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US4855673A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electron beam apparatus

Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-02-16
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Granted: 1989-08-08
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Expires: 2008-02-16
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Abstract

Abstract In an electron beam apparatus in which an electron beam is irradiated on a specimen, secondary electrons are generated from the specimen under the bombardment of the electron beam, and voltage is applied to and a signal voltage is picked up from the specimen through a probe, a metal electrode is disposed on at least part of the outer peripheral surface of the probe through an insulator and the metal electrode is maintained at predetermined electrical potential. The secondary electrons can be shielded from a horizontal electric field generated from the probe and can be detected accurately by means of a detector.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hideo Todokoro

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/18; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/06711; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/302; G01R31/305

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 65 words
An electron beam apparatus comprising: means for irradiating an electron beam on a specimen; detection means for detecting secondary electrons generated from said specimen under the bombardment of the electron beam; a probe for applying a voltage to said specimen and picking up a signal voltage from said specimen; and shield means for shielding the secondary electrons from an electric field generated from said probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 65 words
An electron beam apparatus comprising: means for irradiating an electron beam on a specimen; detection means for detecting secondary electrons generated from said specimen under the bombardment of the electron beam; a probe for applying a voltage to said specimen and picking up a signal voltage from said specimen; and shield means for shielding the secondary electrons from an electric field generated from said probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 51 words
An electron beam apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shield means comprises a metal electrode disposed proximate to and electrically insulated from at least part of the outer peripheral surface of said probe by an insulator, and potential maintaining means for maintaining said metal electrode at a predetermined electrical potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
An electron beam apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said potential maintaining means maintains said metal electrode at predetermined positive potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
An electron beam apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said metal electrode is disposed proximate to said probe at only its surface confronting the electron beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
An electron beam apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said metal electrode is a metal strip which is toroidally wound about said probe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 35 words
An electron beam apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said insulator is an insulating film formed on the surface of said probe, and said metal electrode is a metal film formed on said insulating film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 34 words
An electron beam apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said insulator is disposed on at least part of the outer peripheral surface of said probe and said metal electrode is disposed on said insulator.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3736541A Cited
US3992073A Cited
US4116523A Cited
US4532423A Cited
JPS606876A Cited
US4697143A Cited
US4740746A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-08-07 1993-02-06 1993-08-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-08-07 1997-02-06 1997-08-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-08-07 2001-02-06 2001-08-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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