen detection method. The scanning electron microscope includes a composite objective lens system including an immersion magnetic lens and an electro lens, configured to focus an initial electron beam to a specimen to form a convergent beam spot; a composite detection system located in the composite objective lens system; and a detection signal amplification and analysis system. A magnetic field of the immersion magnetic lens is immersed in the specimen; the electro lens is configured to decelerate the initial electron beam and focus the initial electron beam onto the specimen, and separate BSEs from a transmission path of an X-ray; the composite detection system is located below an inner pole piece of the immersion magnetic lens, is located above the control electrode, and includes an annular BSE detector and an annular X-ray detector that have a same axis center.

A charged particle beam device for imaging and/or inspecting a sample is described. The charged particle beam device includes a beam emitter for emitting a primary charged particle beam, the charged particle beam device adapted for guiding the primary charged particle beam along an optical axis to the sample for releasing signal particles; a retarding field device for retarding the primary charged particle beam before impinging on the sample, the retarding field device including an objective lens and a proxy electrode, wherein the proxy electrode includes an opening allowing a passage of the primary charged particle beam and of the signal particles; a first detector for off-axial backscattered particles between the proxy electrode and the objective lens; and a pre-amplifier for amplifying a signal of the first detector, wherein the pre-amplifier is at least one of (i) integrated with the first detector, (ii) arranged adjacent to the first detector inside a vacuum housing of the charged particle beam device, and (iii) fixedly mounted in a vacuum chamber of the charged particle beam device. Further, a method for imaging and/or inspecting a sample with a charged particle beam device is described.

A scanning electron microscope objective lens system is disclosed, which includes: a magnetic lens, a deflection device, a deflection control electrode, specimen to be observed, and a detection device; in which, The opening of the pole piece of the magnetic lens faces to the specimen; the deflection device is located in the magnetic lens, which includes at least one sub-deflector; the deflection control electrode is located between the detection device and the specimen, and the deflection control electrode is used to change the direction of the primary electron beam and the signal electrons generating from the specimen; the detection device comprises the first sub-detector for detecting the back-scattered electrons and the second sub-detector for detecting the second electrons. A specimen detection method is also disclosed.

A particle beam system is configured to perform a method which includes: preventing at least one of generation of induced particles and incidence of the induced particles onto a detection area of a detector configured to output a detection signal; generating a residual signal by processing the detection signal outputted during the preventing using a control value; adjusting, based on the residual signal, the control value so that the residual signal takes a value within a predetermined limited residual-signal target range; directing a primary particle beam onto an object while allowing generation of the induced particles due to the primary particle beam and incidence of the induced particles onto the detection area; generating a result signal by processing the detection signal outputted during the directing using the control value.