Abstract: In an upper main body of a sample holder, a laminate of an insulative thin film and a secondary electron emission protective thin film is provided. An electron beam emitted from an electron gun enters the secondary electron emission protective thin film side. The undersurface of the insulative thin film is a sample adhesion surface, where a sample to be an observation target is held by adsorption or the like. The secondary electron emission protective thin film is made of a material having a low secondary electron emission coefficient ? and, preferably, is non-insulative. That is, the secondary electron emission protective thin film is conductive even though the electric resistance is high. Accordingly, the charge level of a site irradiated with the electron beam has a low charge level.

Abstract: In an upper main body of a sample holder, a laminate of an insulative thin film and a secondary electron emission protective thin film is provided. An electron beam emitted from an electron gun enters the secondary electron emission protective thin film side. The undersurface of the insulative thin film is a sample adhesion surface, where a sample to be an observation target is held by adsorption or the like. The secondary electron emission protective thin film is made of a material having a low secondary electron emission coefficient ? and, preferably, is non-insulative. That is, the secondary electron emission protective thin film is conductive even though the electric resistance is high. Accordingly, the charge level of a site irradiated with the electron beam has a low charge level.