Abstract: An electron beam column comprises a thermal field emission electron source to generate an electron beam, an electron beam blanker, a beam shaping module, and electron beam optics comprising a plurality of electron beam lenses. In one version, the optical parameters of the electron beam blanker, beam shaping module, and electron beam optics are set to achieve an acceptance semi-angle ? of from about ¼ to about 3 mrads, where the acceptance semi-angle ? is the half the angle subtended by the electron beam at the writing plane. The beam-shaping module can also operate as a single lens using upper and lower projection lenses. A multifunction module for an electron beam column is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides electron multiple beam devices (1) for probing or structuring a non-transparent specimen (20) with primary electron beams (14) with an array of electron beam sources (3) to generate multiple primary electron beams (14), an electron sensor (12) with electron sensor segments (12a) to detect electrons of the primary electron beams (14) and at least one anode (7) to direct the primary electron beams (14) towards the electron sensor (12). The electron sensor (12) serves to inspect the primary electron beams (14), calibrate the positions of the primary electron beams (14) and possibly adjust final focus length (13) and currents of the primary electron beams before or after a probing or structuring the upper surface (20a) of a non-transparent specimens (20). Further, methods to inspect primary electron beams (14), to adjust final focus lengths (13) and to calibrate the multiple electron beam device (1) are provided.