U.S. patent application number 11/991547 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for charged particle inspection method and charged particle system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Carl Zeiss SMT AG. Invention is credited to Thomas Kemen, Rainer Knippelmeyer, Stefan Schubert.
Application Number | 20090256075 11/991547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37311941 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090256075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kemen; Thomas ; et
al. |
October 15, 2009 |
Charged Particle Inspection Method and Charged Particle System
Abstract
The present invention relates to a charged particle system
comprising: a charged particle source; a first multi aperture
plate; a second multi aperture plate disposed downstream of the
first multi aperture plate, the second multi aperture plate; a
controller configured to selectively apply at least first and
second voltage differences between the first and second multi
aperture plates; wherein the charged particle source and the first
and second multi aperture plates are arranged such that each of a
plurality of charged particle beamlets traverses an aperture pair,
said aperture pair comprising one aperture of the first multi
aperture plate and one aperture of the second multi aperture plate,
wherein plural aperture pairs are arranged such that a center of
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate is, when seen in a
direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate, displaced relative
to a center of the aperture of the second multi aperture plate. The
invention further pertains to a a particle-optical component
configured to change a divergence of a set of charged particle
beamlets and a charged particle inspection method comprising
inspection of an object using different numbers of charged particle
beamlets.
Inventors: |
Kemen; Thomas; (Aalen,
DE) ; Knippelmeyer; Rainer; (Aalen, DE) ;
Schubert; Stefan; (Oberkochen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
222 EAST 41ST ST
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Assignee: |
Carl Zeiss SMT AG
Oberkochen
DE
Applied Materials Israel Ltd.
Rehovot
IL
|
Family ID: |
37311941 |
Appl. No.: |
11/991547 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
September 6, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/008694 |
371 Date: |
March 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60714556 |
Sep 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
250/307 ;
250/306; 250/397 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01J 2237/15 20130101;
H01J 37/147 20130101; H01J 37/3177 20130101; H01J 2237/04926
20130101; H01J 37/09 20130101; H01J 37/244 20130101; H01J 2237/2448
20130101; H01J 2237/0435 20130101; H01J 2237/2446 20130101; H01J
2237/04924 20130101; H01J 2237/2817 20130101; H01J 37/04 20130101;
H01J 2237/04922 20130101; H01J 37/045 20130101; H01J 37/145
20130101; H01J 2237/31774 20130101; H01J 2237/0453 20130101; H01J
2237/2561 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
250/307 ;
250/306; 250/397 |
International
Class: |
G01N 23/00 20060101
G01N023/00 |
Claims
1. A charged particle inspection method, comprising: in a first
mode of operation, directing a first number of primary charged
particle beamlets onto an object surface, to generate a secondary
charged particle beamlet from each of the primary charged particle
beamlets incident on the object surface; directing each of the
secondary charged particle beamlets onto a detector arrangement to
detect an intensity of each of the secondary charged particle
beamlets, wherein a first number of intensities is detected; in a
second mode of operation, directing a second number of the primary
charged particle beamlets onto the object surface, wherein the
second number is at least one and less than the first number;
directing each of the secondary charged particle beamlets onto the
detector arrangement to detect an intensity of each of the
secondary charged particle beamlets, wherein a second number of
intensities is detected.
2. The charged particle inspection method according to claim 1,
wherein the first number of primary charged particle beamlets are
directed onto the object surface such that an array of beam spots
is formed on the surface.
3. The charged particle inspection method according to claim 2,
further comprising generating image data of the object surface by
scanning the array of beam spots across the surface and recording
associated intensities of the secondary charged particle
beamlets.
4. The charged particle inspection method according to claim 1,
further comprising obtaining surface charging information by
comparing detected intensities of the secondary charged particle
beamlets when the first number of primary charged particle beamlets
is directed onto the surface with detected intensities of the
secondary charged particle beamlets when the second number of
primary charged particle beamlets is directed onto the surface.
5. A charged particle system comprising: at least one charged
particle source; a first multi aperture plate disposed downstream
of the at least one charged particle source, the first multi
aperture plate comprising a plurality of apertures; a second multi
aperture plate disposed downstream of the first multi aperture
plate, the second multi aperture plate comprising a plurality of
apertures; a controller configured to selectively apply at least
first and second voltage differences between the first and second
multi aperture plates; wherein the at least one charged particle
source and the first and second multi aperture plates are arranged
such that each of a plurality of charged particle beamlets
traverses an aperture pair, said aperture pair comprising one
aperture of the first multi aperture plate and one aperture of the
second multi aperture plate, wherein plural aperture pairs are
arranged such that a center of the aperture of the first multi
aperture plate is, when seen in a direction of incidence of the
charged particle beamlet traversing the aperture of the first multi
aperture plate, displaced relative to a center of the aperture of
the second multi aperture plate.
6. The charged particle system according to claim 5, wherein the
plural aperture pairs are arranged such that the center of the
aperture of the first multi aperture plate is, when seen in the
direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate, displaced by a
distance relative to the center of the aperture of the second multi
aperture plate, the distance being less than a diameter of the
aperture of the first multi aperture plate.
7. The charged particle system according to claim 6, wherein the
distance is greater than about 0.01 times the diameter of the
aperture of the first multi aperture plate.
8. The charged particle system according to claim 6, wherein the
plural aperture pairs comprise a first group of aperture pairs
which are arranged such that the center of the aperture of the
first multi aperture plate is, when seen in the direction of
incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing the aperture
of the first multi aperture plate, displaced by a first distance
relative to the center of the aperture of the second multi aperture
plate, and wherein the plural aperture pairs comprise a second
group of aperture pairs which are arranged such that that the
center of the aperture of the first multi aperture plate is, when
seen in the direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet
traversing the aperture of the first multi aperture plate,
displaced by a second distance relative to the center of the
aperture of the second multi aperture plate, wherein the second
distance is at least 1.05 times the first distance.
9. The charged particle system according to claim 8, wherein the
plural aperture pairs comprise a third group of aperture pairs
which are arranged such that the center of the aperture of the
first multi aperture plate is, when seen in the direction of
incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing the aperture
of the first multi aperture plate, displaced by a third distance
relative to the center of the aperture of the second multi aperture
plate, wherein the third distance is greater than the first and
second distances, and at least 1.10 times the first distance.
10. The charged particle system according to claim 5, wherein the
apertures of the first multi aperture plate comprised in the plural
aperture pairs form a first pattern of apertures, and wherein the
apertures of the second multi aperture plate comprised in the
plural aperture pairs form a second pattern of apertures which is
different from the first pattern.
11. The charged particle system according to claim 5, further
comprising a beamstop, wherein the first and second multi aperture
plates and the beam stop are arranged such that a first number of
primary charged particle beamlets bypasses the beam stop when the
first voltage difference is applied and further such that a second
number of primary charged particle beamlets bypasses the beam stop
when the second voltage is applied.
12. The charged particle system according to claim 11, wherein the
second number is at least one and less than the first number, and
wherein a third number of primary charged particle beamlets is
incident on the beam stop when the second voltage is applied,
wherein the third number is equal to a difference between the first
and second numbers.
13. The charged particle system according to claim 11, wherein the
second number is zero.
14. The charged particle system according to claim 13, further
comprising a third multi aperture plate disposed upstream of the
first multi aperture plate.
15. The charged particle system according to claim 14, wherein the
third multi aperture plate comprises a plurality of apertures and
is arranged such that the aperture pairs each further have an
associated aperture of the third multi aperture plate, wherein the
associated aperture of the third multi aperture plate is arranged
such that a center thereof is, when seen in a direction of
incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing the aperture
of the first multi aperture plate, substantially aligned with the
center of the aperture of the first multi aperture plate of the
aperture pair.
16. The charged particle system according to claim 14, wherein the
controller is further configured to selectively apply at least
third and fourth voltage differences between the first and third
multi aperture plates.
17. A charged particle system, comprising: a source of primary
charged particle beamlets; a field generating arrangement
configured to generate at least one of a magnetic or electrical
field extending over a space traversed by beam paths of the primary
charged particle beamlets, a beamstop disposed downstream of the
field generating arrangement; a controller configured to
selectively switch the field generating arrangement from a first
mode of operation to a second mode of operation, wherein a first
field associated with the first mode of operation is different from
a second field associated with the second mode of operation;
wherein the field generating arrangement and the beamstop are
arranged such that a first number of primary charged particle
beamlets bypasses the beamstop when the field generating
arrangement is switched to the first mode of operation and such
that a second number of primary charged particle beamlets bypasses
the beamstop when the field generating arrangement is switched to
the second mode of operation, wherein the second number is at least
one and less than the first number, and wherein a third number of
primary charged particle beamlets is incident on the beamstop when
the field generating arrangement is switched to the second mode of
operation, wherein the third number is equal to a difference
between the first and second numbers.
18. The charged particle system according to claim 17, wherein the
field generating arrangement comprises a first pair of electrodes
for generating an electrical field between the first pair of
electrodes, wherein beam paths of the primary charged particle
beamlets traverse a space between the first pair of electrodes; and
wherein the controller is configured to selectively apply a first
voltage difference to the first pair of electrodes to generate a
first electrical field and a second voltage difference to the first
pair of electrodes to generate a second electrical field.
19. The charged particle system according to claim 18, wherein an
absolute value of the first voltage difference is less than an
absolute value of the second voltage difference.
20. The charged particle system according to claim 18, wherein an
absolute value of the second voltage difference is less than an
absolute value of the first voltage difference.
21. The charged particle system according to claim 17, wherein,
downstream of the beam stop, a beam path of at least one of the
primary charged particle beamlets bypassing the beam stop in the
first mode of operation coincides with at least one of the primary
charged particle beamlets bypassing the beam stop in the second
mode of operation.
22. The charged particle system according to claim 17, wherein the
first pair of electrodes includes two electrode plates which are
laterally disposed relative to the beam paths of the primary
charged particle beamlets.
23. The charged particle system according to claim 22, further
comprising at least a second pair of electrodes including two
electrode plates which are laterally disposed relative to the beam
paths of the primary charged particle beamlets downstream of the
first pair of electrodes.
24. The charged particle system according to claim 18, wherein the
first pair of electrodes includes first and second multi aperture
plates having a plurality of apertures formed therein and wherein
the apertures plates are oriented transverse to the beam paths of
the primary charged particle beamlets, each beam path traversing at
least one electrode of the pair of electrodes through one of the
apertures formed therein.
25. The charged particle system according to claim 24, wherein the
first and second multi aperture plates are arranged such that each
of a plurality of charged particle beamlets traverses an aperture
pair, said aperture pair comprising one aperture of the first multi
aperture plate and one aperture of the second multi aperture plate,
wherein plural aperture pairs are arranged such that a center of
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate is, when seen in a
direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate, displaced by a
distance relative to a center of the aperture of the second multi
aperture plate
26. The charged particle system according to claim 25, wherein the
distance is greater than 0.01 times the diameter of the aperture of
the first multi aperture plate.
27. The charged particle system according to claim 24, wherein,
when seen in a direction of incidence of the charged particle
beamlet traversing the one aperture of the first multi aperture
plate, a center of each of a fourth number of apertures of the
second multi aperture plate is displaced relative to a center of a
corresponding one of the apertures of the first electrode by a
distance which is less than a diameter of the one aperture of the
first electrode, wherein the fourth number is equal to the third
number.
28. The charged particle system according to claim 24, wherein the
beam stop includes at least one multi aperture plate having a
plurality of apertures formed therein.
29. The charged particle system according to claim 17, wherein the
system is configured to direct the beamlets of primary charged
particles onto a surface of an object and wherein the system is
further configured such that at least the first number of primary
charged particle beamlets is directed onto the object surface such
that an array of beam spots is formed on the surface.
30. The charged particle system according to claim 29, further
comprising an objective lens for focusing the primary charged
particle beamlets onto the surface of the object.
31. The charged particle system according to claim 29, further
comprising a detector arrangement for detecting an intensity of
secondary charged particles generated by the primary charged
particle beamlets having bypassed the beam stop and being incident
on the object surface.
32. The charged particle system according to claim 31, wherein each
primary charged particle beamlet incident on the object surface
generates a secondary charged particle beamlet and wherein the
detector arrangement is further configured to detect an intensity
of each of the secondary charged particle beamlets.
33. The charged particle system according to claim 32, wherein the
system further comprises a beam splitter for separating the beam
paths of the primary charged particle beamlets from beam paths of
the secondary charged particle beamlets and for directing the
secondary charged particle beamlets onto the detector
arrangement.
34. A particle-optical component for manipulating a plurality of
beamlets of charged particles, the particle-optical component
comprising: a first multi aperture plate comprising a plurality of
apertures and a second multi aperture plate comprising a plurality
of apertures, the first and second multi aperture plates forming a
gap between them, a controller configured to selectively apply at
least a first voltage difference between the first and second multi
aperture plates to generate at least a first electrical field
between them, wherein the first and second multi aperture plates
are configured and positioned relative to each other such that the
first electrical field generated changes a divergence of a set of
charged particle beamlets traversing the particle-optical component
upon exit from the particle-optical component.
35. The particle-optical component according to claim 34, wherein
the divergence is changed such that an angle between two charged
particle beamlets exiting the particle-optical component is
increased or decreased by at least 0.01 mrad.
36. The particle-optical component according to claim 34, wherein
the divergence is changed such that an angle formed between a
peripheral charged particle beamlet having exited the charged
particle component and the second multi aperture plate is increased
or decreased by at least 0.01 mrad.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a charged particle system,
a particle-optical component and a charged particle inspection
method.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Related Art
[0004] With regard to the continuous development of ever smaller
and more sophisticated microstructures such as semiconductor chips
there is a need for further development and optimisation of both
lithography and inspection systems for writing or inspecting,
respectively, the required small dimensions of the microstructures.
In addition, high throughput of production and examination of the
microstructures is an important economic factor that places further
demands on the performance required of lithography and inspection
tools.
[0005] The decrease of critical dimensions of the microstructures
has led to increased use of charged particle beam systems due to
the ability of charged particle beams to provide higher resolution
as compared to conventionally used wavelengths of light. To meet
the requirement of high throughput in inspection and manufacture,
there is also a growing trend towards a parallelization of
processing using a multitude of charged particle beams rather than
a single charged particle beam. This approach may involve use of a
single source of charged particles with subsequent splitting of a
beam generated by the source or parallel use of a multitude of
sources, for instance.
[0006] Given the fast developments in this field, it is also
desirable to provide tools that support and facilitate the
development and construction of new charged particle systems.
[0007] In addition, there is a need for charged particle systems
and components thereof which allow simple and fast handling of a
multitude of charged particle beamlets.
[0008] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a charged particle system and a charged particle inspection
method that allow examination of processes occurring during at
least one of inspection and manufacture of microstructures using
plural charged particle beamlets.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
charged particle system and component of such a system that allows
fast simultaneous deflection of a multitude of charged particle
beamlets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In response to the above objects, the present invention
provides, in a first embodiment, a charged particle inspection
method, comprising: [0011] in a first mode of operation, directing
a first number of primary charged particle beamlets onto an object
surface, to generate a secondary charged particle beamlet from each
of the primary charged particle beamlets incident on the object
surface; [0012] directing each of the secondary charged particle
beamlets onto a detector arrangement to detect an intensity of each
of the secondary charged particle beamlets, wherein a first number
of intensities is detected; [0013] in a second mode of operation,
directing a second number of the primary charged particle beamlets
onto the object surface, wherein the second number is at least one
and less than the first number; [0014] directing each of the
secondary charged particle beamlets onto the detector arrangement
to detect an intensity of each of the secondary charged particle
beamlets, wherein a second number of intensities is detected.
[0015] Thus, in a first mode of operation, inspection involves a
total first number of charged particle beamlets whereas inspection
in a second mode of operation involves a total second number of
charged particle beamlets which is smaller than the first number.
For instance, the total second number may be 1 or a small fraction
of the first number.
[0016] The inventors have found that this method enables
examination of phenomena occurring on the object surface during
charged particle inspection thereof which provides useful
information in particular in the development of new applications of
charged particle inspection methods and testing of charged particle
systems.
[0017] In addition, using a single charged particle beamlet or just
few charged particle beamlets for inspection is advantageous in
that the single charged particle beamlets experiences less Coulomb
interaction than a charged particle beamlet amidst a plurality of
charged particle beamlets and is thus less blurred. As a result,
the charged particle beamlet yields a better resolution.
[0018] The charged particle inspection method may involve the first
number of primary charged particle beamlets being directed onto the
object surface such that an array of beam spots is formed on the
surface. The charged particle inspection method may, in addition,
involve the second number of primary charged particle beamlets
being directed onto the object surface such that an array of beam
spots is formed on the surface.
[0019] The charged particle inspection method may further comprise
generating image data of the surface by scanning the array of beam
spots across the surface and recording associated intensities of
the secondary charged particle beamlets.
[0020] The method may further comprise obtaining surface charging
information by comparing detected intensities of the secondary
charged particle beamlets when the first number of primary charged
particle beamlets is directed onto the surface in the first mode of
operation with detected intensities of the secondary charged
particle beamlets or with a detected intensity of the secondary
charged particle beamlet, respectively, when the second number of
primary charged particle beamlets is directed onto the surface in
the second mode of operation.
[0021] For applications such as examination of surface charge
phenomena that occur on the object surface during multi beam
inspection thereof, fast switching between the first and second
modes of operation, i.e. the steps of directing the first and
second numbers of charged particles on the object surface and
detecting secondary charged particles generated thereby is
desirable.
[0022] The steps of directing the first and second numbers of
charged particles on the object surface and detecting secondary
charged particles generated thereby may be repeated as many times
as required. It may, for instance, be suitably alternated between
the two modes of operation. It is also conceivable to have at least
a third mode of operation that differs from the first and second
modes of operation by virtue of at least one of a number of charged
particle beamlets directed at the object surface, a choice of
particular charged particle beamlets employed or a resolution or
focussing power of the charged particle beamlet(s) employed.
[0023] The directing of the different numbers of charged particle
beamlets onto the object surface is accomplished by the same
charged particle system. It may involve the same charged particle
optical column or a portion of a plurality of columns configured to
generate the first number of charged particle beamlets in the first
mode of operation being switched to a second mode of operation,
wherein only the smaller, second number of primary charged particle
beamlets is generated. Alternatively, it may involve the system
being switched to a second mode of operation wherein a portion of
the first number of charged particles is intercepted from reaching
the object surface such that only the second number of primary
charged particle beamlets reaches the object surface. Intercepting
the first number of primary charged particle beamlets may involve
application of an electrical field in a region of the beam paths of
the first number of primary charged particle beamlets such that a
third number out of the first number of primary charged particle
beamlets is caused to be incident on a beam stop such that only the
second number of charged particle beamlets reaches the object
surface, the third number, which is intercepted by the beamstop,
being equal to a difference between the first and second numbers.
In other exemplary embodiments, intercepting the first number of
primary charged particle beamlets may involve mechanical movement
of a beamstop into paths of the first number of primary charged
particle beamlets such that a third number out of the first number
of primary charged particle beamlets is caused to be incident on
the beam stop such that only the second number of charged particle
beamlets reaches the object surface, the third number, which is
intercepted by the beamstop, being equal to a difference between
the first and second numbers. The beamstop may be an aperture
plate, for instance, that may be slided or rotated into position.
In dependence of the second and third numbers, the aperture plate
may comprise a number of apertures that is equivalent to the second
number and thus allows the second number of charged particles to
pass through the apertures, whereas the third number of charged
particle beamlets is incident on the aperture plate. In further
exemplary embodiments, the aperture plate may comprise various
sections wherein each section comprises a different number of
apertures so as to allow generation of different second numbers of
charged particle beamlets in dependence of the section arranged in
the beam paths of the first number of charged particle beamlets. In
other exemplary embodiments, the sections may differ by virtue of a
pattern of apertures so as to allow generation of different
patterns of the second number of charged particle beamlets.
Exemplary embodiments of a third or fourth aperture plate for
changing a number of charged particle beamlets incident on the
object are disclosed in U.S. provisional application No. 60/714,556
to the same Assignee, filed on Sep. 6, 2005, the priority of which
is claimed by the present invention, and the entire contents of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
[0024] Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, directing the second
number of primary charged particles onto the object surface
comprises directing the first number of primary charged particle
beamlets through an electrical or magnetic field, the electrical
or. magnetic field being configured such that a third number of
charged particle beamlets is incident on a beam stop disposed
downstream of the electrical or magnetic field such that only the
second number of charged particle beamlets--being equal to a
difference between the first and third numbers--is incident on the
object surface.
[0025] Exemplary embodiments of charged particle systems and
particle-optical components suitable for carrying out the above
described method will be described in the following.
[0026] In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a
charged particle system, comprising: [0027] a source of primary
charged particle beamlets; [0028] a field generating arrangement
configured to generate at least one of a magnetic and electrical
field extending over a space traversed by beam paths of the primary
charged particle beamlets, [0029] a beamstop disposed downstream of
the field generating arrangement; [0030] a controller configured to
selectively switch the field generating arrangement from a first
mode of operation to a second mode of operation, wherein a first
field associated with the first mode of operation is different from
a second field associated with the second mode of operation; [0031]
wherein the field generating arrangement and the beamstop are
arranged such that a first number of primary charged particle
beamlets bypasses the beamstop when the field generating
arrangement is switched to the first mode of operation and such
that a second number of primary charged particle beamlets bypasses
the beamstop when the field generating arrangement is switched to
the second mode of operation, wherein the second number is at least
one and less than the first number, [0032] and wherein a third
number of primary charged particle beamlets is incident on the
beamstop when the field generating arrangement is switched to the
second mode of operation, wherein the third number is equal to a
difference between the first and second numbers.
[0033] In other words, the field generating arrangement is arranged
and configured to generate the magnetic or electrical field such
that the area covered by the field encompasses an area containing
the beam paths of the primary charged particle beamlets that are to
reach the object surface. By way of example, the field generating
arrangement may be configured such that substantially all beam
paths of primary charged particle beamlets of the system pass
through the field generated by the field generating
arrangement.
[0034] Thus, the charged particle system makes use of two modes of
operation that differ by virtue of the electrical or magnetic field
that plural primary charged particle beamlets pass through
simultaneously, for instance the first number of charged particle
beamlets.
[0035] There is a growing trend towards use of maskless lithography
systems, some of which are based on one or more multi aperture
plates for the generation of a pattern to be transferred on the
object to be exposed. This type of multi aperture plate is often
referred to as a blanking aperture array (BAA). An example of such
an array may be found in US 2003/0155534 A1, for instance. Those
multi aperture plates generally comprise deflectors disposed on
each aperture, which are configured such that charged particle
beamlets passing through the aperture may be individually
controlled and deflected, independently of charged particle
beamlets traversing the other apertures. This is accomplished by
programming a sequence in which the deflectors of individual
apertures are switched on and off. Switching selected apertures on
and off allows programming of certain patterns of charged particles
and directing them onto the object surface. Sequential exposure to
these patterns that overlap on the object surface allows writing of
a predetermined microstructure onto the object surface.
[0036] In contrast to a blanking aperture array as used in a
lithography system, the field generating arrangement, which may be
a magnetic field generating arrangement or a pair of electrodes and
may comprise multi apertures plates, is configured and arranged to
provide an electrical or magnetic field extending over a region
that all charged particle beamlets to be directed onto the object
surface, i.e. a total number equivalent to the first number of
charged particle beamlets, pass through. Thus, selectively
switching to a particular mode of operation will affect all charged
particle beamlets travelling through the electrical or magnetic
field present, rather than just individual ones. It is, however,
conceivable to combine one of the multi aperture plates with a
blanking aperture array and make use both of individual as well as
overall deflection. It is also conceivable to use additional
deflecting elements within a space of the field generating
arrangement, such as in between two multi aperture plates that may
form the field generating arrangement.
[0037] The field generating arrangement may be disposed outside of
a perimeter of an area traversed by the beam paths of the charged
particle beamlets. Alternatively, it may be disposed traverse to
and thus within a total area in which beam paths of the charged
particle beamlets are located. In the latter case, the field
generating arrangement comprises apertures that allow the charged
particle beamlets to pass through.
[0038] In exemplary embodiments, the two modes of operation may
differ in that only one mode of operation comprises application of
an electrical or magnetic field, or the two modes of operation may
differ in terms of a field strength or field configuration such
that they cause a different extent of deflection of charged
particle beamlets resulting in a different number of charged
particle beamlets being deflected by the electrical or magnetic
field and thus being either blocked by or allowed to pass by the
beam stop. The term field configuration relates to a distribution
and orientation of equipotential lines, amongst others.
[0039] The mode in which the first number of primary charged
particle beamlets is directed at the substrate is referred to as
the first mode of operation in the context of the present
application, and the mode of operation wherein the second number of
charged particle beamlets is directed at the substrate is
consequently referred to as the second mode of operation.
[0040] In exemplary embodiments, the field generating arrangement
may comprise a pair of electrodes, an electrical multipole lens, a
magnetic lens, a combination of an electrical and a magnetic lens
or any other suitable arrangement allowing the generation of an
electrical and/or magnetic field covering the area that the charged
particle beamlets pass through.
[0041] In exemplary embodiments, the field generating arrangement
comprises a first pair of electrodes for generating an electrical
field between the first pair of electrodes, wherein beam paths of
the primary charged particle beamlets traverse a space between the
first pair of electrodes; and wherein the controller is configured
to selectively apply a first voltage difference to the first pair
of electrodes to generate a first electrical field in the first
mode of operation and a second voltage difference to the first pair
of electrodes to generate a second electrical field in the second
mode of operation. The first voltage difference is different from
the second voltage difference.
[0042] The first and second numbers can generally be chosen to suit
the needs of a particular application. The second number could be
as small as one, for instance, or could be in a range of one to one
hundred, by way of example. The first number may be any number
between 2 and 1,500,000. In exemplary embodiments, a difference
between the first and second numbers is in a range of from 1 to
1,000,000.
[0043] In further exemplary embodiments, the controller may be
further configured to selectively apply a third voltage to the
first pair of electrodes, the application of the third voltage
being configured such that it results in a number of primary
charged particle beamlets bypassing the beam stop which is
different from the first and second numbers. Application of further
voltages and thus modes of operation would also be feasible.
[0044] The charged particle system may further be configured such
that downstream of the beam stop, a beam path of at least one of
the primary charged particle beamlets bypassing the beam stop in
the first mode of operation coincides with at least one of the
primary charged particle beamlets bypassing the beam stop in the
second mode of operation. Switching of electrical or magnetic
fields leads to a shift of beam paths of primary charged particle
beamlets.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the first pair of electrodes may
include two plates which are laterally disposed relative to the
beam paths of the primary charged particle beamlets. Thus, the
electrodes may be disposed on either side of an area encompassing
the beam paths of the first number of primary charged particle
beamlets in a plane substantially orthogonal to an average
direction of the beam paths, and thus be arranged opposite to one
another. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical field is a
substantially homogeneous electrical field configured to cause a
deflection of the primary charged particle beamlets in a same
direction relative to the object surface.
[0046] The charged particle system may further comprise a second
pair of electrodes including two plates which are laterally
disposed relative to the beam paths of the primary charged particle
beamlets downstream of the first pair of electrodes. Those two
plates would thus be axially offset from the first pair of
electrodes. This would allow generation of two different electrical
fields in series, for instance.
[0047] The charged particle system may further comprise at least a
third pair of electrodes including two plates which are laterally
disposed relative to the beam paths of the primary charged particle
beamlets downstream of the beam stop.
[0048] Also, the second and third pairs of electrodes may be
arranged such as to generate an electrical field causing a
deflection of charged particles in one direction relative to the
object surface. The controller may then be further configured to
selectively apply third and fourth, respectively fifth and sixth
voltage differences to the second, respectively third pair of
electrodes.
[0049] The same configuration of deflecting field(s) as described
above in connection with the sets of electrodes can be achieved
using suitable magnetic configurations, such as magnetic coils and
the like.
[0050] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the first pair of
electrodes may comprise two multi aperture plates which have a
plurality of apertures formed therein and which are oriented
substantially transverse to the beam paths of the primary charged
particle beamlets, each beam path traversing at least one electrode
of the pair of electrodes through one of the apertures formed
therein. In an exemplary embodiment, a second multi aperture plate
disposed downstream of a first multi aperture plate is configured
such that each beam path traversing an aperture of the first multi
aperture plate also traverses an aperture of the second multi
aperture plate. Thus, each aperture of the first multi aperture
plate being traversed by a beam path would have a corresponding
aperture in the second multi aperture plate, thus forming an
aperture pair.
[0051] The embodiment using multi aperture plates may be used to
generate either electrical or magnetic fields or both. In exemplary
embodiments, the first multi aperture plate is coupled to a first
pole piece and the second multi aperture plate may be coupled to a
second pole piece. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 13a of U.S.
provisional application 60/714,556 as cited above. First and second
voltages would then be applied as corresponding excitation currents
to an excitation coil within the first and second pole pieces and
serve to generate different magnetic fields in between the first
and second multi aperture plates in the first and second modes of
operation. The same considerations with respect to
interchangeability of electrical and magnetic fields are equally
applicable to all of the described exemplary embodiments relating
to generation of electrical fields.
[0052] The first and second multi aperture plates are arranged to
form a gap between them. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and
second multi aperture plates are substantially flat and are
arranged in parallel to one another. Application of a voltage to
the first and second multi aperture plates thus results in the
generation of an electrical field in the gap between them. In an
exemplary embodiment, a surface of the second multi aperture plate
is disposed at a distance in a range of from about 10 .mu.m to
about 1 mm downstream of a surface of the first aperture plate, by
way of example between about 100 .mu.m to about 500 .mu.m.
[0053] In this exemplary embodiment, plural aperture pairs are
arranged such that a center of the one aperture of the first multi
aperture plate is, when seen in a direction of incidence of the
charged particle beamlet traversing the one aperture of the first
multi aperture plate, displaced relative to a center of the one
aperture of the second multi aperture plate by a distance which is
less than a diameter of the one aperture of the first
electrode.
[0054] For instance, the distance may be greater than 0.05 times,
by way of example 0.01 or 0.05 or 0.1 times the diameter of the
respective aperture of the first multi aperture plate
(electrode).
[0055] At least one aperture pair, other than an aperture pair
comprised in the plural aperture pairs with a displacement of
aperture centers as described above, may be arranged such that a
center of the other apertures of the plurality of apertures of the
first electrode is aligned with a center of a corresponding one of
the other apertures of the first electrode such that the centers
substantially coincide when seen in a direction in which charged
particles are incident in an area of a particular aperture of the
first multi aperture plate. Thus, the apertures in the first and
second multi aperture plates would generally be coaxial. Thus, at
least two different groups of aperture pairs are formed in the
system according to the second embodiment: one group comprising the
plural aperture pairs wherein apertures are displaced relative to
one another and another group comprising at least one aperture pair
wherein apertures are either aligned with one another or
substantially differently displaced with respect to one
another.
[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, when seen in a direction of
incidence of primary charged particles traversing an aperture pair,
a center of each of a fourth number of apertures of a second
electrode of the first pair of electrodes is displaced relative to
a center of a corresponding one of the apertures of the first
electrode by a distance which is less than a diameter of the one
aperture of the first electrode, wherein the fourth number is equal
to the third number of charged particle beamlets incident on the
beamstop in the second mode of operation as described above in
connection with the method according to the present invention.
Thus, the charged particle beamlets passing through those apertures
are incident on the beam stop upon application of the second
voltage. A number of aperture pairs, which number is equivalent to
the second number of charged particle beamlets, are arranged such
that a center of the aperture of the second electrode (multi
aperture plate) is aligned with a center of the corresponding
aperture of the first electrode (multi aperture plate), such that
the second number of charged particle beamlets passes through the
beamstop and is incident on the object surface in the second mode
of operation.
[0057] Application of an electrical field that can be switched on
and off or altered by a change of the voltage difference applied to
the pairs of electrodes/multi aperture plates allows practically
instant switching between the two modes of operation. In addition,
the electrical field exerts an influence on all of the first number
of charged particle beamlets rather than just individual ones which
allows a fairly simple instrumental set up and control program for
the controller.
[0058] Other configurations and arrangements of the multi aperture
plates are conceivable and will be described in more detail below
in connection with the third embodiment. They are equally
applicable to the second embodiment under the provision that
switching from a first to a second mode of operation results in a
different number of charged particles reaching the object surface.
This may be achieved by providing at least two different groups of
aperture pairs differing by virtue of an alignment/displacement. In
contrast to the second embodiment, the third embodiment also
provides for blanking of all charged particle beamlets.
[0059] In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a
charged particle system, comprising: [0060] at least one charged
particle source; [0061] a first multi aperture plate disposed
downstream of the at least one charged particle source, the first
multi aperture plate comprising a plurality of apertures; [0062] a
second multi aperture plate disposed downstream of the first multi
aperture plate, the second multi aperture plate comprising a
plurality of apertures; [0063] a controller configured to
selectively apply at least first and second voltage differences
between the first and second multi aperture plates; [0064] wherein
the at least one charged particle source and the first and second
multi aperture plates are arranged such that each of a plurality of
charged particle beamlets traverses an aperture pair, said aperture
pair comprising one aperture of the first multi aperture plate and
one aperture of the second multi aperture plate, wherein plural
aperture pairs are arranged such that a center of the one aperture
of the first multi aperture plate is, when seen in a direction of
incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing the one
aperture of the first multi aperture plate, displaced relative to a
center of the one aperture of the second multi aperture plate.
[0065] Application of first and second voltage differences shall
also apply to exemplary embodiments wherein the first multi
aperture plate is coupled to a first pole piece and the second
multi aperture plate is coupled to a second pole piece of a
magnetic circuit. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 13a of U.S.
provisional application 60/714,556 as cited above. First and second
voltages would then be applied as corresponding excitation currents
to an excitation coil arranged within the first and second pole
pieces and serve to generate first and second magnetic fields in
between the first and second multi aperture plates in the first and
second modes of operation.
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the plural aperture pairs are
arranged such that the center of the aperture of the first multi
aperture plate of a respective aperture pair is, when seen in the
direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate, displaced by a
distance relative to the center of the aperture of the second multi
aperture plate, which distance is less than a diameter of the
respective aperture of the first multi aperture plate. The distance
may be greater than about 0.01 times the diameter of the aperture
of the first multi aperture plate, for instance.
[0067] The plural aperture pairs may comprise all aperture pairs
formed by the apertures of the first and second multi aperture
plates. In alternative embodiments, the plural aperture pairs may
comprise a portion of all aperture pairs formed by the apertures of
the first and second multi aperture plates.
[0068] The distance may be the same distance in all of the plural
aperture pairs or may be different in the plural aperture pairs. In
exemplary embodiments, the plural aperture pairs comprise a first
group of aperture pairs which are arranged such that the center of
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate is, when seen in the
direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate, displaced by a
first distance relative to the center of the aperture of the second
multi aperture plate, and wherein the plural aperture pairs
comprise a second group of aperture pairs which are arranged such
that that the center of the aperture of the first multi aperture
plate is, when seen in the direction of incidence of the charged
particle beamlet traversing the aperture of the first multi
aperture plate, displaced by a second distance relative to the
center of the aperture of the second multi aperture plate, wherein
the second distance is at least 1.05 times the first distance.
[0069] In further exemplary embodiments, the plural aperture pairs
further comprise a third group of aperture pairs which are arranged
such that the center of the aperture of the first multi aperture
plate is, when seen in the direction of incidence of the charged
particle beamlet traversing the aperture of the first multi
aperture plate, displaced by a third distance relative to the
center of the aperture of the second multi aperture plate, wherein
the third distance is greater than the first and second distances,
and at least 1.10 times the first distance.
[0070] The first and second groups of aperture pairs may be
arranged in any suitable pattern, for instance the first group may
be surrounded by the second group or vice versa, the first group
may be arranged on one half of the multi aperture plate whereas the
second group is arranged on the other half, to name but a few
possibilities.
[0071] In further exemplary embodiments, the plural aperture pairs
may comprise further groups of aperture pairs having increasingly
greater distances between respective centers of apertures of
alignment pairs.
[0072] The apertures in the first multi aperture plate comprised in
the plural aperture pairs may be arranged in a first pattern and
the apertures in the second multi aperture plate comprised in the
plural aperture pairs may be arranged in a second pattern which is
different from the first pattern. For instance, a distance between
two adjacent apertures in the first multi aperture plate may be
different from a distance between associated apertures in the
second multi aperture plate. In one exemplary embodiment, the
apertures in the first multi aperture plate may be arranged
symmetrically and equidistantly thus forming a pattern comprising
equidistant columns and rows. The second multi aperture plate in
that exemplary embodiment may comprise a pattern wherein apertures
have an increasing distance from one another with increasing
distance from a center of the second multi aperture plate. Thus,
arranging the first and second multi aperture plates results in a
displacement between associated centers of apertures in the first
and second multi aperture plates being increasingly displaced with
increasing distance from the centers of the multi aperture
plates.
[0073] Suitable choice of a displacement of the associated centers
of an aperture pair in combination with a choice of a suitable
voltage difference applied allows control of a degree to which a
charged particle beamlet passing through the respective alignment
pair is deflected. Typically, the arrangement of the multi aperture
plates is such that the more the centers of the apertures of an
alignment pair are displaced relative to one another, the greater a
degree of deflection becomes.
[0074] In exemplary embodiments, the plural aperture pairs may be
arranged such that displacement between the respective centers of
the apertures of a respective aperture pair is in a same direction
for all of the plural aperture pairs.
[0075] In other exemplary embodiments, the plural aperture pairs
may be arranged such that displacement is in different directions
for different aperture pairs of the plural aperture pairs. In an
exemplary embodiment, the first and second multi aperture plates
comprise a center and displacement of the respective center of an
aperture relative to the center of the associated aperture of the
aperture pair is in a direction opposite the center of the multi
aperture plate. In an exemplary embodiment, displacement may be
such that a center of the one aperture of the second multi aperture
plate is disposed radially outwards with respect to the center
relative to the one aperture of the first multi aperture plate, or
vice versa.
[0076] In other exemplary embodiments, the plural aperture pairs
may be divided into groups of aperture pairs which are grouped
according to the criterion that the one aperture of the first multi
aperture plate is, when seen in a direction of incidence of the
charged particle beamlet traversing the one aperture of the first
multi aperture plate, displaced by a same distance relative to a
center of the one aperture of the second multi aperture plate
and/or displaced in a same direction relative to a the center of
the first multi aperture plate.
[0077] Displacement may be symmetric with respect to the center of
the first multi-aperture plate, or a center of a pattern formed by
the apertures or any other suitable point-of symmetry, or it may be
asymmetric.
[0078] Exemplary embodiments, in which a distance between the
respective centers of the apertures in a respective alignment pair
increases with increasing distance from a center of the first multi
aperture plate allows generation of a set of charged particle
beamlets, which is, upon exit from an electrical field between the
first and second multi aperture plates, divergent, i.e. a distance
between at least some adjacent charged particle beamlets increases
with increasing distance from a center of the set of charged
particle beamlets. A divergence involving an increasing distance
between adjacent charged particle beamlets allows to achieve a
defocusing effect for the set of charged particle beamlets.
[0079] Likewise, a focusing effect can be achieved by arranging the
centers of respective apertures of the plural aperture pairs such
that they have a decreasing distance from one another with
increasing distance from a center of the first multi aperture
plate.
[0080] For instance, in a pattern of apertures comprising a square
array of apertures in the first and second multi aperture plates
with apertures disposed in rows and columns, the plural apertures
may comprise a first group of aperture pairs wherein the centers of
the apertures are displaced from one another by a first distance
S1, a second group of apertures wherein the centers of the
apertures are displaced from one another by a second distance
S2=S1*1.05 and a third group of apertures wherein the centers of
the apertures are displaced from one another by a third distance
S3=S1*1.10, wherein a direction of displacement is in a direction
away from a center of the array.
[0081] The charged particle system according to the third
embodiment may be used as a general deflecting arrangement that
allows fast, simultaneous and very uniform deflection of a
multitude of charged particle beamlets. This deflection allows a
fast change of a position of the charged particle beamlets on the
object surface that may be used in scanning and other
applications.
[0082] In exemplary embodiments, the charged particle system
according to the third embodiment may further comprise a beamstop,
wherein the first and second multi aperture plates and the beam
stop are arranged such that a first number of primary charged
particle beamlets bypasses the beam stop when the first voltage
difference is applied and further such that a second number of
primary charged particle beamlets bypasses the beam stop when the
second voltage difference is applied. In those embodiments, the
total number of charged particle beamlets reaching the object
surface is the first number in the first mode of operation and the
second number in the second mode of operation.
[0083] In one example, the second number may be at least one and
less than the first number. This exemplary embodiment may involve a
third number of primary charged particle beamlets being incident on
the beam stop when the second voltage difference is applied,
wherein the third number is equal to a difference between the first
and second numbers. Thus, the total number of charged particle
beamlets reaching the object surface is at least one in both modes
of operation. Thus, the system is used to block a portion of
charged particle beamlets resulting in different numbers of charged
particle beamlets reaching the object surface. This embodiment is
particularly useful in connection with the method described
above.
[0084] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the second number
may be zero. This can be used to the effect that deflection of the
charged particle beamlets leads to all of them impinging on the
beamstop and no charged particle beamlets reach the object surface.
Thus, this exemplary embodiment can be used as a general blanker
that simultaneously deflects all charged particle beamlets. Thus,
this exemplary embodiment is useful in applications where fast and
uniform deflection of a multitude of charged particle beamlets is
desirable. The arrangement comprising the two multi aperture plates
and the voltage supply thus forms a particle optical component that
is particularly useful to simultaneously block all charged particle
beamlets from reaching the object surface and functions as a
general blanker.
[0085] In exemplary embodiments, the plural aperture pairs may
comprise different subsets of aperture pairs. For instance, the
aperture pairs of a first subset may be configured such that the
aperture of the second multi aperture plate is offset relative to
the aperture of the first multi aperture plate in a first direction
and the aperture pairs of the second subset may be configured such
that the aperture of the second multi aperture plate is offset
relative to the aperture of the first multi aperture plate in a
second direction, the first and second directions being different
directions relative to a center of the first multi aperture plate.
Thus, application of a voltage difference between the first and
second multi aperture plates would lead to a deflection of charged
particle beamlets passing through the aperture pairs of the two
subsets being deflected in different directions, thus generating
different sub-arrays of charged particle beamlets. Other suitable
configurations, arrangements and divisions into groups have been
described before.
[0086] In an exemplary embodiment, a pattern of apertures of the
first multi aperture plate is substantially the same as a pattern
of apertures of the second multi aperture plate, and the first and
second multi aperture plates are arranged relative to each other
such that the patterns are not in registry, but slightly shifted
relative to one another such that aperture pairs with the aperture
in the first aperture plate being offset from the associated
aperture in the second multi aperture plate are formed.
[0087] In further exemplary embodiments, in particular the charged
particle system according to the present invention that comprise
first and second multi aperture plates may further comprise a third
multi aperture plate disposed upstream of the first multi aperture
plate.
[0088] The third multi aperture plate may comprise a plurality of
apertures and be arranged such that the aperture pairs each further
have an associated aperture of the third multi aperture plate,
wherein the associated aperture of the third multi aperture plate
is arranged such that a center thereof is, when seen in a direction
of incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing the
aperture of the first multi aperture plate, substantially aligned
with the center of the aperture of the first multi aperture plate
of the aperture pair.
[0089] In those exemplary embodiments, the controller may be
further configured to selectively apply at least third and fourth
voltage differences between the first and third multi aperture
plates. By way of example, in the first mode of operation, a third
voltage difference other than zero may be applied between the first
and third multi aperture plates while no voltage difference, i.e. a
first voltage difference of zero, is applied between the first and
second multi aperture plates. This results in generation of an
electrical field in between the first and third multi aperture
plates, but no electrical field in between the first and second
multi aperture plates. Thus, in the first mode of operation,
charged particle beamlets are focused by the electrical field
between the first and third multi aperture plates and the first
number of charged particle beamlets reaches the object surface. In
the second mode of operation, a fourth voltage difference of zero
may be applied between the first and third multi aperture plates,
whilst a second voltage difference other than zero is applied
between the first and second multi aperture plates to generate an
electrical field between them. Due to the aperture of the first
multi aperture plate being offset from the associated aperture of
the second multi aperture plate in plural aperture pairs, when seen
in a direction in which charged particle beamlets pass through the
aperture pair, the electrical field generated between the first and
second multi aperture plates is configured such that those charged
particle beamlets having passed through one of the plural aperture
pairs are deflected relative to the direction of incidence. This
embodiment is particularly advantageous in that focusing and
deflection of the charged particle beamlets can be achieved by the
same, fairly simple component. In addition, deflection of the
charged particle beamlets is very uniform. Moreover, this
embodiment only requires one controller for deflection and focusing
purposes.
[0090] In alternative embodiments, the third multi aperture plate
may comprise less apertures than there are aperture pairs in the
first and second multi aperture plates, in which case a charged
particle beamlet having passed through an aperture of the third
multi aperture plate is divided into several charged particle
beamlets upon traversal of aperture pairs.
[0091] In further exemplary embodiments, the first and second multi
aperture plates further comprise aperture pairs in which the
aperture in the first multi aperture plate is in registry with the
associated aperture in the second multi aperture plate when seen in
the direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet
traversing the aperture pair. Thus the apertures are aligned
relative to one another substantially such that any deviation from
a perfect alignment is generally due to the limits set by an
achievable precision of alignment.
[0092] In further exemplary embodiments, the distance of
displacement of the aperture centers relative to one another may be
suitably chosen such that groups of aperture pairs cause different
degrees of deflection of the-charged particle beamlets.
[0093] Suitable arrangement of the beam stop allows blocking
primary charged particle beamlets in dependence of the deflection
they experience.
[0094] The first and second multi aperture plates may have
substantially plane surfaces to form a gap having a substantially
constant width between them. The substantially constant width
refers to a width having only variations which lie within a
reasonable alignment precision that may be achieved upon arranging
the first and second multi aperture plates relative to each
other.
[0095] In a further exemplary embodiment, the first and second
multi aperture plates have curved surfaces. Curvatures of the first
and second multi aperture plates may, for instance, be chosen such
that they form a gap between them, with the gap preferably having a
substantially constant width, at least in a region of the plurality
of apertures of the multi aperture plates. In those embodiments,
defining a displacement of a center of an aperture in the second
multi aperture plate relative to a center of a corresponding
aperture in the first multi aperture plate is based on viewing the
respective aperture in a direction substantially orthogonal to a
surface region of the first multi aperture plate adjacent to and
surrounding the respective aperture. For instance, the multi
apertures may each have a biconvex or biconcave shape.
[0096] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the multi aperture
plates may be tilted relative to one another such that a gap of
varying width is generated.
[0097] As used herein, the center of an aperture shall refer to the
center of the aperture as determined on a side of the aperture
plate facing an upstream direction of the overall charged particle
system.
[0098] In exemplary embodiments of the systems and components
according to the present invention, an absolute value of the first
voltage difference may be less than an absolute value of the second
voltage difference.
[0099] A voltage difference shall be defined as a difference
between a predetermined voltage and ground potential.
[0100] Thus, an absolute value of the first voltage difference,
i.e. a difference between a first voltage and ground potential may
be set to be less than an absolute value of the second voltage
difference, i.e. a difference between a second voltage and ground
potential. In other words, the first voltage may be a more positive
or more negative voltage than the second voltage.
[0101] In alternative exemplary embodiments, an absolute value of
the second voltage difference may be less than an absolute value of
the first voltage difference, which means that an absolute value of
a difference between a second voltage and ground potential may be
set to be less than an absolute value of a difference between a
first voltage and ground potential.
[0102] One of the first and second voltages (and thus voltage
differences) may be zero, for instance. Hence, there would be no
electrical field present in one of the modes of operation, as
mentioned before.
[0103] The charged particles may be any charged particles known in
the art, such as electrons, ions and muons.
[0104] In a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a
particle-optical component for manipulating a plurality of beamlets
of charged particles, the particle-optical component comprising:
[0105] a first multi aperture plate comprising a plurality of
apertures and a second multi aperture plate comprising a plurality
of apertures, [0106] the first and second multi aperture plates
forming a gap between them, [0107] a controller configured to
selectively apply at least a first voltage difference between the
first and second multi aperture plates to generate at least a first
electrical field between them, [0108] wherein the first and second
multi aperture plates are configured and positioned relative to
each other such that the first electrical field generated changes a
divergence of a set of charged particle beamlets traversing the
particle-optical component upon exit from the particle-optical
component.
[0109] Divergence, as used herein, shall comprise a positive or a
negative divergence, and thus also comprises what is generally
referred to as a convergence. The divergence may also be zero.
[0110] In exemplary embodiments, the divergence is changed such
that an angle between two charged particle beamlets, for instance
two adjacent charged particle beamlets or two opposite peripheral
charged particle beamlets, exiting the particle-optical component
is increased or decreased by at least about 0.01 mrad, for instance
at least about 0.05 mrad, at least about 0.1 mrad or at least about
0.15 mrad.
[0111] In further exemplary embodiments, the divergence is changed
such that an angle formed between a peripheral charged particle
beamlet having exited the charged particle component and the second
multi aperture plate is increased or decreased by at least about
0.01 mrad, for instance at least about 0.1 or at least about 1
mrad, in further examples at least about 10 mrad and in still
further examples at least about 50 mrad.
[0112] Suitable configurations of the first and second multi
aperture plates, voltage differences applied and electrical fields
have been described above and equally apply to this embodiment of
the present invention. The particle-optical component may further
comprise at least one of a third multi aperture plate and a beam
stop as described above.
[0113] The beam stop used in embodiments of the systems and
component according to the present invention may be any arrangement
suitable for intercepting a charged particle beamlet or a
predetermined number of charged particle beamlets from reaching the
object surface.
[0114] In an exemplary embodiment, the beam stop may include a
multi aperture plate having a plurality of apertures formed
therein. The number of apertures in the aperture plate of the beam
stop may be adjusted to the number of apertures in at least one of
the first and second multi aperture plates. For instance, the
aperture plate of the beam stop may comprise a first number of
apertures, each of which apertures is arranged to be traversed by
one of the first number of primary charged particle beamlets. In an
alternative exemplary embodiment, the number of apertures of the
multi aperture plates could be chosen such that at least a portion
of the apertures of the beam stop is traversed by more than one
primary charged particle beamlet. In the context of the present
invention, the terms beam stop and blanking plate are used
synonymously.
[0115] The apertures in the (multi) aperture plates may be round or
elliptical, or they may be square or rectangular, for instance. The
plurality of apertures typically forms a pattern of apertures,
which aperture pattern may be regular or irregular. The pattern may
be, for instance, a highly regular rectangular grid of apertures
with a number of apertures disposed in rows and columns wherein
apertures disposed adjacent to one another in a row or column may
be spaced a same distance apart, and wherein the apertures
generally have the same diameter. Various examples of other
suitable patterns are disclosed in WO 2005/024881, the entire
contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
[0116] Apertures, as used herein, are perforations or through
holes, i.e. they extend through the entire thickness of the plate
(at the location of the aperture) and thus have openings on both a
front side and a back side of the plate they are comprised in.
Plate, as used herein, shall also encompass a thin foil or a plate
having one or more sections that form a thin foil.
[0117] The process of arranging the first and second multi-aperture
plates, or more generally any two multi aperture plates, relative
to each other may be optically controlled by generating a Moire
pattern or an interferogram from light reflected from or
transmitted by components associated with the multi-aperture
plates. Background information and examples of high-precision
alignment are given in the articles "Self-Aligned Assembly of
Microlens Arrays with Micromirrors" by A. Tuantranont et al., Part
of the SPIE Conference on Miniaturized Systems with Micro-Optics
and MEMS, Santa Clara, Sep. 1999, SPIE Vol. 3878, pages 90 to 100
and "Microassembly Technologies for MEMS" by M. B. Cohn et al.,
Part of the SPIE Conference on Micromachining and Microfabrication
Process Technology IV, Santa Clara, Calif., Sep. 1998, SPIE Vol.
3511, pages 2 to 16, which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0118] The charged particle system may further comprise an
objective lens for focusing the primary charged particle beamlets
onto the surface of the object. In exemplary embodiments, the
objective lens is disposed downstream of the beam stop.
[0119] In further exemplary embodiments, the charged particle
system further comprises a detector arrangement for detecting an
intensity of secondary charged particles generated by the primary
charged particle beamlets having bypassed the beam stop and being
incident on the object surface.
[0120] The object may be a semiconductor wafer, for instance, which
is sensitive to exposure to charged particles or may have a coating
that is sensitive to charged particles or may be any other object
intended to be examined by charged particle inspection. The terms
object and substrate are used synonymously herein.
[0121] Generally, each primary charged particle beamlet incident on
the object surface generates a secondary charged particle beamlet,
either by emission from the object or backscattering, and the
detector arrangement may be further configured to detect an
intensity of each of the secondary charged particle beamlets. The
system may further comprise a beam splitter for separating the beam
paths of the primary charged particle beamlets from beam paths of
the secondary charged particle beamlets and for directing the
secondary charged particle beamlets onto the detector
arrangement.
[0122] The detector arrangement may be any suitable detector
arrangement known in the art, in particular in the field of
electron microscopy. The detector arrangement may be a
position-sensitive detector having a plurality of detecting pixels.
The pixels may be arranged in an array that matches an array formed
by secondary charged particle beamlet spots generated by the
secondary charged particle beamlets such that each pixel can detect
an intensity of an associated secondary charged particle beamlet.
The detector arrangement may be a solid state CCD or CMOS, a
scintillator arrangement, a micro channel plate, an array of PIN
diodes, for instance.
[0123] In exemplary embodiments, the detector arrangement is
disposed in a space between the beam stop and the object. The
detector arrangement may be disposed adjacent to the beam stop
[0124] The charged particle source may be any suitable charged
particle source configured to generate a beam of charged particles.
The charged particle source may also comprise an array of several
individual charged particle sources thus forming a source of
primary charged particle beamlets.
[0125] The source of charged particle beamlets may be a charged
particle source configured to generate one beam of charged
particles and further comprise an arrangement for splitting the
beam of charged particles into a plurality of charged particle
beamlets. An example of such an arrangement is a multi aperture
plate comprising plural apertures, with charged particle beamlets
being formed by those charged particles that pass through the
apertures. The multi aperture plate forming the first electrode in
the charged particle system according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention may serve as the arrangement configured to
split the charged particle beam into plural charged particle
beamlets, i.e. form part of the source of primary charged particle
beamlets. In other embodiments, the source of charged particle
beamlets comprises a multi aperture plate disposed upstream of the
first and second electrodes. It may be comprised of the third multi
aperture plate provided in other exemplary embodiments.
[0126] In other exemplary embodiments, the source of charged
particle beamlets may comprise an array of charged particle sources
generating one or more charged particle beamlets each. Other
suitable charged particle components may be used, as will be
apparent to the person skilled in the art.
[0127] The systems according to the present invention may further
comprise a main controller configured to change a setting of at
least one of the charged particle source, the objective lens, the
beamstop, the detector arrangement, a deflector or other components
of the systems, change a position of an object holder and change a
working distance in dependence of a mode of operation the system is
set to. Thus, the properties of the system may be adapted to a
particular mode of operation. In a lithography system, for
instance, the system may be switched to an inspection mode using
only one charged particle beamlet for inspection, wherein other
optical properties, such as a focusing power, for instance, of the
system are adapted to the inspection mode.
[0128] The systems according to the present invention may be
inspection systems, such as electron microscopes, lithography
systems, and lithography systems comprising an inspection mode, to
name a few examples. The particle-optical component according to
the present invention may be used in any of these systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0129] The foregoing as well as other advantageous features of the
invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that not all
possible embodiments of the present invention necessarily exhibit
each and every, or any, of the advantages identified herein.
[0130] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-section of an exemplary
embodiment of a charged particle system according to the present
invention configured as a multi beam electron microscope (side
view);
[0131] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate two examples of arrangements of
multi aperture plates known from the prior art;
[0132] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate a concept underlying the system
and method according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0133] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic cross-section of an
arrangement of the first and second multi aperture plates for use
in exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
[0134] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic elevational view onto the
aperture plate arrangement shown in FIG. 4;
[0135] FIG. 6 illustrates the aperture plate arrangement of FIG. 4
in connection with a beam stop comprising an aperture plate
comprising multiple apertures;
[0136] FIG. 7 illustrates the aperture plate arrangement of FIG. 4
in connection with a beam stop having a single aperture;
[0137] FIG. 8a shows a schematic cross-section of a further
exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention
in a second mode of operation;
[0138] FIG. 8b shows the schematic cross-section of FIG. 8a
switched into a first mode of operation;
[0139] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a system according to
the present invention;
[0140] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a system according to
the present invention configured as a lithography system;
[0141] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a system according to
the present invention;
[0142] FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-section of a further
exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present
invention;
[0143] FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-section of a further
exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present
invention;
[0144] FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic elevational view onto the
portion of the aperture plate arrangement shown in FIG. 13;
[0145] FIG. 15 shows an elevational view onto a first example of a
pattern comprising the portion of the aperture plate arrangement
shown in FIG. 14; and
[0146] FIG. 16 shows an elevational view onto a second example of a
pattern comprising the portion of the aperture plate arrangement
shown in FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0147] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating basic functions
and features of a charged particle system configured as an electron
microscopy system 1. The electron microscopy system 1 is of a
scanning electron microscope type (SEM) using a plurality of
primary electron beamlets 3 for generating primary electron beam
spots 5 on a surface of a substrate S to be inspected. The surface
of the substrate S is arranged in a substrate plane which coincides
with an object plane 101 of an objective lens 102 of an objective
arrangement 100.
[0148] The primary electron beamlets 3 are generated by an
arrangement 300 comprising an electron source 301 and a collimating
lens 303, and further comprising a first pair of electrodes
configured as an aperture plate arrangement APA, a blanking plate
BP and an objective lens 307.
[0149] The electron source 301 generates a diverging electron beam
309 which is collimated by collimating lens 303 to form a beam 311
for illuminating aperture plate arrangement APA.
[0150] Insert I.sub.3 of FIG. 1 shows an elevational view onto the
aperture plate arrangement APA constituting the first pair of
electrodes. Aperture plate arrangement APA comprises a first multi
aperture plate 330 having a plurality of apertures 330 formed
therein. The centers of apertures 330 are arranged in a pattern 319
which electron-optically corresponds to pattern 103 of the primary
electron beam spots 5 formed in object plane 101.
[0151] The aperture plate arrangement APA further comprises a
second multi aperture plate which is not illustrated in FIG. 1 for
sake of simplicity. The aperture plate arrangement APA employed in
the depicted system is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4, 5 and
6.
[0152] In order to convey an impression of the dimensions of such a
system, pitch P.sub.3 of array 319 may be in a range of 5 .mu.m to
200 .mu.m, for instance. Diameters D of apertures 320 may be in a
range of 0.2.times.P.sub.3 to 0.9.times.P.sub.3, for instance.
[0153] Electrons of illuminating beam 311 passing through apertures
330 form primary electron beamlets 3. Electrons of illuminating
beam 311 impinging on the first multi aperture plate 320 of the
aperture plate arrangement APA are intercepted from a primary
electron beam path 13 and do not contribute to the formation of the
primary electron beamlets 3.
[0154] In an alternative embodiment, the beamlet generating
arrangement may further comprise an aperture plate for forming
charged particle beamlets upstream of the aperture plate
arrangement APA. This embodiment has the advantage that heating of
the first multi aperture plate of the aperture plate arrangement
may be greatly reduced to the fewer electrons impinging on a
surface between apertures.
[0155] In the depicted embodiment, it is one function of the
aperture plate arrangement to form the plurality of primary
electron beamlets 3 from the illuminating beam 311. The aperture
plate arrangement APA additionally has the function to focus each
primary electron beamlet 3 such that foci are generated in a focal
plane downstream of the aperture plate arrangement APA. The
additional function of the aperture plate arrangement APA in the
first and second modes of operation will be described in more
detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
[0156] In FIG. 1, a blanking plate BP comprising plural apertures
340 is arranged in the focal plane such that foci of the primary
charged particle beamlets coincide with centers of apertures 340 of
the blanking plate BP. The blanking plate BP serves as the beam
stop. Insert I.sub.4 of FIG. 1 shows an elevational view onto the
blanking plate BP and thus the focal plane with foci coinciding
with centers of apertures 340. The centers of the apertures 340 are
arranged in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern 319 of the
first aperture plate 302. Diameters of the depicted foci may be in
a range of from about 10 nm to about 1 .mu.m, for instance.
[0157] Objective lens 307 and objective lens 102 serve to image the
focal plane onto object plane 101 to form an array 103 of primary
electron beam spots 5 having a small diameter on the substrate
S.
[0158] Insert I.sub.1 of FIG. 1 shows an elevational view onto
object plane 101 showing a regular rectangular array 103 of primary
electron beam spots 5 formed thereon. The embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1 shows twenty-five primary electron beam spots 5 arranged in
a 5.times.5-array. This number of primary electron beam spots was
chosen to be relatively low for sake of simplicity and only serves
to illustrate the principles of the electron microscopy system 1.
In practice, the number of primary electron beam spots may be
chosen to be substantially higher, such as 30.times.30,
100.times.100 or any other.
[0159] In the illustrated embodiment, the array 103 of primary
electron beam spots 5 is a substantially regular rectangular array
with a substantially constant pitch P.sub.1 in a range of from
about 1 .mu.m to about 10 .mu.m. It is, however, also possible that
the array 103 may be a distorted regular array or an irregular
array or an array of some other symmetry, such as a hexagonal
array.
[0160] A diameter of the primary electron beam spots formed in the
object plane 101 may be in a range of 5 nm to 200 nm, for instance.
The focusing of the primary electron beamlets 3 to form the primary
electron beam spots 5 is accomplished by the objective arrangement
100.
[0161] The primary electrons incident on the substrate S at the
beam spots 5 generate secondary electrons emanating from the
surface of substrate S. The secondary electrons form secondary
electron beamlets 9 which enter objective lens 102. The electron
microscopy system 1 further provides a secondary electron beam path
11 to allow the plurality of secondary electron beamlets 9
traveling further to a detector arrangement 200.
[0162] In addition, a beam splitter/combiner arrangement 400 is
provided in the primary electron beam path 313 in between the
arrangement 300 and objective arrangement 100 and in a secondary
electron beam path 11 in between the objective arrangement 100 and
the detector arrangement 200.
[0163] Detector arrangement 200 comprises a projecting lens
arrangement 205 for projecting the secondary electron beamlets 9
onto a surface plane 211 of an electron sensitive detector 207 of a
detector assembly 209.
[0164] Insert I.sub.2 of FIG. 2 shows an elevational view on the
surface plane 211 of detector 207, where secondary electron beam
spots 213 are formed as an array 217. A pitch P.sub.2 of the array
may be in a range of 10 .mu.m to 200 .mu.m, for example. The
detector 207 is a position-sensitive detector having a plurality of
detecting pixels 215. The pixels 215 are arranged in an array
matching array 217 formed by the secondary electron beam spots 213
such that each pixel 215 can detect an intensity of an associated
secondary electron beamlet 9. The detector 207 can be one or more
selected from a solid state CCD or CMOS, a scintillator
arrangement, a micro channel plate, an array of PIN diodes and
others.
[0165] Thus, high resolution secondary electron images may be taken
by detecting intensities of secondary electron beamlets 9 by
detector assembly 209.
[0166] In FIGS. 2a and 2b, two examples of possible configurations
of multi aperture plate arrangements known from the prior art are
shown. The first and a second flat multi aperture plates 20, 21 may
be arranged in parallel to form aperture plate arrangement 22. The
first and second multi aperture plates 20, 21 are arranged so as to
form a gap between them and are further arranged to be
substantially orthogonal to a general direction of charged particle
beamlets in a system they are comprised in. Each multi aperture
plate 20, 21 comprises a respective plurality of apertures 30, 31
which are configured and aligned such that they form respective
pairs of aligned apertures 30, 31, through which a respective one
of plural charged particle beamlets B directed at the aperture
plate arrangement 22 may pass. In the depicted embodiment, the
first and second multi aperture plates each have a configuration
that allows bringing the apertures 30, 31 in the first and second
multi aperture plates 20, 21 into registry, resulting in axes
extending through respective centers of aligned apertures 30, 31 of
a pair coinciding. In other words, when seen in a projection
orthogonal to the first multi aperture plate, the centers of the
apertures of an alignment pair coincide.
[0167] In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2b, an
aperture plate arrangement 22' having a different configuration is
provided, which, however, principally resembles that shown in FIG.
2a. The aperture plate arrangement 22' of FIG. 2b comprises curved
first and second multi aperture plates 20', 21' having convex
shapes. Adjacent surfaces of the first and second multi aperture
plates 20' are arranged substantially in parallel. This kind of
configuration may be particularly advantageous when a charged
particle source generates a diverging beam of charged particles or
a plurality of charged particle beamlets such that they approach
the aperture plate arrangement 22' at various angles. As shown in
FIG. 2b, each charged particle beamlet B can be associated with a
predetermined direction D1 through D5 at which it is directed at
the aperture plate arrangement 22'. A reference point chosen for
indication of a direction may be arbitrary, as long as the
reference point allows distinguishing between the various
directions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2b, each aperture 30'
of the first aperture plate has an aperture 31' associated and
aligned therewith, the apertures 30', 31' being aligned such that
their centers are disposed on a same axis A, with axis A being
arranged to run parallel to a respective direction D1 through D5 in
which charged particles approach that pair of aligned apertures
30', 31'.
[0168] In FIGS. 3a and 3b, a concept underlying the first and
second embodiments and some examples of the third and fourth
embodiments of the present invention is schematically illustrated:
As shown in FIG. 3a, a first number of five primary charged
particle beamlets is directed at the object surface generating
secondary charged particle beamlets SB which are then incident on
detector arrangement D where an intensity of each of the secondary
charged particle beamlets is detected. In other words, in FIG. 3a,
the charged particle system is set to a first mode of operation
wherein the first number of primary charged particle beamlets B is
generated by charged particle source CPS and allowed to pass
through an aperture in blanking plate BP so that they can reach the
object surface S.
[0169] In FIG. 3b, the second number of charged particles comprises
just one primary charged particle beamlet that is directed at the
surface of the object S. Thus, the system is set to the second mode
of operation, wherein a third number of the generated primary
charged particle beamlets B is blocked by blanking plate BP from
reaching the object S, as indicated by broken lines. Only one (the
second number) of the charged particle beamlets B, the inspection
charged particle beamlet IB is allowed to reach the object surface
S for investigating an effect that exposure to all charged particle
beamlets B in a first mode of operation exerts on the object.
Secondary charged particles SB are detected by detector arrangement
D which is disposed adjacent to the blanking plate BP on an object
facing side thereof. Use of this principle in a system according to
the embodiment of FIG. 1 allows detection of an intensity of each
secondary charged particle beamlet generated by a primary charged
particle beamlet impinging on the object surface.
[0170] In FIG. 4, an embodiment of a suitable arrangement of a pair
of electrodes in the form of an aperture plate arrangement APA is
shown. The aperture plate arrangement APA comprises first and
second multi aperture plates 120, 120', which are substantially
plane plates comprising plural apertures 130, 131 each. The first
and second multi aperture plates 120, 212 are arranged in parallel
and form a gap 122 between them. The first and second aperture
plates 120, 212 are further disposed orthogonally with respect to
an optical axis of a system (not depicted) they are comprised in,
the optical axis OA also representing a general direction from
which charged particles are directed at the aperture plate
arrangement APA. As can be seen in FIG. 4, only central apertures
130I and 131I of the first and second aperture plates 120, 121 are
aligned such that their centers are disposed on an axis which
coincides with an orientation of the optical axis OA. In other
words, the centers of apertures 130I, 131I coincide, when the first
multi aperture plate is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the
first multi aperture plate. The other apertures 130, 131 of the
first and second aperture plates 120, 121 also form aperture pairs,
but with centers of apertures 131 of the second multi aperture
plate 121 being displaced relative to centers of corresponding
apertures 130 of the first multi aperture plate 120. Thus, in each
such aperture pair, a center of the aperture 131 in the second
aperture plate 121 is offset in a direction orthogonal to the
optical axis OA from a center of the associated aperture 130 in the
first aperture plate 120. The distance by which the centers of the
apertures of each aperture pair thus aligned are offset from one
another is chosen such that charged particles approaching the
aperture plate arrangement APA in a direction of the optical axis
may still traverse each such aperture pair in a straight path,
despite the apertures being not in complete registry.
[0171] The paths that the charged particle beamlets B take upon
passing through the aperture arrangement APA in the second mode of
operation in which a second voltage of zero, i.e. no potential
difference is applied to the pair of electrodes of the aperture
plate arrangement APA, is indicated by dotted lines B0.
[0172] Upon switching the system to the first mode of operation by
setting voltage supply PS to apply a first voltage to the first and
the second multi aperture plates 120, 121, the charged particle
beamlet IB traversing the central apertures 130I, 131I of the first
and the second multi aperture plates 120, 121 remains substantially
unaffected and is therefore not deflected by the electrical field
generated in between the first and multi aperture plates 120, 121.
On the other hand, the charged particle beams B passing through the
other apertures 130, 131 of the first and second multi aperture
plates 120, 121 are deflected as a result of the particular
arrangement of the apertures 130, 131 in the individual aperture
pairs. Thus, charged particle beamlets B having approached the
aperture plate arrangement APA from a direction parallel to the
optical axis exit from the apertures 130, 131 of the aperture plate
arrangement APA as deflected charged particle beamlets DB which
travel at an angle with respect to the optical axis OA. The voltage
supply PS and thus the applied voltage is controlled by controller
C.
[0173] In FIG. 5, an elevational view onto the first aperture plate
120 and a portion of the second aperture plate 121 disposed
underneath is shown. This view represents the view orthogonal to
the first multi aperture plate used for defining an arrangement of
centers of apertures relative to one another. Each aperture 130 of
the first aperture plate 120 has a center C130, indicated by a
diamond shape in a few apertures. Likewise, each aperture 131 of
the second aperture plate 121 has a center C131, as indicted by a
circle for a few apertures. The central apertures 130I and 131I are
aligned such that their centers C130I, C131I coincide, i.e. such
that the apertures 130I, 131I are in registry. Therefore, a rim of
aperture 131I is not visible when seen from the elevational view,
since it is entirely covered by a rim of aperture 130I. In
contrast, in all other aperture pairs, i.e. pairs of aligned
apertures 130,131 in the depicted embodiment, a center C131 of an
aperture in the second aperture plate 121 is displaced relative to
a center C130 of a corresponding aligned aperture 130 in the first
aperture plate 120. Therefore, a portion of a rim of aperture 131
is visible through aperture 130, with a remainder of the rim of
aperture 131 being hidden from view in this direction, as indicated
by a broken line. In order to obtain an aperture arrangement of
that kind, the apertures 130 of the first aperture plate 120 are
arranged in a first pattern which is different from a second
pattern of apertures 131 in the second aperture plate 121. In the
illustrated embodiment, the patterns differ in that any aperture
131 of the second aperture plate 121 has a greater distance from a
center C131I of the central aperture 131I than the distance that a
corresponding aligned aperture 130 in the first aperture plate 120
has from the center C130I of the central aperture 130I in the first
aperture plate 120.
[0174] FIG. 6 shows the aperture plate arrangement APA of FIGS. 4
and 5 in combination with a blanking plate 140 comprising multiple
apertures 141. Each aperture 141 of the blanking plate 140 is
aligned with a respective pair of apertures 130, 131 of the first
and second aperture plates 120, 121. In the depicted embodiment, a
radius of each aperture 141 of the blanking plate 140 is smaller
than any radius of the plural apertures 130, 131 in the aperture
plate arrangement APA.
[0175] In a second mode of operation, upon application of a second
voltage to the first and to the second aperture plates 130, 131,
charged particle beamlets B passing through apertures 130, 131 are
deflected due to the electrical field generated in the gap 122
between the first and second aperture plates 120, 121, with the
exception of charged particle beamlet IB passing through the
central apertures 130I, 131I which remains substantially unaffected
by the electrical field. Blanking plate 140 is arranged with
respect to the second aperture plate 121 and configured in terms of
positions of the apertures 141 such that the deflected charged
particle beams DB impinge on the blanking plate 141 and are blocked
from reaching the object surface S. Meanwhile, the unaffected
central beam IB serves as the single inspection beam, since the
lack of deflection permits it to pass through aperture 141I of the
blanking plate 140 and reach the object surface S. Thus, the second
number of primary charged particle beamlets is one, with the third
number of charged particle beamlets being intercepted by the
blanking plate 140 amounting to four.
[0176] In a first mode of operation, wherein the voltage supply PS
is switched off, i.e. set to apply a first voltage of zero to the
first and second aperture plates 120,121, the first number of
charged particle beamlets B passes through apertures 130, 130I,
131, 131I. They exit from the aperture plate arrangement APA in
substantially straight paths as primary charged particle beamlets
B0, as indicated by dotted lines. The charged particle beamlets B0
may then pass through respective apertures 141 of the blanking
plate 140 and reach the object surface S for exposure or
examination purpose thereof (not shown). Thus, the first number of
five primary charged particle beamlets B0 is directed at the object
surface S.
[0177] In FIG. 7, the aperture arrangement APA of FIGS. 4 and 5 is
employed in combination with a blanking plate 145 comprising only
one aperture 146. The charged particle beamlets B are focused by
the aperture plate arrangement APA into a focal plane FP. A
magnetic lens ML is disposed in a region of the focal plane FP and
around beam paths of the primary charged particle beamlets B. The
magnetic lens ML is configured to direct the primary charged
particle beamlets towards and through the aperture 146 of the
blanking plate 145.
[0178] In a first mode of operation, wherein a first voltage of
zero, i.e. no potential difference is applied to the first and
second aperture plates 120, 121, charged particle beamlets B
exiting from the aperture plate arrangement APA are undeflected
charged particle beams B0, as indicated by dotted lines and follow
substantially straight paths down to the focal plane FP. Deflection
caused by the magnetic lens ML causes the charged particle beamlets
B0 in the first mode of operation to be transmitted through the
aperture 146 of the blanking plate 145 and to reach the object
surface S. Their beam paths downstream of the focal plane FP is not
shown in FIG. 7, but may be derived from FIG. 3b, which shows beam
paths similar to the ones of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.
[0179] In a second mode of operation, a second voltage is applied
to the pair of first and second aperture plates 120, 121 resulting
in a deflection of all charged particle beamlets B with the
exception of a central charged particle beamlet IB, as described
before with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. Positions of foci of the
deflected charged particle beamlets DB are therefore shifted in the
focal plane FP. Deflection by the magnetic lens ML subsequently
results in the deflected charged particle beamlets DB being
directed onto the blanking plate BP and thus blocked from reaching
the substrate S. Only the central charged particle beam IB is
unaffected and reaches the substrate S. It may therefore be used
for inspection purposes in this mode of operation. A detector
arrangement may be disposed downstream of the blanking plate and
adjacent to it, for instance (not shown).
[0180] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an alternative exemplary
embodiment. The charged particle system of that embodiment
comprises a source of charged particle beamlets (not shown) for
generating charged particle beamlets B, a blanking plate 150, a
detector 151 disposed downstream of and adjacent to the blanking
plate 150, and a deflector arrangement comprising four pairs of
electrodes D1, D2, D3 and D4. The first and second pairs of
electrodes D1 and D2 are arranged upstream of the blanking plate
150. They are spaced apart from another in a direction of an
optical axis of the system (not indicated). The third pair of
electrodes D3 is arranged in approximately a same plane as the
blanking plate 150, and the fourth pair of electrodes D4 is
disposed downstream of blanking plate 150 and detector 151.
[0181] In a first mode of operation, as shown in FIG. 8a, the pairs
of electrodes D1 through D4 are activated, i.e. a predetermined
voltage is applied to each of them. A first voltage is applied to
the first pair of electrodes D1. Thus, the pairs of electrodes D1
through D4 generate electrical fields upstream and downstream of
the blanking plate 150. The first and second pairs of electrodes D1
and D1 provide an electrical field that causes the primary charged
particle beamlets B passing through it to be deflected. This
deflection and the resulting shift in position allow the deflected
charged particle beamlets to pass around the blanking plate 150.
The third and fourth pairs of electrodes D3, D4 serve to focus and
redirect the deflected charged particle beamlets DB onto the
substrate S, thus taking the function of an objective lens.
[0182] FIG. 8b shows the system set to a second mode of operation,
in which a second voltage of zero is applied to the first and
second pairs of electrodes D1 and D2, resulting in the electrical
field generated between them being switched off. In the absence of
an electrical field upstream of the blanking plate 150, the charged
particle beamlets B travel in straight paths towards the substrate
S. The blanking plate 150 is disposed such that it blocks the
majority of charged particle beamlets B (the third number) from
reaching the substrate S. In the depicted embodiment, only one
charged particle beamlet IB can pass by the blanking plate 150 and
reach the substrate S. Thus, the second number is one. In the
depicted embodiment, pairs of electrodes D3 and D4 serve to focus
and redirect the charged particle beamlet IB to a central portion
of substrate S. This single charged particle beamlet impinges on
the substrate S, causing secondary charged particles to be emitted
which travel towards the detector 151, assisted by the electrical
field generated within the fourth pair of electrodes D4. Thus, the
intensity of secondary charged particles resulting from impinging
primary charged particles can be detected. The primary charged
particles in the first mode of operation may be used to inspect the
substrate or may alternatively be used to expose the substrate for
generation of a microstructure thereon.
[0183] FIG. 9 shows a further, alternative embodiment. In this
embodiment, a source of charged particle beamlets (not shown) and a
blanking plate 155 comprising an aperture for transmitting the
charged particle beamlets is provided. First and a second pairs of
electrodes D1, D2 are arranged upstream of the blanking plate 155
and are laterally disposed about beam paths of the first number of
electron beamlets. In addition, they are spaced apart in a general
direction of travel of the electron beamlets. Components downstream
of the blanking plate 155 are not depicted in this illustration for
sake of simplicity. An objective lens and a detector would
generally be provided downstream of the blanking plate 155.
[0184] In a first mode of operation, the first and second pairs of
electrodes D1 and D2 are deactivated, i.e. a first voltage of zero
is applied thereto, such that the charged particle beamlets B may
travel in straight beam paths through the aperture of the blanking
plate 155 and onto the substrate S. Thus, a first number of charged
particle beamlets B reaches the substrate S.
[0185] In a second mode of operation, a second voltage is applied
to each of the first and second pairs of electrodes D1 and D2 such
that they generate an electrical field upstream of the blanking
plate 155. The generated electrical field causes a deflection of
the charged particle beamlets B to such an extent that their
positions in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis OA is shifted,
such that only one charged particle beamlet IB in the depicted
embodiment may still pass through the aperture of the blanking
plate 155 and reach the substrate S, whereas the other deflected
charged particle beamlets DB impinge on the blanking plate 155 and
are blocked from traveling further. The singled out charged
particle beamlet IB may be suitably used for inspection of the
substrate S. For instance, a detector could be disposed downstream
of the blanking plate 155, in a similar way as in the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b.
[0186] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, downstream of the beam stop
155, a beam path of one of the primary charged particle beamlets
bypassing the beam stop 155 in the first mode of operation
coincides with one of the primary charged particle beamlets
bypassing the beam in the second mode of operation.
[0187] In FIG. 10, components of an exemplary embodiment of a
system according to the present invention configured as a
lithography system are schematically illustrated. In the depicted
embodiment, lithography system 500 comprises, in a direction in
which electrons would generally travel, an electron source 501 with
an extraction system and condenser lens 503. The condenser lens 503
may, for instance, comprise a stack of electrodes. Like in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electron source 501 generates a
diverging electron beam 509 which is collimated by collimating lens
503 to form a beam 511 that is subsequently incident on aperture
plate arrangement APA. In the depicted embodiment of the
lithography system 500, the aperture plate arrangement APA may be
the one shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, with the exception that for purposes
of the lithographic process, the first aperture plate is configured
as a blanking aperture array, such that each aperture of the first
aperture plate is provided with a set of deflection elements
allowing individual control of electron beamlets passing through
it. Downstream of the thus modified aperture plate arrangement APA,
a blanking plate BP comprising plural apertures is disposed in a
focal plane of electron beamlets formed by the aperture plate
arrangement APA. This arrangement corresponds largely to that
described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1 above. The
lithography system 500 further comprises an objective lens
arrangement OL for focusing the electron beamlets B onto the
substrate S. The objective lens arrangement OL may, for instance,
comprise an electrostatic lens arrangement and an electromagnetic
focussing lens arrangement, which are generally known in the art.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 further comprises a main
controller MC configured to control settings of the electron source
501, the condenser lens 503, the blanking plate BP, the objective
lens arrangement OL in dependence of a mode of operation to which
the system is switched, i.e. in dependence of a setting of
controller C, to which the main controller MC is also coupled.
[0188] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the present invention which
is configured as a general blanker, i.e. which serves to blank all
charged particle beamlets from reaching the substrate in one mode
of operation, and which may also serve as a focussing element. In
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, a stack of a first multi
aperture plate 220, a second multi aperture plate 221, and a third
multi aperture plate 219 is shown. The first, second and third
multi aperture plates 220, 221, 219 have the same pattern of
apertures formed therein. The first multi aperture plate 220 is
aligned with the third multi aperture plate 219 such that centers
of associated apertures of aperture pairs are in registry when seen
in a direction of incidence of the primary charged particle
beamlets B, i.e. when seen in a direction orthogonal to the first
multi aperture plate 220. The second multi aperture plate 221 is
shifted relative to the first multi aperture plate 220 such that in
each aperture pair, a center of the aperture in the first multi
aperture plate is offset by a predetermined distance from a center
of the associated aperture in the second multi aperture plate 221.
In the depicted embodiment, the stack of the first, second and
third multi aperture plates 220, 221, 219 is also symmetric in that
a gap 223 formed between the first and third multi aperture plates
219, 220 and a gap 222 formed between the first and second multi
aperture plates 220, 221 have about equal widths. A beamstop
comprising a further multi aperture plate 240 is disposed at a
distance downstream of the second multi aperture plate 221. A
pattern of apertures 241 in the multi aperture plate 240 of the
beamstop corresponds to the pattern of the first, second and third
multi aperture plates 220, 221, 219 with the exception of the
apertures of the multi aperture plate 240 of the beamstop having
smaller aperture diameters. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a center of
each aperture 214 of the multi aperture plate 240 of the beamstop
coincides with a center of an associated aperture 231 in the second
multi aperture plate 221, when seen in a direction of incidence of
the primary charged particle beamlets B, i.e. when seen in a
direction orthogonal to a plane in which the second multi aperture
plate 221 is disposed. A controller C is configured to control a
power supply to selectively apply predetermined voltage differences
between the first and third as well as the first and second multi
aperture plates.
[0189] In a first mode of operation, an electrical field is
generated in the gap 223 between the first and third multi aperture
plates 220, 219 by application of a suitable voltage difference,
whereas no electrical field is generated in the gap 222 between the
first and second multi aperture plates 220, 221. Thus, in the first
mode of operation, charged particle beamlets B passing through the
stack of multi aperture plates are focused by the electrical field
between the first and third multi aperture plates 220, 219 and pass
along substantially straight paths as primary charged particle
beamlets BO through respective apertures 241 in the beamstop. Thus,
a total first number of charged particles is incident on the object
surface (not depicted). In a second mode of operation, no
electrical field is generated in the gap 223 between the first and
third multi aperture plates 220, 219, whereas an electrical field
is generated in the gap 222 between the first and second multi
aperture plates 221 by application of a suitable voltage
difference. Due to the centers of the apertures 231 in the second
multi aperture plate 221 being shifted with respect to the centers
of the apertures 230 in the first multi aperture plate 220, the
electrical field in the gap 222 results in a uniform deflection of
the charged particle beamlets B passing through it. The charged
particle beamlets B exit from the apertures 231 of the second multi
aperture plate 221 as deflected beamlets DB which subsequently
impinge on the beamstop 240 and are thus blocked from reaching the
object surface. This embodiment is advantageous in that switching
between a first and second mode of operation, i.e. between focusing
and deflecting, my be achieved by switching a voltage applied to
the first multi aperture plate 220, whilst the second and third
multi aperture plates 219, 221 may be kept at a constant potential.
Thus, fast and accurate switching is possible.
[0190] The aperture plate arrangement APA' shown in FIG. 11 may
also be used as a deflection arrangement for fast, simultaneous and
uniform deflection of all of the depicted charged particle beamlets
in the same direction. In such an embodiment, the beamstop 240 need
not necessarily be included.
[0191] FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of a part of a system and a
component of the present invention which is configured as a general
blanker. In contrast to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the
first and second multi aperture plates 120, 121 have no aperture
pair wherein a center of an aperture 130 of the first multi
aperture plate 210 is aligned with a center of an associated
aperture 131 of the second multi aperture plate 121, i.e. no
coaxial apertures. Rather, all aperture pairs have their apertures
arranged such that the centers of associated apertures in the first
and second multi aperture plates 120, 121 are displaced relative to
one another. The design and arrangement of the first and second
multi aperture plates 120, 212, or of their apertures 130, 131,
respectively, is such that the depicted charged particle beamlets
traverse aperture pairs in a first mode of operation wherein no
electrical field is generated in between the first and second multi
aperture plates 120, 121 in substantially straight paths B0. The
design and arrangement are further configured such that a first
group of charged particle beamlets is deflected to the left hand
side and a second group of charged particles is deflected to the
right hand side, referring to the directions when viewing the
illustration, when an electrical field is generated in between the
first and second multi aperture plates 120, 121 in the second mode
of operation. A direction of displacement of the respective
aperture centers relative to one another corresponds to a direction
of deflection of the charged particle beamlets DB. Thus, the
embodiment shown in FIG. 12 represents a particle-optical component
configured to transform parallel charged particle beamlets into a
set of divergent charged particle beamlets, thus changing a
divergence from zero to a positive divergence. Two adjacent charged
particle beamlets B form an angle .alpha. between them which
differs significantly from the angle zero they formed as parallel
charged particle beamlets. Upon application of the electrical field
in between the first and second multi aperture plates 120, 121 in
the second mode of operation, the charged particle beamlets are
deflected such that they impinge on blanking plate 140, which
blocks them from reaching the object surface.
[0192] In FIG. 13, a further embodiment of a part of a system and a
component according to the present invention is illustrated. A set
of charged particles approaching the particle optical component
comprising the first and second multi aperture plates 120, 121 as
parallel charged particle beamlets B exit as a divergent set of
charged particle beamlets DB from the component upon application of
a voltage difference between the first and second multi aperture
plates 120, 121 (voltage source not shown). The embodiment shown in
FIG. 13 is modified with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12
in that centers of associated apertures of aperture pairs are
displaced to an increasing degree with increasing distance from a
center C of the first multi aperture plate 120. The first and
second multi aperture plates 120, 121 are accordingly configured
and arranged such that the charged particle beamlets B1, B2, B3,
B1', B2', B3' are deflected to a an increasing degree the further
away from the center C of the first multi aperture plate 120 they
traverse the multi aperture plates 120, 121. An angle formed
between two peripheral charged particle beamlets in the second mode
of operation upon application of an electrical field is illustrated
as angle .beta. (lines of beamlets forming angle shortened and
shifted for ease of illustration). The angle .beta. is
significantly greater than the angle of zero between the two
parallel charged particle beamlets B3, B3' impinging on the first
multi aperture plate 120. In addition, the peripheral beam B3 forms
an angle y with the second multi aperture plate 121 upon exit from
the electrical field generated between the first and second multi
aperture plates 120, 121 which differs significantly from the angle
of 90.degree. between the undeflected charged particle beamlet Bo
and the second multi aperture plate 121. As shown in FIG. 13, a
degree of deflection, as indicated by distances A1 through A3
between undeflected charged particle beamlets B0 and deflected
charged particle beamlets DB in a plane parallel to the multi
aperture plates, increases with increasing distance from the center
C of the first multi aperture plate 120. FIG. 14 shows an
elevational view onto the first multi aperture plate 120 of the
embodiment of FIG. 13 with edges of apertures 131 of the second
multi aperture plate 121 being partially visible through the
apertures 130 in the first multi aperture plate 120, and dashed
lines indicating those parts of edges of the apertures 131 in the
second multi aperture plate 121 that are not visible through the
respective aperture 130 in the first multi aperture plate 120. FIG.
14 thus shows six alignment pairs that correspond to those depicted
in FIG. 13. In the three alignment pairs to the left, in all
alignment pairs the centers of apertures 131 in the second multi
aperture plate 121 are displaced to the left with respect to a
center of the associated aperture 130 of the first multi aperture
plate 120. The opposite applies to the three alignment pairs on the
right side of the center C, in which displacement is to the right,
i.e. away from the center C. Centers of apertures 130 in the first
multi aperture plate 120 are illustrated by diamond shapes, whereas
centers of apertures 131 in the second multi aperture plate 121 are
illustrated by circles. In the three left and the three right
alignments pairs, a distance of displacement S1, S2, S3 between the
respective centers of the apertures 130 in the first multi aperture
plate 120 and the respective centers of the apertures 131 in the
second multi aperture plate 120 increases with increasing distance
from the center C of the first multi aperture plate 120. The
arrangement of the depicted row of apertures is symmetric with
respect to the center C. This design of multi aperture plates and
arrangement relative to one another allows fast and simultaneous
generation of a set of charged particle beamlets that are divergent
upon exit from the aperture plate arrangement when an electrical
field is generated in between the first and second multi aperture
plates 120, 121.
[0193] FIGS. 15 and 16 show two different examples of patterns of
the apertures of the first and second multi aperture plates 120,
121. Symbols and reference numerals correspond to those of FIGS. 5
and 14, respectively. The row of apertures depicted in FIG. 14
forms part of the patterns illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, which
differ by virtue of symmetry of the patterns. A position of row of
FIG. 14 in the aperture plate arrangement APA is indicated by a
dashed line and arrows to the left and right of the dashed line.
The cross section shown in FIG. 13 is taken along this dashed line.
In FIG. 15, the apertures 130 of the first multi aperture plate 121
form a highly symmetric first pattern wherein centers of apertures
are arranged at equal distances DC1 in a rectangular array of rows
and columns. A second pattern is formed by the apertures 131 of the
second multi aperture plate. The second pattern differs from the
first pattern in more than one respect: Firstly, it differs from
the first pattern in that it comprises two mirror-inverted
sub-arrays of apertures arranged in a rectangular grid of rows and
columns. Two columns of apertures of the second pattern to the left
and the right of an axis of mirror-inversion I have a distance DC2
from each other which is greater than a distance DC1 between the
two associated columns of the first pattern which are arranged to
the left and the right of the axis of mirror-inversion. In
addition, with increasing distance from the axis I in either
direction, the columns of apertures 131 in the second multi
aperture plate are displaced by an increasing distance from
associated apertures of the respective columns of apertures in the
first multi aperture plate. The mirror-inverted symmetry of the
second pattern results in displacement of associated apertures in
the left half of the aperture plate arrangement, as depicted in
FIG. 15, being to the left and displacement in the right half being
to the right, i.e. in the opposite direction.
[0194] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the apertures 130, 131 of the
first and second multi aperture plates form first and second
patterns. Each pattern is radially symmetric about a center C of
the first and second multi aperture plates. The aperture pairs may
be grouped into a first group of aperture pairs arranged on a first
(imaginary) circle CI about the center C, a second group of
aperture pairs arranged on a larger, second (imaginary) circle CII
about the center C and a third group of aperture pairs arranged on
a still larger, third (imaginary) circle about the center C. A
displacement distance S1, S2, S3, (as illustrated in FIG. 14) is a
same displacement distance for all aperture pairs comprised in the
same group of aperture pairs. In the depicted embodiment, the
displacement distance increases from the first to the third group,
i.e. it increases with increasing distance of the apertures of the
respective group of aperture pairs from the center C.
[0195] Whilst in all embodiments comprising a blanking plate, the
blanking plate has been shown to be arranged substantially in a
focal plane of the charged particle beamlets, this is advantageous
but it is to be noted that this is not necessary for carrying out
the invention. The blanking plate may also be arranged in a
different position relative to a focal plane, if any.
[0196] While the invention has been described also with respect to
certain specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of
the invention set forth herein are intended to be illustrative and
not limiting in any way. Various changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *