A multi-beam apparatus for observing a sample with high resolution and high throughput is proposed. In the apparatus, a source-conversion unit forms plural and parallel images of one single electron source by deflecting plural beamlets of a parallel primary-electron beam therefrom, and one objective lens focuses the plural deflected beamlets onto a sample surface and forms plural probe spots thereon. A movable condenser lens is used to collimate the primary-electron beam and vary the currents of the plural probe spots, a pre-beamlet-forming means weakens the Coulomb effect of the primary-electron beam, and the source-conversion unit minimizes the sizes of the plural probe spots by minimizing and compensating the off-axis aberrations of the objective lens and condenser lens.

A multi-beam apparatus for observing a sample with high resolution and high throughput is proposed. In the apparatus, a source-conversion unit forms plural and parallel images of one single electron source by deflecting plural beamlets of a parallel primary-electron beam therefrom, and one objective lens focuses the plural deflected beamlets onto a sample surface and forms plural probe spots thereon. A movable condenser lens is used to collimate the primary-electron beam and vary the currents of the plural probe spots, a pre-beamlet-forming means weakens the Coulomb effect of the primary-electron beam, and the source-conversion unit minimizes the sizes of the plural probe spots by minimizing and compensating the off-axis aberrations of the objective lens and condenser lens.

The invention relates to a particle beam device (100) for imaging, analyzing and/or processing an object (114). The particle beam device (100) comprises a first particle beam generator (300) for generating a first particle beam, wherein the first particle beam generator (300) has a first generator beam axis (301), wherein an optical axis (OA) of the particle beam device (100) and the first generator beam axis (301) are identical; a second particle beam generator (400) for generating a second particle beam, wherein the second particle beam generator (400) has a second generator beam axis (401), wherein the optical axis (OA) and the second generator beam axis (401) are arranged at an angle being different from 0° and 180°; a deflection unit (500) for deflecting the second particle beam from the second generator beam axis (401) to the optical axis (OA) and along the optical axis (OA), wherein the deflection unit (500) has a first opening (501) and a second opening (502) being different from the first opening (501), wherein the optical axis (OA) runs through the first opening (501), wherein the second generator beam axis (401) runs through the second opening (502); an objective lens (107) for focusing the first particle beam or the second particle beam onto the object (114), wherein the optical axis (OA) runs through the objective lens (107); and at least one detector (116, 121, 122) for detecting interaction particles and/or interaction radiation.

A multiple particle beam system with a mirror mode of operation, a method for operating a multiple particle beam system with a mirror mode of operation and an associated computer program product are disclosed. The multiple particle beam system can be operated in different mirror modes of operation which allow the multiple particle beam system to be inspected and recalibrated thoroughly. A detection system configured to operate in a first detection mode and/or in a second detection mode is used for the analysis.

In one embodiment, a charged particle beam drawing apparatus deflects a charged particle beam with a deflector to draw a pattern. The apparatus includes a storage unit that stores an approximate formula indicating a correspondence relationship between a settling time for a DAC amplifier that controls the deflector, and a position shift amount, from a design position, of a drawn position of each evaluation pattern drawn on a first substrate while the settling time and an amount of deflection by the deflector are changed, a shot position correction unit that creates a correction formula indicating a relationship between an amount of deflection and a shot position shift amount at the settling time, from the approximate formula and the settling time for the DAC amplifier based on an amount of deflection of a shot, obtains a position correction amount by using the amount of deflection of the shot and the correction formula, and corrects a shot position defined by the shot data based on the position correction amount, and a drawing unit that performs drawing by using the shot data with a corrected shot position.

A scanning electron microscopy system is disclosed. The system includes a sample stage configured to secure a sample having conducting structures disposed on an insulating substrate. The system includes an electron-optical column including an electron source configured to generate a primary electron beam and a set of electron-optical elements configured to direct at least a portion of the primary electron beam onto a portion of the sample. The system includes a detector assembly configured to detect electrons emanating from the surface of the sample. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the detector assembly. The controller is configured to direct the electron-optical column and stage to perform, with the primary electron beam, an alternating series of image scans and flood scans of the portion of the sample, wherein each of the flood scans are performed sequential to one or more of the imaging scans.

A method of forming a plasma processing apparatus comprises providing a chamber, the chamber including a wall defining an interior, and a viewport extending through the wall. An analysis apparatus connected to the viewport may be formed. The analysis apparatus includes an analyzer adjacent to the chamber, a probe connected to the analyzer and aligned with the viewport, and a first window aligned with the probe, the first window having a first surface, and a second surface at an opposite side relative to the first surface, the second surface being exposed to the interior of the chamber, and the second surface of the first window has a scattering surface.

The system described herein relates to a particle beam apparatus for analyzing and/or for processing an object and to a method for operating a particle beam apparatus. The particle beam apparatus is designed for example as an electron beam apparatus and/or an ion beam apparatus. The particle beam apparatus comprises a beam deflection device, for example an objective lens, which is provided with a first coil and a second coil. The first coil is operated with a first coil current. The second coil is operated with a second coil current. The first coil current and/or the second coil current may always be controlled in such a way that the sum of the first coil current and the second coil current (the summation current) or the difference between the first coil current and the second coil current (the difference current) is controlled to a setpoint value.

The present invention is related to an apparatus for transporting a charged particle beam. The apparatus may include means for scanning the charged particle beam on a target, a dipole magnet arranged upstream of the means for scanning, at least three quadrupole lenses arranged between the dipole magnet and the means for scanning and means for adjusting the field strength of said at least three quadrupole lenses in function of the scanning angle of the charged particle beam. The apparatus can be made at least single achromatic.

To improve the workability of the task of adjusting the position of a limit field diaphragm. An electron microscope provided with an image-capturing means for capturing an image of an observation visual field prior to insertion of a limit field diaphragm as a map image, a recording means for recording the map image, an extraction means for capturing an image of the observation visual field after insertion of the limit field diaphragm and extracting the outline of the diaphragm, a drawing means for drawing the outline on the map image, and a display means for displaying the image drawn by the drawing means.