Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating or altering a microstructure use means for heating to facilitate a local chemical reaction that forms or alters the submicrostructure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating or altering a microstructure use means for heating to facilitate a local chemical reaction that forms or alters the submicrostructure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating or altering a microstructure use means for heating to facilitate a local chemical reaction that forms or alters the submicrostructure.

Abstract: A multiple magnification optical system has a single objective focused upon a specimen at a given working distance. A graded-index lens receives light passing through the objective from the specimen. A beam splitter splits the light exiting the gradient-index lens into a first optical axis and a second optical axis. A first lens is aligned in the first optical axis between the beam splitter and a first camera to focus a magnified image at the first camera. A second camera is situated along the second optical axis from the rear principal plane of the objective so as to obtain unity magnification when the working distance of the objective is set at twice its focal length. Multiple magnifications can be obtained with a single objective by moving the optical system axially to set different working distances from a specimen, and by using multiple beam splitters, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A single-channel optical processing system for an energetic-beam instrument has separate sources for processing radiation and illumination radiation. The processing radiation and the illumination radiation are combined in a single optical path and directed to a sample surface inside the energetic-beam instrument through a self-focusing rod lens. The self-focusing rod lens thus has a working distance from the sample surface that will not interfere with typical arrangements of ion beams and electron beams in such instruments. A combination of polarizers and beam splitters allows separation of the combined incident radiation and the combined radiation reflected from the sample surface and returned through the same optical channel, so that the reflected radiation may be directed to an optical detector, such as a camera or spectrometer. In other embodiments, additional illumination of the sample surface is provided at an angle to the central axis of the self-focusing rod lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous parallel processing of a sample using light energy for optical viewing or surface processing in parallel with a charged particle beam. A charged particle beam transmits a focused ion beam or an electron beam along a path to a sample. An optical microscope transmits light along a first path to the sample, and a prism aligned along the first light path reflects light into a second light path toward the sample. A portion of the prism and reflective surface is removed for passage of the charged particle beam. A lens is aligned along the second light path and has a portion removed for passage of the charged particle beam. The removed portions of the prism and lens are aligned along the charged particle beam path to permit parallel delivery of the charged particle beam and the light to substantially the same portion of the sample.

Abstract: We disclose a method of electron-beam induced of etching the surface of a specimen in a charged-particle beam instrument, where the charged-particle beam instrument has first and second laser beams, an electron beam, and a gas-injection system for applying etchant gas to the surface. Etching is accomplished by applying a photolytic pulse from the first laser to the surface; applying a pyrolytic pulse from the second laser to the surface; and, applying an etchant gas to the surface at least during the pyrolytic pulse. Two or more alternating pyrolytic laser pulses and photolytic laser pulses may be applied to the surface. The stage supporting the specimen may be tilted relative to the axis of the electron beam before applying the electron beam to the surface of the specimen. The electron beam is applied to the surface of the specimen during the time the etchant gas is present at the surface.

Abstract: A multiple magnification optical system (220) for viewing a specimen has a single objective lens (100) focused upon a specimen (115) at a given working distance (180). A graded-index lens (120) is positioned to receive light passing through the objective lens (100) from the specimen (115) and preserve the phase of the light entering from the objective (100). A beam splitter (130) splits the light exiting the gradient-index lens (120) into a first optical axis (200) and a second optical axis (210). The objective lens (100) is located within the chamber of a vacuum instrument, and the beam splitter (130) and parts following in the optical train are located outside the vacuum chamber. A first lens (130) is aligned in the first optical axis (200) between the beam splitter (130) and a first camera (150) to focus a magnified image at the first camera (150).

Abstract: We disclose method for materials deposition on a surface inside an energetic-beam instrument, where the energetic beam instrument is provided with a laser beam, an electron beam, and a source of precursor gas. The electron beam is focused on the surface, and the laser beam is focused to a focal point that is at a distance above the surface of about 5 microns to one mm, preferably from 5 to 50 microns. The focal point of the laser beam will thus be within the stream of precursor gas injected at the sample surface, so that the laser beam will facilitate reactions in this gas cloud with less heating of the surface. A second laser may be used for cleaning the surface.

Abstract: A single-channel optical processing system for an energetic-beam instrument has separate sources for processing radiation and illumination radiation. The processing radiation and the illumination radiation are combined in a single optical path and directed to a sample surface inside the energetic-beam instrument through a self-focusing rod lens. The self-focusing rod lens thus has a working distance from the sample surface that will not interfere with typical arrangements of ion beams and electron beams in such instruments. A combination of polarizers and beam splitters allows separation of the combined incident radiation and the combined radiation reflected from the sample surface and returned through the same optical channel, so that the reflected radiation may be directed to an optical detector, such as a camera or spectrometer. In other embodiments, additional illumination of the sample surface is provided at an angle to the central axis of the self-focusing rod lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous parallel processing of a sample using light energy for optical viewing or surface processing in parallel with a charged particle beam. A charged particle beam transmits a focused ion beam or an electron beam along a path to a sample. An optical microscope transmits light along a first path to the sample, and a prism aligned along the first light path reflects light into a second light path toward the sample. A portion of the prism and reflective surface is removed for passage of the charged particle beam. A lens is aligned along the second light path and has a portion removed for passage of the charged particle beam. The removed portions of the prism and lens are aligned along the charged particle beam path to permit parallel delivery of the charged particle beam and the light to substantially the same portion of the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating or altering a microstructure use means for heating to facilitate a local chemical reaction that forms or alters the submicrostructure.

Abstract: An optical-fiber based light channel system is included in an ion/electron beam tool for imaging and/or processing integrated circuits. The optical channel system includes an image collection portion, an optical fiber image transmission portion and a detector portion. The image collection portion includes micro-optical components and has submillimeter dimensions, so that it is easily accommodated within the working distance of the ion/electron beam tool. The entire system is sufficiently compact and lightweight so that it may easily be mounted on a translation stage inside the sample chamber, which permits the optical channel to be mechanically extended and retracted to avoid blocking the primary ion or electron beam. The system may be mounted to a translation stage or to a gas injector assembly, which may itself be mounted to a flange plate on the chamber wall with feed-through ports for electrical and optical signals.

Abstract: An optical-fiber based light channel system is included in an ion/electron beam tool for imaging and/or processing integrated circuits. The optical channel system includes an image collection portion, an optical fiber image transmission portion and a detector portion. The image collection portion includes micro-optical components and has submillimeter dimensions, so that it is easily accommodated within the working distance of the ion/electron beam tool. The entire system is sufficiently compact and lightweight so that it may easily be mounted on a translation stage inside the sample chamber, which permits the optical channel to be mechanically extended and retracted to avoid blocking the primary ion or electron beam. The system may be mounted to a translation stage or to a gas injector assembly, which may itself be mounted to a flange plate on the chamber wall with feed-through ports for electrical and optical signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating or altering a microstructure use means for heating to facilitate a local chemical reaction that forms or alters the submicrostructure.

Abstract: A method and structure for an apparatus for removing metal from an integrated circuit structure is disclosed. A container holds an integrated circuit structure that has a metal portion. An electronic device connected to the container produces an electronic field proximate to a limited region of the metal portion. A first supply connected to the container supplies an oxidizing agent within the container. A solvent supply connected to the container supplies solvent to the limited region of the metal portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for editing an integrated circuit by bombarding a feature in need of editing with either a low-energy or high-energy electron beam in the presence of a gas whereby low energy electrons activate reactants adsorbed on the surface of the feature in need of editing to form active species on the feature surface. The reaction products from the process can be easily removed whereby IC damage, leakage between metal features, wafer contamination and physical sputtering of undesired material can be significantly minimized while still possessing nanometer-scale spatial resolution. The low energy electrons for activating the reactants adsorbed on the surface of the feature to be edited may be emitted from the electron beam itself or they may be secondary low energy is electrons emitted from the surface of the feature being edited.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for editing an integrated circuit by bombarding a feature in need of editing with either a low-energy or high-energy electron beam in the presence of a gas whereby low energy electrons activate reactants adsorbed on the surface of the feature in need of editing to form active species on the feature surface. The reaction products from the process can be easily removed whereby IC damage, leakage between metal features, wafer contamination and physical sputtering of undesired material can be significantly minimized while still possessing nanometer-scale spatial resolution. The low energy electrons for activating the reactants adsorbed on the surface of the feature to be edited may be emitted from the electron beam itself or they may be secondary low energy electrons emitted from the surface of the feature being edited.

Abstract: A method and structure for an apparatus for removing metal from an integrated circuit structure is disclosed. A container holds an integrated circuit structure that has a metal portion. An electronic device connected to the container produces an electronic field proximate to a limited region of the metal portion. A first supply connected to the container supplies an oxidizing agent within the container. A solvent supply connected to the container supplies solvent to the limited region of the metal portion.

Abstract: This invention involves a fiber probe device and a method of making it. The probe includes a relatively thick upper cylindrical portion, typically in the form of a solid fight circular cylinder, terminating in a tapered portion that terminates in a relatively thin lower cylindrical portion, typically also in the form of a solid right circular cylinder, the lower portion having a width (diameter) in the approximate range of as little as approximately 0.05 .mu.m.