Abstract: As an aspect for realizing accurate observation, inspection, or measurement of the contact hole with large aspect ratio, a method and a device to scan a second electron beam after scanning a first electron beam to a sample to charge the sample are proposed wherein the beam diameter of the first electron beam is made larger than the beam diameter of the second electron beam.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of providing charged particle beam irradiation method ideal for reducing the focus offset, magnification fluctuation and measurement length error in charged particle beam devices. To achieve these objects, a method is disclosed in the invention for measuring the electrical potential distribution on the sample with a static electrometer while loaded by a loader mechanism. Another method is disclosed for measuring the local electrical charge at specified points on the sample, and isolating and measuring the wide area electrostatic charge quantity from those local electrostatic charges.

Abstract: In a scanning electron microscope, an optimum scanning method for reducing the amount of deflection of a primary electron beam and secondary electrons is determined to acquire stable images. An energy filter is used to discriminate between energy levels. The change in yield of obtained electrons is used to measure the variation in specimen potential. The time constant of charging created during electron beam irradiation is extracted. The scanning method is optimized based on the extracted time constant to reduce the distortion and magnification variation that appear in a SEM image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photocatalyst material, which can comprise a photocatalyst with an excellent adherence to a substrate and a high photocatalytic activity, and a production method thereof. The photocatalyst material (20) obtained by reacting crystal nuclei with a sol solution containing an organic metallic compound or the like and then carrying out gelation, solidification and heat treatment has a structure where more than one basic structures (10) are fixed to the surface of the substrate (1). The basic structure consists of abase portion (2) comprising crystal nuclei fixed to the surface of the substrate (1) and a photocatalyst crystalline body (3), which connects to and is extended from the base portion (2) and has a columnar structure having a hollow portion (5) formed therein. A cylindrical substrate may be used for the substrate (1). The above photocatalytic activity is further enhanced by the formation of an interior-exposing structure (8) in a shell portion (4).

Abstract: In a scanning electron microscope, an optimum scanning method for reducing the amount of deflection of a primary electron beam and secondary electrons is determined to acquire stable images. An energy filter is used to discriminate between energy levels. The change in yield of obtained electrons is used to measure the variation in specimen potential. The time constant of charging created during electron beam irradiation is extracted. The scanning method is optimized based on the extracted time constant to reduce the distortion and magnification variation that appear in a SEM image.

Abstract: For the purpose of repeatedly observing the bottom of a contact hole with a high aspect ratio, the potential of an electrostatic charge in each of a pattern to be observed and a vicinity of a range to be observed is stabilized by pre-charging a range on which to irradiate a beam of electrons while changing the range on a step-by-step basis.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of providing a charged particle beam irradiation method ideal for reducing the focus offset, magnification fluctuation and measurement length error in charged particle beam devices. To achieve these objects, a method is disclosed in the invention for measuring the electrical potential distribution on the sample with a static electrometer while loaded by a loader mechanism. Another method is disclosed for measuring the local electrical charge at specified points on the sample, and isolating and measuring the wide area electrostatic charge quantity from those local electrostatic charges.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for measuring a potential on a surface of a sample using a charged particle beam while restraining a change in the potential on the sample induced by the charged particle beam application, or detecting a compensation value for a change in a condition for the apparatus caused by the sample being electrically charged. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for applying a voltage to a sample so that a charged particle beam does not reach the sample (hereinafter, this may be referred to as “mirror state”) in a state in which the charged particle beam is applied toward the sample, and detecting information relating to a potential on the sample using signals obtained by that voltage application.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning electron microscope suitable for monitoring apparatus conditions of the microscope itself, irrespective of the presence of charge-up, specimen inclination, and the like. In order to achieve the object, proposed is a scanning electron microscope including a function to monitor the apparatus conditions on the basis of information obtained with an electron beam reflected before reaching a specimen. Specifically, for example, while applying a negative voltage to the specimen to reflect the electron beam before the electron beam reaches the specimen, and simultaneously supplying a predetermined signal to a deflector for alignment, the scanning electron microscope monitors changes of the detected positions of the reflected electrons of the electron beam. If the above-mentioned predetermined signal is under the condition where an alignment is properly performed, the changes of the detected positions of the electrons reflect deviation of an axis.

Abstract: A contact-breaker device that can be miniaturized, realize low power consumption and low cost, and generate an irregular pulse current by causing irregular electrical conduction and insulation of a circuit. The contact-breaker device comprises: fixed terminals 12A and 12B secured at positions spaced apart from each other; and a movable member 11 capable of moving relative to the fixed terminals 12A and 12B and coming into or avoiding contact with the fixed terminals 12A and 12B based on its movement, thereby causing electrical conduction or insulation between the fixed terminals 12A and 12B; wherein the movable member 11 irregularly moves in accordance with externally applied vibration, thereby causing irregular electrical conduction or insulation between the fixed terminals 12A and 12B.

Abstract: As an aspect for realizing accurate observation, inspection, or measurement of the contact hole with large aspect ratio, a method and a device to scan a second electron beam after scanning a first electron beam to a sample to charge the sample are proposed wherein the beam diameter of the first electron beam is made larger than the beam diameter of the second electron beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method for applying, while a charged particle beam is in a state being irradiated toward the sample, a voltage to the sample so that the charged particle beam does not reach the sample (hereafter such state may be referred to as a mirror state) and detecting information on a potential of a sample using a signal obtained then, and a device for automatically adjusting conditions of the device based on the result of measuring.

Abstract: For the purpose of repeatedly observing the bottom of a contact hole with a high aspect ratio, the potential of an electrostatic charge in each of a pattern to be observed and a vicinity of a range to be observed is stabilized by pre-charging a range on which to irradiate a beam of electrons while changing the range on a step-by-step basis.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of providing a charged particle beam irradiation method ideal for reducing the focus offset, magnification fluctuation and measurement length error in charged particle beam devices. To achieve these objects, a method is disclosed in the invention for measuring the electrical potential distribution on the sample with a static electrometer while loaded by a loader mechanism. Another method is disclosed for measuring the local electrical charge at specified points on the sample, and isolating and measuring the wide area electrostatic charge quantity from those local electrostatic charges.

Abstract: In a scanning electron microscope, an optimum scanning method for reducing the amount of deflection of a primary electron beam and secondary electrons is determined to acquire stable images. An energy filter is used to discriminate between energy levels. The change in yield of obtained electrons is used to measure the variation in specimen potential. The time constant of charging created during electron beam irradiation is extracted. The scanning method is optimized based on the extracted time constant to reduce the distortion and magnification variation that appear in a SEM image.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of providing a charged particle beam irradiation method ideal for reducing the focus offset, magnification fluctuation and measurement length error in charged particle beam devices. To achieve these objects, a method is disclosed in the invention for measuring the electrical potential distribution on the sample with a static electrometer while loaded by a loader mechanism. Another method is disclosed for measuring the local electrical charge at specified points on the sample, and isolating and measuring the wide area electrostatic charge quantity from those local electrostatic charges.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of providing a charged particle beam irradiation method ideal for reducing the focus offset, magnification fluctuation and measurement length error in charged particle beam devices. To achieve these objects, a method is disclosed in the invention for measuring the electrical potential distribution on the sample with a static electrometer while loaded by a loader mechanism. Another method is disclosed for measuring the local electrical charge at specified points on the sample, and isolating and measuring the wide area electrostatic charge quantity from those local electrostatic charges.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of providing a charged particle beam irradiation method ideal for reducing the focus offset, magnification fluctuation and measurement length error in charged particle beam devices. To achieve these objects, a method is disclosed in the invention for measuring the electrical potential distribution on the sample with a static electrometer while loaded by a loader mechanism. Another method is disclosed for measuring the local electrical charge at specified points on the sample, and isolating and measuring the wide area electrostatic charge quantity from those local electrostatic charges.

Abstract: A contact-breaker device that can be miniaturized, realize low power consumption and low cost, and generate an irregular pulse current by causing irregular electrical conduction and insulation of a circuit. The contact-breaker device comprises: fixed terminals 12A and 12B secured at positions spaced apart from each other; and a movable member 11 capable of moving relative to the fixed terminals 12A and 12B and coming into or avoiding contact with the fixed terminals 12A and 12B based on its movement, thereby causing electrical conduction or insulation between the fixed terminals 12A and 12B; wherein the movable member 11 irregularly moves in accordance with externally applied vibration, thereby causing irregular electrical conduction or insulation between the fixed terminals 12A and 12B.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of providing a charged particle beam irradiation method ideal for reducing the focus offset, magnification fluctuation and measurement length error in charged particle beam devices. To achieve these objects, a method is disclosed in the invention for measuring the electrical potential distribution on the sample with a static electrometer while loaded by a loader mechanism. Another method is disclosed for measuring the local electrical charge at specified points on the sample, and isolating and measuring the wide area electrostatic charge quantity from those local electrostatic charges.