Abstract: A method of evaluating astigmatism of an irradiation system irradiating an electron beam is disclosed. In this method, a figure pattern consisting of plural (for example, four) concentric circles is formed on a reference sample “WP” and an image (scanned image) is formed based on an electron signal obtained by scanning the electron beam onto the reference sample “WP”. In the scanned image, the image has a blur in a region with its longitudinal direction parallel to the generating direction of the astigmatism and the size of the blur depends on magnitude of the astigmatism. Therefore, the direction and the magnitude of the astigmatism of the irradiation system of an irradiation apparatus can be detected based on the obtained scanned image.

Abstract: A method of evaluating astigmatism of an irradiation system irradiating an electron beam is disclosed. In this method, a figure pattern consisting of plural (for example, four) concentric circles is formed on a reference sample “WP” and an image (scanned image) is formed based on an electron signal obtained by scanning the electron beam onto the reference sample “WP”. In the scanned image, the image has a blur in a region with its longitudinal direction parallel to the generating direction of the astigmatism and the size of the blur depends on magnitude of the astigmatism. Therefore, the direction and the magnitude of the astigmatism of the irradiation system of an irradiation apparatus can be detected based on the obtained scanned image.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a device and method for writing a line with a high degree of precision at high speed. Distance calculation means 311 calculates the start-to-end point distance L of a writing pattern (S502), and number-of-scan-clocks calculating means 312 calculates the number of scan clocks required to write the writing pattern based on the start-to-end point distance L and a unit distance corresponding to the minimum time resolution for a high-speed D/A converter 306 (S503). Count conversion means 605 separates the start-to-end point distance L into X and Y components to convert them in an equation using the number of scan clocks (S504). Based on the equation, variable rate calculating means 314 calculates an extinction ratio to determine the extinction ratio at a variable attenuator 307 (S505).

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a device and method for writing a line with a high degree of precision at high speed. Distance calculation means 311 calculates the start-to-end point distance L of a writing pattern (S502), and number-of-scan-clocks calculating means 312 calculates the number of scan clocks required to write the writing pattern based on the start-to-end point distance L and a unit distance corresponding to the minimum time resolution for a high-speed D/A converter 306 (S503). Count conversion means 605 separates the start-to-end point distance L into X and Y components to convert them in an equation using the number of scan clocks (S504). Based on the equation, variable rate calculating means 314 calculates an extinction ratio to determine the extinction ratio at a variable attenuator 307 (S505).