Abstract: Magnetic lenses, charged particle microscope systems including the same, and associated methods. In an example, a magnetic lens is configured to direct a charged particle beam to a sample location and comprises a plurality of pole pieces and at least two independent coils. The magnetic lens operates as an objective lens with variable main objective plane without immersing a sample in a magnetic field. The variable main objective plane permits selective adjustment of a magnification of the charged particle beam at the focal plane without immersing the sample location in the magnetic fields produced by coils of the magnetic lens. In an example, a charged particle microscope system comprises a charged particle source, a sample holder, and a magnetic objective lens. In an example, a method comprises positioning a sample relative to a magnetic lens and operating the magnetic lens to focus a charged particle beam to a focus location.

Abstract: A charged particle lens for focusing a beam of charged particles towards a sample mounted at a sample position. The charged particle lens comprises a first pole piece, a second pole piece, a lens coil and at least one voltage supply. The second pole piece is electrically insulated from the first pole piece and has a central aperture, wherein the second pole piece is arranged to be aligned with the first pole piece, which also has a central aperture, such that a central axis of the charged particle lens extends through the central aperture of the first pole piece and the second pole piece. The lens coil is arranged to generate a magnetic field at the first and second pole pieces, and the at least one voltage supply is arranged to apply a potential difference between the second pole piece and the sample to generate an electric field.

Abstract: The charged beam particle system including a first electron detector, a second electron detector, and a first scanning deflector positioned between the first electron detector and the second electron detector, where the first scanning deflector includes a deflector interior surface including a frustoconical shape.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, methods, algorithms, and non-transitory media storing computer-readable instructions for charged particle imaging and microanalysis. A charged particle beam system can include an objective lens assembly, defining an aperture collocated with a first axis. The system can include a bifurcated acceleration tube. The acceleration tube can include a primary segment, a secondary segment, intersecting the primary segment, the secondary segment being oriented at an angle, a, relative to the first axis, and a common segment, disposed at least partially in the aperture. The system can include a separator. The separator can include one or more charged-particle optical elements disposed in the common segment and configured to apply a deflection force to electrons having a negative velocity in a first direction. The deflection force can redirect the electrons toward a second direction substantially aligned with a second axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems to determine positions of multiple beamlets includes performing a first scan by scanning the beamlets over a first sample region and acquiring multiple cell images; and performing a second scan by scanning the beamlets over a second sample region and acquiring multiple cell images. Each cell image corresponds to a beamlet, and at least a part of an overlapped region between the first sample region and the second sample region is scanned by multiple beamlets during both the first scan and the second scan. Position of each beamlet may then be determined based on the corresponding cell images acquired during the first scan and the second scan.

Abstract: Magnetic lenses, charged particle microscope systems including the same, and associated methods. In an example, a magnetic lens is configured to direct a charged particle beam to a sample location and comprises a plurality of pole pieces and at least two independent coils. The magnetic lens operates as an objective lens with variable main objective plane without immersing a sample in a magnetic field. The variable main objective plane permits selective adjustment of a magnification of the charged particle beam at the focal plane without immersing the sample location in the magnetic fields produced by coils of the magnetic lens. In an example, a charged particle microscope system comprises a charged particle source, a sample holder, and a magnetic objective lens. In an example, a method comprises positioning a sample relative to a magnetic lens and operating the magnetic lens to focus a charged particle beam to a focus location.

Abstract: An example multi-beam scanning electron microscope (MB-SEM) for correcting both astigmatism and linear distortion at least includes an electron source coupled to provide an electron beam, an aperture plate comprising an array of apertures, the aperture plate arranged to form an array of electron beamlets from the electron beam, and an electron column including a plurality of lenses and first and second stigmators, the electron column coupled to direct the array of electron beamlets toward a sample, wherein the first and second stigmators are arranged and excited to correct both astigmatism and linear distortion.

Abstract: The beamlets in a multi-beam microscopy system are aligned based on coefficients of a fitted aberration model. In particular, an illuminator for directing the beamlets towards the sample is adjusted based on the coefficients to correct the aberrations. The coefficients are obtained based on measured beamlets' positions in the sample plane.

Abstract: The beamlets in a multi-beam microscopy system are aligned based on coefficients of a fitted aberration model. In particular, an illuminator for directing the beamlets towards the sample is adjusted based on the coefficients to correct the aberrations. The coefficients are obtained based on measured beamlets' positions in the sample plane.

Abstract: Methods and systems to determine positions of multiple beamlets includes performing a first scan by scanning the beamlets over a first sample region and acquiring multiple cell images; and performing a second scan by scanning the beamlets over a second sample region and acquiring multiple cell images. Each cell image corresponds to a beamlet, and at least a part of an overlapped region between the first sample region and the second sample region is scanned by multiple beamlets during both the first scan and the second scan. Position of each beamlet may then be determined based on the corresponding cell images acquired during the first scan and the second scan.

Abstract: The invention relates to system and method of inspecting a specimen with a plurality of charged particle beamlets. The method comprises the steps of providing a specimen, providing a plurality of charged particle beamlets and focusing said plurality of charged particle beamlets onto said specimen, and detecting a flux of radiation emanating from the specimen in response to said irradiation by said plurality of charged particle beamlets.

Abstract: An example multi-beam scanning electron microscope (MB-SEM) for correcting both astigmatism and linear distortion at least includes an electron source coupled to provide an electron beam, an aperture plate comprising an array of apertures, the aperture plate arranged to form an array of electron beamlets from the electron beam, and an electron column including a plurality of lenses and first and second stigmators, the electron column coupled to direct the array of electron beamlets toward a sample, wherein the first and second stigmators are arranged and excited to correct both astigmatism and linear distortion.

Abstract: The invention relates to system and method of inspecting a specimen with a plurality of charged particle beamlets. The method comprises the steps of providing a specimen, providing a plurality of charged particle beamlets and focusing said plurality of charged particle beamlets onto said specimen, and detecting a flux of radiation emanating from the specimen in response to said irradiation by said plurality of charged particle beamlets.