Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a scanning electron microscope comprising: an electron source; a sample holder for holding a sample to be analysed; a projector; and a first detector. Each of the electron source and the sample holder are arranged upon an optical axis of the scanning electron microscope. The projector is moveable between a first, operational position in which the projector is located along the optical axis downstream of the sample holder and between the sample holder and the first detector, and a second, retracted position in which the projector is located away from the optical axis. There is also provided a method of imaging a sample with the scanning electron microscope.

Abstract: Automatic alignment of the zone axis of a sample and a charged particle beam is achieved based on a diffraction pattern of the sample. An area corresponding to the Laue circle is segmented using a trained network. The sample is aligned with the charged particle beam by tilting the sample with a zone axis tilt determined based on the segmented area.

Abstract: Optical corrector modules for charged particle columns can include at least one split multipole that includes two multipoles separated by a distance less than 10 mm. Each of the individual multipoles may include at least two electrodes positioned to partially define a beam path through the multipole. Each of the electrodes can include a first surface that faces upstream of a charged particle beam when used in the charged particle column and a second surface that faces downstream of the charged particle beam when used in the charged particle column. The thickness between the first surface and the second surface for each of the electrodes may be less than 10 mm. The split multipoles may be electrostatic and may correspond to hexapoles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated sample alignment for microscopy are described herein. In one aspect a method can include: rotating the sample along a first axis by each of a plurality of rotation angles; imaging, with a charged particle beam, the sample for each rotation angle; and determining a first rotation angle based on the image for each rotation angle, wherein the first rotation angle aligns the sample to the charged particle beam in relation to the first axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer-readable media relating to area selection in charged particle microscope (CPM) imaging. For example, in some embodiments, a CPM support apparatus may include: first logic to generate a first data set associated with an area of a specimen by processing data from a first imaging round of the area by a CPM; second logic to generate predicted parameters of the area; and third logic to determine whether a second imaging round of the area is to be performed by the CPM based on the predicted parameters of the area; wherein the first logic is to, in response to a determination by the third logic that a second imaging round of the area is to be performed, generate a second data set, including measured parameters, associated with the area by processing data from a second imaging round of the area by the CPM.

Abstract: A method of imaging a sample includes acquiring one or more first images of a region of the sample at a first imaging condition with a charged particle microscope system. The one or more first images are applied to an input of a trained machine learning model to obtain a predicted image indicating atom structure probability in the region of the sample. An enhanced image indicating atom locations in the region of the sample based on the atom structure probability in the predicted image is caused to be displayed in response to obtaining the predicted image.

Abstract: Method for determining properties of a sample and a charged particle system for implementing the method are disclosed. The method includes providing at least one image of the sample based on first emissions from a plurality of first scan locations; determining at least one or a plurality of second scan location(s) for at least one or a plurality of region(s) of the at least one image; detecting second emissions from at least one of the second scan locations of at least one of the regions; and adjusting a second dwell period with respect to an average segmentation dwell period.

Abstract: Objective lenses, charged particle microscopes including the same, and associated methods are disclosed herein. An objective lens can include a lens body, a shielding electrode, and a steering electrode. The objective lens is configured such that varying a steering electrode voltage adjusts a location of a main objective plane of the objective lens to vary a focal working distance of the objective lens. A method can include positioning a sample relative to an objective lens and operating the objective lens to focus a charged particle beam to a focus location.

Abstract: Various approaches are provided for automatically focusing particle beams for SPA. In one example, a method includes determining a focus adjustment for a region of a sample to achieve a targeted defocus based on at least one defocus measurement from at least one neighboring region of the sample, and causing an acquisition of an image of the sample at the region with the focus adjustment. In this way, a targeted defocus may be achieved across regions of a sample with reduced auxiliary imaging, thereby providing increased and uniform image quality while reducing the time and thus increasing the throughput of processing.

Abstract: In a transmission electron microscope, an intermediate lens assembly receives a beam of electrons after leaving a primary lens and forms an image of a sample in a sample holder. The intermediate lens assembly comprises a first lens, a second lens, a first port in a first port plane and a second port in a second port plane. The first port and the second port receive a wave front manipulating device for manipulating the wave front of the beam. In a first mode, a controller controls the first and second lenses to direct the diffraction pattern into a second diffraction plane wherein the second diffraction plane is coincident with the first port plane. In a second mode, the controller controls the first and second lenses to direct the diffraction pattern into a third diffraction plane wherein the third diffraction plane is coincident with the second port plane.

Abstract: Variations in charged-particle-beam (CPB) source location are determined by scanning an alignment aperture that is fixed with respect to a beam defining aperture in a CPB, particularly at edges of a defocused CPB illumination disk. The alignment aperture is operable to transmit a CPB portion to a secondary emission surface that produces secondary emission directed to a scintillator element. Scintillation light produced in response is directed out of a vacuum enclosure associated with the CPB via a light guide to an external photodetection system.

Abstract: A system and method for spectrometry of a sample in a plasma is described. The system includes a split ring resonator, an electrode, and a delivery system. The split ring resonator has a discharge gap, and the electrode is arranged in proximity to, but spaced apart from, the discharge gap such that. When a sufficient power is supplied to a plasma generated in the discharge gap, the plasma extends towards and couples with the electrode, so that the plasma is established in a region between the discharge gap and the electrode. The delivery system is for introduction of a sample into the plasma established in the region between the discharge gap and the electrode. The system is configured to direct an output from the plasma to a spectrometer for analysis.

Abstract: Charged-particle beam (CPB) optical systems can include a beam acceptance aperture plate defining a first acceptance aperture and at least one second acceptance aperture, situated with respect to a CPB source so that a first CPB is transmitted by the first acceptance aperture and a second CPB is transmitted by a second acceptance aperture. A CPB lens is situated to receive the first and second CPBs from the beam acceptance aperture plate and direct the first and second CPBs towards a filter aperture plate to transmit selected spectral portion of the second CPB. The selected spectral component of the first CPB can be selectively directed to a workpiece by a beam steering deflector along the same axis. In some examples, the first and second CPBs have different beam currents and only one is directed to a workpiece.

Abstract: Methods for using a single electron microscope system for investigating a sample with twin electron beams having different focal lengths include the steps of emitting electrons toward the sample, forming the electrons into a two beams, and then modifying the focal properties of at least one of the two beams such that they have different focal planes. Once the two beams have different focal planes, the first electron beam is focused at the sample, and the second electron beam is focused so that it acts as a TEM beam that is parallel beam when incident on the sample. Emissions resultant from the first electron beam and the TEM beam being incident on the sample can then be detected by a single detector or detector array and used to generate a TEM image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing artificial intelligence enabled metrology are disclosed. An example method includes segmenting a first image of structure into one or more classes to form an at least partially segmented image, associating at least one class of the at least partially segmented image with a second image, and performing metrology on the second image based on the association with at least one class of the at least partially segmented image.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving first and second sample holders between respective first and second starting positions and respective first and second end positions comprises a guide assembly configured to: guide the first sample holder along a first path from the first starting position to the first end position and back along the first path from the first end position to the first starting position; and guide the second sample holder along a second path from the first starting position to the second end position and back along the second path from the second end position to the second starting position. The guide assembly is configured such that the first and second sample holders are spaced apart as they move along at least a portion of the lengths of their respective paths.

Abstract: A method of imaging a sample includes acquiring one or more first images of a region of the sample at a first imaging condition with a charged particle microscope system. The one or more first images are applied to an input of a trained machine learning model to obtain a predicted image indicating atom structure probability in the region of the sample. An enhanced image indicating atom locations in the region of the sample based on the atom structure probability in the predicted image is caused to be displayed in response to obtaining the predicted image.

Abstract: A charged particle beam microscope system directs a charged particle beam to a sample to produce a plurality of images for a plurality of areas of the sample. Respective first sets of one or more aberration predictor values are acquired for each of the plurality of images. During the image acquisition, an aberration measurement and a corresponding second set of aberration predictor values are periodically acquired. An aberration model is obtained using the aberration measurements the corresponding second sets of aberration predictor values, wherein the model takes a set of aberration predictor values as an input and outputs predicted aberration data. The model is applied to the first sets of aberration predictor values to obtain respective aberration data, which is used to reduce or at least partially correct for aberration in the charged particle microscope images. A sample reconstruction is obtained using the acquired charged particle microscope images.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating attachments between a sample manipulator and a sample within a charged particle systems are disclosed herein. Methods include translating a sample manipulator so that it is proximate to a sample, and milling portions of the sample manipulator such that portions are removed. The portion of the sample manipulator proximate to the sample is composed of a high sputter yield material, and the high sputter yield material may be the material milled with the charged particle beam such that it is removed from the sample manipulator. According to the present disclosure, the portions of the sample manipulator are milled such that at least some of the removed high sputter yield material redeposits to form an attachment between the sample manipulator and the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for preparing a cryogenic sample, whereby the sample is subjected to rapid cooling using a cryogen. A pair of conduits for transporting cryogenic fluid are provided, each of which conduits opens out into a mouthpiece, which mouthpieces are arranged to face each other across an intervening gap, wherein in the gap a sample that is provided on a substantially planar sample carrier can be received. Cryogenic fluid can be pumped through the conduits so as to concurrently flush from the mouthpieces and suddenly immerse the sample in cryogenic fluid from two opposite sides. As defined herein, at least one of the mouthpieces comprises at least two nozzle openings for evenly cooling the substantially planar sample carrier during the flushing.