METHOD OF ELIMINATING THERMALLY INDUCED BEAM DRIFT IN AN ELECTRON BEAM SEPARATOR

Abstract

These electron beam separator designs address thermally-induced beam drift in an electron-optical system. A heater coil wrapped around the beam separator unit can maintain constant power. Additional coils also can be wrapped around the beam separator in a bifilar manner, which can maintain constant power in the beam separator coils. Wien power can be determined, and then heater coil current can be determined.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: an electron beam separator; a ceramic divider disposed on the electron beam separator; a set of electrostatic plates in an octupole arrangement disposed on the ceramic divider; a first separator coil pair disposed around the ceramic divider and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator; a second separator coil pair disposed around the ceramic divider and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator, orthogonal to the first separator coil pair; a heater coil disposed around the electron beam separator; and a power source configured to provide a heater coil current to the heater coil.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor, and wherein the processor is configured to: determine a Wien power based on a first equation:
P.sub.wien=l.sub.x.sup.2R.sub.x+l.sub.y.sup.2R.sub.y; wherein P.sub.wien is the Wien power, I.sub.x is the current of the first separator coil pair, R.sub.x is the resistance of the first separator coil pair, I.sub.y is the current of the second separator coil pair, and R.sub.y is the resistance of the second separator coil pair; and determine the heater coil current based on a second equation: $I_{\mathrm{heater}}=\sqrt{\frac{P-P_{\mathrm{wien}}}{R_{\mathrm{heater}}}};$ wherein I.sub.heater is the heater coil current, P is the target power, P.sub.wien is the Wien power, and R.sub.heater is the resistance of the heater coil.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the heater coil current creates a magnetic field that causes a beam deflection, and the processor is further configured to: measure the beam deflection; and calibrate the electron beam separator based on the beam deflection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater coil is nichrome.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater coil is copper.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a winding pitch of the heater coil is from 8 to 10 turns per inch.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater coil is a 24 gauge wire.

8. An apparatus comprising: an electron beam separator; a ceramic divider disposed on the electron beam separator; a set of electrostatic plates in an octupole arrangement disposed on the ceramic divider; a first separator coil pair disposed around the ceramic divider and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator; a second separator coil pair disposed around the ceramic divider and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator, orthogonal to the first separator coil pair; and a power source configured to provide a heater coil current; wherein the first separator coil pair and the second separator coil pair are bifilar, each comprising a separator coil and a heater coil; and wherein the heater coil current is provided to the heater coils of the first separator coil pair and the second separator coil pair.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a processor, and wherein the processor is configured to determine a current provided by the power source.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a curvature of the first separator coil and the second separator coil is 120.

11. A method of reducing thermal induced beam drift in an electron beam comprising: providing an electron beam separator comprising: a ceramic divider disposed on an electron beam apparatus; a set of electrostatic plates in an octupole arrangement disposed on the ceramic divider; a first separator coil pair disposed around the ceramic divider and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator; a second separator coil pair disposed around the ceramic divider and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator, orthogonal to the first separator coil pair; a heater coil disposed around the electron beam separator; and a power source configured to provide a heater coil current; determining, using a processor, a wien power based on a first equation:
P.sub.wien=l.sub.x.sup.2R.sub.x+l.sub.y.sup.2R.sub.y; wherein P.sub.wien is the Wien power, I.sub.x is the current of the first separator coil pair, R.sub.x is the resistance of the first separator coil pair, I.sub.y is the current of the second separator coil pair, and R.sub.y is the resistance of the second separator coil pair; and determining, using the processor, a heater coil current based on a second equation: $I_{\mathrm{heater}}=\sqrt{\frac{P-P_{\mathrm{wien}}}{R_{\mathrm{heater}}}};$ wherein I.sub.heater is the heater coil current, P is the target power, P.sub.wien is the Wien power, and R.sub.heater is the resistance of the heater coil; and providing the heater coil current to the heater coil via the power source.

12. The method to claim 11, wherein the heater coil current creates a magnetic field that causes a beam deflection, and the method further comprises: measuring the beam deflection using the processor; and calibrating the electron beam separator using the processor based on the beam deflection.

13. The method to claim 11, wherein deflection correction is determined, and wherein determining the deflection correction includes: determining heater coil current based on a constant power equation; applying the heater coil current; measuring beam deflection; determining a zero deflection condition slope; and adjusting a coil current to the electron beam separator based on the zero deflection condition slope.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electron beam separator in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the first embodiment of an electron beam separator in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an electron beam separator in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a thermal simulation of the first embodiment of the electron beam separator;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a thermal simulation of the second embodiment of the electron beam separator;

[0033] FIGS. 6(a)-6(d) include a series of charts illustrating Wien power and corresponding heater current;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a chart showing pixel shift over time for the first embodiment of the beam separator with the high current off;

[0035] FIG. 8 shows a chart of the Wien temperature and Wien temperature statistics for the first embodiment of the electron beam separator with high current off;

[0036] FIG. 9 shows a chart of enclosure temperature and the enclosure temperature statistics for the first embodiment of the electron beam separator with high current off;

[0037] FIG. 10 is a chart showing pixel shift over time for the first embodiment of the electron beam separator with the high current on;

[0038] FIG. 11 shows a chart of the Wien temperature and Wien temperature statistics for the first embodiment of the electron beam separator with high current on;

[0039] FIG. 12 shows a chart of enclosure temperature and the enclosure temperature statistics for the first embodiment of the electron beam separator with high current on;

[0040] FIG. 13 shows thermally-induced drift prior to correction;

[0041] FIG. 14 shows thermally-induced drift correction;

[0042] FIG. 15 is a chart of heater coil zero deflection condition;

[0043] FIG. 16 is a chart of impact on constant power due to correction with a theoretical ideal condition;

[0044] FIG. 17 is a chart of impact on constant power due to correction with new total power condition after correction;

[0045] FIG. 18 is a chart of impact on constant power due to correction in a hypothetical instance where both the X and Y coils are used to compensate for deflection;

[0046] FIG. 19 is an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0047] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of an embodiment of a system configured as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0048] Although claimed subject matter will be described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Various structural, logical, process step, and electronic changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0049] Embodiments disclosed herein resolve thermally-induced beam drift in an electron-optical system that has a beam separator is used. A heater coil wrapped around the beam separator unit can maintain constant power. Small magnetic field deflection can be compensated for without impacting constant power mode operation. Additional coils also can be wrapped around the beam separator in a bifilar manner, which can maintain constant power in the beam separator coils. Thermally-induced beam drift in an electron beam separator can be reduced or eliminated, which provides an inherently stable system. Any residual magnetic field based deflection can be calibrated out.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electron beam separator 100. The electron beam separator 100 can separate the multiple electron signals emanating from the surface of a sample from the one or more primary electron beams. The electron beam separator 100 can have an electrostatic deflector (not illustrated). The electrostatic defector can have an asymmetric quadrupole configuration or a symmetric quadrupole configuration. An asymmetric configuration generates a unidirectional deflection field and a symmetric configuration generates a bidirectional deflection field. In one embodiment, the asymmetric quadrupole electrostatic deflector deflects a secondary electron beam separated from the optical axis of electron beam device (i.e., the primary electron beam) by electron beam separator 100. In one embodiment, the asymmetric quadrupole electrostatic deflector of electron beam separator 100 deflects the separated secondary electron beam into a detector array.

[0051] The electron beam separator 100 includes at least one ceramic divider 102 (illustrated in FIG. 2). The ceramic divider 102 is disposed on the electron beam separator 100.

[0052] A set of electrostatic plates (which can be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 3) in the center of the electron beam separator 100 in an octupole arrangement are disposed on the ceramic divider 102. The ceramic divider 102 can hold the electrostatic plates in place.

[0053] A first separator coil pair 104 is disposed around the ceramic divider 101 and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator 100. In an instance, the first separator coil pair 104 is wrapped around the ceramic divider 101. For example, the first separator coil pair 104 can be bent and wrapped in a desired position.

[0054] A second separator coil pair 105 is disposed around the ceramic divider 101 and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator 100. The second separator coil pair 105 may be orthogonal to the first separator coil pair 104. In an instance, the second separator coil pair 105 is wrapped around the ceramic divider 101. For example, the second separator coil pair 105 can be bent and wrapped in a desired position.

[0055] A heater coil 106 is disposed around the electron beam separator 100. In an instance, the heater coil 106 is wrapped around the electron beam separator 100. The exact position of the heater coil 106 relative to the electron beam separator 100 and the number of loops can vary from that illustrated.

[0056] A single heater coil 106 is illustrated in FIG. 1 wrapping around the electron beam separator 100. In another instance, two or more heater coils 106 may be used.

[0057] The heater coil 106 can provide thermal stability for the electron beam separator 100. For example, the current flowing through the heater coils 106 can be controlled such that the whole electron beam separator 100 maintains a temperature during operation within a certain tolerance. For example, this tolerance may be 1 C. or may be 0.25 C.

[0058] The winding pitch of the heater coil 106 can reduce deflection. In an instance, the winding pitch is from 8 to 10 turns per inch. However, the winding pitch can be from 1 to 20 turns per inch or other values.

[0059] In an example, the heater coil 106 are made of a 24 gauge nichrome wire. In another example, the heater coil 106 is a copper wire. Other materials or gauges for the heater coil 106 are possible. The gauge can be determined based on the necessary voltage, current, or temperature effects. Thus, the gauge can be from, for example, 12 to 30 gauge, though other gauges are possible.

[0060] A power source 107 is configured to provide a heater coil current to the heater coil 106. The power source 107 can be configured to provide a desired output 0.6 A.

[0061] A processor 108 also can be included. The processor 108 can be configured to determine a Wien power based on Equation 1.

P.sub.wien=l.sub.x.sup.2R.sub.x+l.sub.y.sup.2R.sub.yEquation 1

[0062] In Equation 1, P.sub.wien is the Wien power, I.sub.x is the current of the first separator coil pair 104, R.sub.x is the resistance of the first separator coil pair 104, I.sub.y is the current of the second separator coil pair 105, and R.sub.y is the resistance of the second separator coil pair 105.

[0063] The processor 108 also can be configured to determine the heater coil current for the heater coil 106 based on Equation 2.

[00003]$\begin{array}{cc}{I}_{\mathrm{heater}}=\sqrt{\frac{P-P_{\mathrm{wien}}}{R_{\mathrm{heater}}}}& \mathrm{Equation}.Math..Math.2\end{array}$

[0064] In Equation 2, I.sub.heater is the heater coil current, P is the target power, P.sub.wien is the Wien power, and R.sub.heater is the resistance of the heater coil 106.

[0065] The heater coil current in the heater coil 106 can create a magnetic field that causes a beam deflection. The processor can be further configured to measure the beam deflection and calibrate the electron beam separator 100 based on the beam deflection. In an instance, the electron beam separator 100 can be set to optimal. The heater coil current is determined based on a constant power equation. This determined heater coil current is applied, and beam deflection is measured. Separator coil is plotted against heater coil, and the zero deflection condition slope is determined. Coil current to the electron beam separator 100 is then adjusted based on the slope in an appropriate direction.

[0066] Note that the largest operating power for the coils, P, may be equal to a sum of P.sub.wien and P.sub.heater.

[0067] R.sub.x may be equal to R.sub.y, which is 1 ohm in an example. R.sub.heater is 30 ohm in an example. I.sub.heater is the determined heater coil current, which is shown in FIG. 6.

[0068] The heater coil 106 can be wound in a twisted par fashion to minimize any beam deflection due to the magnetic field. The small residual magnetic field may cause a small amount of deflection, but can be calibrated out with minimal impact on constant power operation or temperature. The method of such compensation is shown in FIGS. 13-15 and impact on constant power shown in FIGS. 16-18.

[0069] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the electron beam separator 100. A single heater coil 106 wrapped around the electron beam separator 100 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The heater coil 106 may spiral around the electron beam separator 100. The first separator coil pair 104 and the second separator coil pair 105 are illustrated as being inside another component, but also may be exposed on both ends.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an electron beam separator 200. The electron beam separator 200 includes at least one ceramic divider 202. The ceramic divider 202 can hold the first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205 in place.

[0071] A set of electrostatic plates 203 in an octupole arrangement (labeled 1-8 in FIG. 3) are disposed on the ceramic divider 202. The ceramic divider 202 can hold the electrostatic plates 203 in place.

[0072] A first separator coil pair 204 is disposed around the ceramic divider 202 and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator 200. For example, the first separator coil pair 204 may be bent in place such that a tight fit is provided.

[0073] A second separator coil pair 205 is disposed around the ceramic divider 201 and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator 200. The second separator coil pair 205 may be orthogonal to the first separator coil pair 204 and may be wound on the first separator coil pair 204. For example, the second separator coil pair 205 may be bent in place such that a tight fit is provided.

[0074] The first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205 are bifilar in this embodiment. Each of the first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205 include a separator coil 209 and a heater coil 206, which are shaded differently in FIG. 3.

[0075] By bifilar, the first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205 are closely spaced, parallel windings. The spacing may be determined by the gauge of the windings.

[0076] There may be a particular overlap of the four coils used in the first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205. An example of the overlap is shown in FIG. 3.

[0077] A curvature of approximately 120 around the electron beam separator 200 may be used. This curvature may be 0.2.

[0078] A constant power may be applied to the first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205. For example, the power may be applied such that Equations 3-6 are satisfied.

[00004]$\begin{array}{cc}{I}_{u.Math..Math.1}=\frac{1}{R_{u.Math..Math.1}+R_{u.Math..Math.2}}\left[I_{\mathrm{set}.Math..Math.1}.Math.R_{u.Math..Math.2}+\sqrt{\left(R_{u.Math..Math.1}+R_{u.Math..Math.2}\right).Math.P-R_{u.Math..Math.1}.Math.R_{u.Math..Math.2}.Math.I_{\mathrm{set}.Math..Math.2}}\right]& \mathrm{Equation}.Math..Math.3\\ .Math.I_{u.Math..Math.2}=I_{\mathrm{set}.Math..Math.1}-I_{u.Math..Math.1}& \mathrm{Equation}.Math..Math.4\\ I_{l.Math..Math.1}=\frac{1}{R_{l.Math..Math.1}+R_{l.Math..Math.2}}\left[I_{\mathrm{set}.Math..Math.2}.Math.R_{l.Math..Math.2}+\sqrt{\left(R_{l.Math..Math.1}+R_{l.Math..Math.2}\right).Math.P-R_{l.Math..Math.1}.Math.R_{l.Math..Math.2}.Math.I_{\mathrm{set}.Math..Math.2}}\right]& \mathrm{Equation}.Math..Math.5\\ .Math.I_{l.Math..Math.2}=I_{\mathrm{set}.Math..Math.2}-I_{l.Math..Math.1}& \mathrm{Equation}.Math..Math.6\end{array}$

[0079] In Equations 3-6, P is the power required, R.sub.u1 is the resistance of the first coil in 204, R.sub.u2 is the resistance of the second coil in 204, R.sub.l1 is the resistance of the first coil in 205, R.sub.l2 is the resistance of the second coil in 205, I.sub.u1 is the current of the first coil in 204, I.sub.u2 is the current of the second coil in 204, I.sub.l1 is the current of the first coil in 205, I.sub.l2 is the current of the second coil in 205, L.sub.set1 is the set current in 204, and L.sub.set2 is the set current in 205.

[0080] A power source 207 is configured to provide a heater coil current to the heater coils 206 of the first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205. The power source 207 can be configured to provide a desired output 0.6 A.

[0081] A processor 208 also can be included. The processor 108 can be configured to determine a power for the power source 207. For example, the processor 208 can be configured to determine the heater coil current to the first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205 based on Equations 1 and 2.

[0082] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the currents flowing in each of the first separator coil pair 204 and the second separator coil pair 205 are computed from a constant power equation which considers the desired power required and resistances of each coil in the bifilar winding.

[0083] While described with respect to an electron beam, the electron beam separator 100 and electron beam separator 200 also can be used as ion beam separators.

[0084] FIG. 4 is a thermal equilibrium simulation of the electron beam separator 100 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. In the thermal equilibrium simulation of FIG. 4, a potted coil with the heater coil was used at an operating power of 2 W. FIG. 5 is a thermal equilibrium simulation of the electron beam separator 200 of FIG. 3. The various shadings in the legend represent temperatures. In the thermal equilibrium simulation of FIG. 5, an operating power of 2 W was used with the bifilar coil. In both FIGS. 4 and 5, steady state thermal condition is reached during normal operation. No residual beam deflection occurred in these simulations.

[0085] FIGS. 6(a)-6(d) include a series of charts illustrating Wien power and corresponding heater current. In these examples, I.sub.x equals I.sub.y, which is 1.5 A. R.sub.x equals R.sub.y, which is 1 Ohm. The R.sub.heater coil is 30 Ohm. Based on the results, constant power is maintained across all combination of currents.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a chart showing pixel shift over time for the first embodiment of the beam separator with the high current off. FIG. 8 shows a chart of the Wien temperature and Wien temperature statistics for the first embodiment of the beam separator with high current off. FIG. 9 shows a chart of enclosure temperature and the enclosure temperature statistics for the first embodiment of the beam separator with high current off.

[0087] FIG. 10 is a chart showing pixel shift over time for the first embodiment of the beam separator with the high current on. FIG. 11 shows a chart of the Wien temperature and Wien temperature statistics for the first embodiment of the beam separator with high current on. FIG. 12 shows a chart of enclosure temperature and the enclosure temperature statistics for the first embodiment of the beam separator with high current on.

[0088] The impact of heater coil is shown in FIGS. 7-12. A reduction in beam drift is observed. These results show a three sigma temperature trend with 0.25. The slope of the chart in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 show the reduction in beam drift.

[0089] FIG. 13 shows thermally-induced drift prior to correction. FIG. 14 shows thermally-induced drift correction. The drift correction can be performed as described with respect to FIG. 1. In the examples of FIGS. 13 and 14, the target power was 4 W, R.sub.x was 1 Ohm, R.sub.y was 1 Ohm, and R.sub.heater was 30 Ohm.

[0090] FIG. 15 is a chart of heater coil zero deflection condition. These results, combined with those of FIGS. 13 and 14, demonstrate that heated-related defection can be compensated for with minimal impact to constant power.

[0091] In an instance, the method used in FIGS. 13-15 included setting the electron beam separator to an optimal setting. Heater coil current is determined based on a constant power equation and applied. Beam deflection is measured. Separator coil versus heater coil is plotted. A zero deflection condition slow is extracted. The beam separator coil current is then adjusted based on the slope in the appropriate direction.

[0092] FIG. 16 is a chart of impact on constant power due to correction with a theoretical ideal condition. FIG. 17 is a chart of impact on constant power due to correction with new total power condition after correction. FIG. 18 is a chart of impact on constant power due to correction in a hypothetical instance where both the X and Y coils are used to compensate for deflection. As seen in FIGS. 16-18, compensation heater coil small deflections using the x or y coils has minimal impact on constant power condition.

[0093] FIG. 19 is an embodiment of a method 300 to reduce thermal induced beam drift in an electron beam. An electron beam separator is provided at 301. The electron beam separator can include a ceramic divider disposed on an electron beam apparatus; a set of electrostatic plates in an octupole arrangement disposed on the ceramic divider; a first separator coil pair disposed around the ceramic divider and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator; a second separator coil pair disposed around the ceramic and arranged on opposite sides of the electron beam separator, orthogonal to the first separator coil pair; a heater coil disposed around the electron beam separator; and a power source configured to provide a heater coil current.

[0094] Wien power is determined at 302, such as using a processor. This can use Equation 1.

[0095] Heater coil current is determined at 303, such as using the processor. This can use Equation 2.

[0096] The heater coil current is provided to the heater coil via the power source at 304.

[0097] The heater coil current can create a magnetic field that causes a beam deflection. In this instance, the beam deflection can be measured, such as using the processor. The electron beam separator can be calibrated using the processor based on the beam deflection.

[0098] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of an embodiment of a system. The imaging system 400 may be an electron beam based imaging system. In this manner, in some embodiments, the input images are generated by an electron beam based imaging system. The imaging system 400 includes electron column 401 coupled to computer subsystem 402. As also shown in FIG. 20, the electron column 401 includes electron beam source 403 configured to generate electrons that are focused to specimen 404 by one or more elements 405. In one embodiment, the specimen 404 is a wafer. The wafer may include any wafer known in the art. In another embodiment, the specimen 404 is a reticle. The reticle may include any reticle known in the art.

[0099] The electron beam source 403 may include, for example, a cathode source or emitter tip, and one or more elements 405 may include, for example, a gun lens, an anode, a beam limiting aperture, a gate valve, a beam current selection aperture, an objective lens, and a scanning subsystem, all of which may include any such suitable elements known in the art.

[0100] Electrons returned from the specimen 404 (e.g., secondary electrons) may be focused by one or more elements 406 to detector 407. One or more elements 406 may include, for example, a scanning subsystem, which may be the same scanning subsystem included in element(s) 405.

[0101] The electron column 401 may include any other suitable elements known in the art, including the electron beam separator 100 or electron beam separator 200.

[0102] Although the electron column 401 is shown in FIG. 20 as being configured such that the electrons are directed to the specimen 404 at an oblique angle of incidence and are scattered from the specimen 404 at another oblique angle, the electron beam may be directed to and scattered from the specimen 404 at any suitable angles. In addition, the electron beam based imaging system 400 may be configured to use multiple modes to generate images of the specimen 404 (e.g., with different illumination angles, collection angles, etc.). The multiple modes of the electron beam based imaging system 400 may be different in any image generation parameters of the imaging system.

[0103] Computer subsystem 402 may be coupled to detector 407 in any suitable manner (e.g., via one or more transmission media, which may include wired and/or wireless transmission media) such that the computer subsystem 402 can receive the output generated by the detector 407 during scanning of the specimen 404. Computer subsystem 402 may be configured to perform a number of functions using the output of the detector 407. The detector 407 may detect electrons returned from the surface of the specimen 404 thereby forming electron beam images of the specimen 404. The electron beam images may include any suitable electron beam images. Computer subsystem 402 may be configured to perform one or more functions for the specimen 404 using output generated by detector 407.

[0104] The computer subsystem 402 shown in FIG. 20 may take various forms, including a personal computer system, image computer, mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, internet appliance, or other device. In general, the term computer system may be broadly defined to encompass any device having one or more processors, which executes instructions from a memory medium. The computer subsystem(s) or system(s) may also include any suitable processor known in the art such as a parallel processor. In addition, the computer subsystem(s) or system(s) may include a computer platform with high speed processing and software, either as a standalone or a networked tool.

[0105] If the imaging system 400 includes more than one computer subsystem 402, then the different computer subsystems may be coupled to each other such that images, data, information, instructions, etc. can be sent between the computer subsystems. Two or more of such computer subsystems may also be effectively coupled by a shared computer-readable storage medium (not shown).

[0106] It is noted that FIG. 20 is provided herein to generally illustrate a configuration of an electron beam based imaging system 400 that may be included in the embodiments described herein. The electron beam based imaging system 400 configuration described herein may be altered to optimize the performance of the imaging system as is normally performed when designing a commercial imaging system. In addition, the systems described herein may be implemented using an existing system (e.g., by adding functionality described herein to an existing system). For some such systems, the embodiments described herein may be provided as optional functionality of the system (e.g., in addition to other functionality of the system).

[0107] The electron beam based imaging system 400 also may be configured as an ion beam based imaging system. Such an imaging system may be configured as shown in FIG. 20 except that the electron beam source 403 may be replaced with any suitable ion beam source known in the art. In addition, the imaging system may be any other suitable ion beam based imaging system such as those included in commercially available focused ion beam (FIB) systems, helium ion microscopy (HIM) systems, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) systems.

[0108] Each of the steps of the method may be performed as described herein. The methods also may include any other step(s) that can be performed by the processor and/or computer subsystem(s) or system(s) described herein. The steps can be performed by one or more computer systems, which may be configured according to any of the embodiments described herein. In addition, the methods described above may be performed by any of the system embodiments described herein.

[0109] Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present disclosure may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Hence, the present disclosure is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable interpretation thereof.