Integrated charge neutralization and imaging system

Claim 2

A focused ion beam system having alternating modes wherein, in a first, imaging mode, a primary ion beam is scanned in a predetermined pattern across the surface of a target thereby stimulating emission of secondary particles used for imaging said target and, in a second, charge neutralization mode, electrons are directed to said surface for neutralizing charge accumulated during said first mode, and comprising: means for providing said primary ion beam and focusing said ion beam at and orthogonally to said target surface in said first mode; means for controlling the voltage on said target surface; means for providing an electron beam in said second mode; an energy analyzer positioned directly above said target surface and including a ninety degree spherical electrostatic capacitor for directing secondary particles horizontally onto a horizontal axis in said first mode and for directing said electron beam vertically onto said target surface in the second mode, said capacitor having a vertical aperture through in the outer electrode thereof for allowing transmission of said primary ion beam in said first mode; imaging detector means for collecting said secondary particles in said first mode; an electrostatic lens on said horizontal axis for focusing said secondary particles into said imaging detector means in said first mode, and said electron beam into the image plane of said energy analyzer in said second mode; and an electrostatic deflector on said horizontal axis for directing said secondary particles into said imaging detector means in said first mode and for directing said electron beam onto the axis of said electrostatic lens in said second mode.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said secondary particles are secondary electrons and means are provided for supplying, during said first mode, voltages to said target surface, said energy analyzer, said electrostatic lens, and said electrostatic deflector for enabling said secondary electrons to be directed to said imaging detector means.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said imaging detector means for said secondary electrons comprises a channel electron multiplier.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said imaging detector means for said secondary electrons comprises a Faraday cup.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said imaging detector means for said secondary electrons comprises a scintillator-photomultiplier combination.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said secondary particles are secondary ions and means are provided for supplying, during said first mode, voltages to said target surface, said energy analyzer, said electrostatic lens, and said electrostatic deflector for enabling said secondary ions to be directed to said imaging detector means.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said detector means for said secondary ions comprises a channel electron multiplier.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said detector for said secondary ions comprises a Faraday cup.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said detector means for said secondary ions comprises a scintillator-photomultiplier combination.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said detector means for said secondary ions comprises a secondary ion mass spectrometer.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said secondary ion mass spectrometer is a radio frequency quadrupole.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said secondary ion mass spectrometer is a Wien filter.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrostatic deflector is an electrostatic quadrupole.

Claim 15

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrostatic lens is an einzel lens with both outer electrodes grounded.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrostatic energy analyzer is mounted within a grounded enclosure.

Claim 17

The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the bottom said grounded enclosure has a circular aperture aligned with the bottom of said vertical aperture of said energy analyzer, said enclosure aperture allowing passage of said electron beam towards said target surface in said second mode and passage of said secondary particles into said energy analyzer in said first mode.

Claim 18

The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein a side of said grounded enclosure has a circular aperture aligned with the axes of said electrostatic lens and said electrostatic deflector, said aperture allowing passage of said electron beam into said energy analyzer in said second mode and passage of said secondary particles into said electrostatic lens in said first mode.

Claim 19

A focused ion beam system having alternating modes wherein, in a first, imaging mode, a primary ion beam is scanned in a predetermined pattern across the surface of a target thereby stimulating emission of secondary particles used for imaging said target and, in a second, charge neutralization mode, electrons are directed to said surface for neutralizing charge accumulated during said first mode, and comprising: means for providing said primary ion beam and focusing said ion beam at and orthogonally to said target surface in said first mode; means for controlling the voltage on said target surface; means for providing an electron beam in said second mode; an energy analyzer positioned directly above said target surface and including a ninety degree spherical electrostatic capacitor for directing secondary particles horizontally onto a horizontal axis in s id first mode and for directing said electron beam vertically onto said target surface in the second mode, said capacitor having a vertical aperture through in the outer electrode thereof for allowing transmission of said primary ion beam in said first mode; imaging detector means comprising a channel electron multiplier and a secondary ion mass spectrometer for collecting said secondary particles in said first mode; an electrostatic einzel lens on said horizontal axis for focusing said secondary particles into said imaging detector means in said first mode, and said electron beam into the image plane of said energy analyzer in said second mode; and an electrostatic quadrupole deflector on said horizontal axis for directing said secondary particles into said imaging detector means in said first mode and for directing said electron beam onto the axis of said electrostatic lens in said second mode.

Claim 20

A focused ion beam system having alternating modes wherein, in a first, imaging mode, a primary ion beam is scanned in a predetermined pattern across the surface of a target thereby stimulating emission of secondary particles used for imaging said target and, in a second, charge neutralization mode, electrons are directed to said surface for neutralizing charge accumulated during said first mode, and comprising: means for providing said primary ion beam and focusing said ion beam at and orthogonally to said target surface in said first mode; means for controlling the voltage on said target surface; means for providing an electron beam in said second mode; an energy analyzer positioned directly above said target surface and including a ninety degree spherical electrostatic capacitor for directing secondary particles horizontally onto a horizontal axis in s id first mode and for directing said electron beam vertically onto said target surface in the second mode, said capacitor having a vertical aperture through in the outer electrode thereof for allowing transmission of said primary ion beam in said first mode; imaging detector means comprising a channel electron multiplier and a secondary ion mass spectrometer for collecting said secondary particles in said first mode; an electrostatic einzel lens on said horizontal axis for focusing said secondary particles into said imaging detector means in said first mode, and said electron beam into the image plane of said energy analyzer in said second mode; and an electrostatic quadrupole deflector on said horizontal axis for directing said secondary particles into said imaging detector means in said first mode and for directing said electron beam onto the axis of said electrostatic lens in said second mode.

Claim 21

The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said secondary ion mass spectrometer comprises a Wien filter.

Claim 22

The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said secondary ion mass spectrometer comprises a radio frequency quadrupole.

Claim 25

The method according to claim 21 wherein said evacuated enclosure contains said energy analyzer, an electrostatic lens, an electrostatic deflector, and said imaging detector, and further including the steps of: at the beginning of said first predetermined period of time, adjusting the voltages on said analyzer, said lens, said deflector, and said imaging detector for transporting said secondary particles to said imaging detector and at the beginning of said second predetermined period of time, adjusting the voltages of said analyzer, said lens, said deflector, and said imaging detector for transporting said electron beam to said target surface.