Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for performing electron beam reactive plasma etching (EBRPE). In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing EBRPE processes includes an electrode formed from a material having a high secondary electron emission coefficient. In another embodiment, an electrode is movably disposed within a process volume of a process chamber and capable of being positioned at a non-parallel angle relative to a pedestal opposing the electrode. In another embodiment, a pedestal is movably disposed with a process volume of a process chamber and capable of being positioned at a non-parallel angle relative to an electrode opposing the pedestal. Electrons emitted from the electrode are accelerated toward a substrate disposed on the pedestal to induce etching of the substrate.

A charged-particle microscope, comprising a vacuum chamber in which are provided: A specimen holder for holding a specimen in an irradiation position; A particle-optical column, for producing a charged particle beam and directing it so as to irradiate the specimen; A detector, for detecting a flux of radiation emanating from the specimen in response to irradiation by said beam,
wherein: Said vacuum chamber comprises an in situ magnetron sputter deposition module, comprising a magnetron sputter source for producing a vapor stream of target material; A stage is configured to move a sample comprising at least part of said specimen between said irradiation position and a separate deposition position at said deposition module; Said deposition module is configured to deposit a layer of said target material onto said sample when held at said deposition position.

A virtual cathode deposition apparatus utilises virtual plasma cathode for generation of high density electron beam to ablate a solid target. A high voltage electrical pulse ionizes gas to produce a plasma which temporarily appears in front of the target and serves as the virtual plasma cathode at the vicinity of target. This plasma then disappears allowing the ablated target material in a form of a plasma plume to propagate toward the substrate. Several virtual cathodes operating in parallel provide plumes that merge into a uniform plasma which when condensing on a nearby substrate leads to wide area deposition of a uniform thickness thin film.

A method for the surface treatment of a substrate surface of a substrate includes arranging the substrate surface in a process chamber, bombarding the substrate surface with an ion beam, generated by an ion beam source and aimed at the substrate surface, to remove impurities from the substrate surface, whereby the ion beam has a first component, and introducing a second component into the process chamber to bind the removed impurities. A device for the surface treatment of a substrate surface of a substrate includes a process chamber for receiving the substrate, an ion beam source for generating an ion beam that has a first component and is aimed at the substrate surface to remove impurities from the substrate surface, and means to introduce a second component into the process chamber to bind the removed impurities.

A method for the surface treatment of a substrate surface of a substrate includes arranging the substrate surface in a process chamber, bombarding the substrate surface with an ion beam, generated by an ion beam source and aimed at the substrate surface, to remove impurities from the substrate surface, whereby the ion beam has a first component, and introducing a second component into the process chamber to bind the removed impurities. A device for the surface treatment of a substrate surface of a substrate includes a process chamber for receiving the substrate, an ion beam source for generating an ion beam that has a first component and is aimed at the substrate surface to remove impurities from the substrate surface, and means to introduce a second component into the process chamber to bind the removed impurities.

Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for performing electron beam reactive plasma etching (EBRPE). In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing EBRPE processes includes an electrode formed from a material having a high secondary electron emission coefficient. In another embodiment, an electrode is movably disposed within a process volume of a process chamber and capable of being positioned at a non-parallel angle relative to a pedestal opposing the electrode. In another embodiment, a pedestal is movably disposed with a process volume of a process chamber and capable of being positioned at a non-parallel angle relative to an electrode opposing the pedestal. Electrons emitted from the electrode are accelerated toward a substrate disposed on the pedestal to induce etching of the substrate.

A method for the surface treatment of a substrate surface of a substrate includes arranging the substrate surface in a process chamber, bombarding the substrate surface with an ion beam, generated by an ion beam source and aimed at the substrate surface, to remove impurities from the substrate surface, whereby the ion beam has a first component, and introducing a second component into the process chamber to bind the removed impurities. A device for the surface treatment of a substrate surface of a substrate includes a process chamber for receiving the substrate, an ion beam source for generating an ion beam that has a first component and is aimed at the substrate surface to remove impurities from the substrate surface, and means to introduce a second component into the process chamber to bind the removed impurities.

A charged-particle microscope, comprising a vacuum chamber in which are provided: A specimen holder for holding a specimen in an irradiation position; A particle-optical column, for producing a charged particle beam and directing it so as to irradiate the specimen; A detector, for detecting a flux of radiation emanating from the specimen in response to irradiation by said beam,
wherein: Said vacuum chamber comprises an in situ magnetron sputter deposition module, comprising a magnetron sputter source for producing a vapor stream of target material; A stage is configured to move a sample comprising at least part of said specimen between said irradiation position and a separate deposition position at said deposition module; Said deposition module is configured to deposit a layer of said target material onto said sample when held at said deposition position.

A virtual cathode deposition apparatus utilises virtual plasma cathode for generation of high density electron beam to ablate a solid target. A high voltage electrical pulse ionizes gas to produce a plasma which temporarily appears in front of the target and serves as the virtual plasma cathode at the vicinity of target. This plasma then disappears allowing the ablated target material in a form of a plasma plume to propagate toward the substrate. Several virtual cathodes operating in parallel provide plumes that merge into a uniform plasma which when condensing on a nearby substrate leads to wide area deposition of a uniform thickness thin film.

A method for the surface treatment of a substrate surface of a substrate includes arranging the substrate surface in a process chamber, bombarding the substrate surface with an ion beam, generated by an ion beam source and aimed at the substrate surface, to remove impurities from the substrate surface, whereby the ion beam has a first component, and introducing a second component into the process chamber to bind the removed impurities. A device for the surface treatment of a substrate surface of a substrate includes a process chamber for receiving the substrate, an ion beam source for generating an ion beam that has a first component and is aimed at the substrate surface to remove impurities from the substrate surface, and means to introduce a second component into the process chamber to bind the removed impurities.