Abstract: The invention proposes a method for processing a sample with a processing arrangement, comprising the steps of: taking up a particle adhering on a sample surface of the sample with a measuring tip of the processing arrangement; modifying a physical and/or chemical nature of a surface section on the sample or on a deposition unit for providing an activated surface section; and moving the measuring tip into an interaction region of the activated surface section in which an attractive interaction acts between the particle taken up by the measuring tip and the activated surface section in order to transfer the particle from the measuring tip to the activated surface section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, to an apparatus and to a computer program for processing of a lithography object. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for removing a material, to a corresponding apparatus and to a method for lithographic processing of a wafer, and to a computer program for performing the methods. A method for processing a lithography object comprises, for example: providing a first gas comprising first molecules; providing a particle beam in a working region of the object for removal of a first material in the working region based at least partly on the first gas, wherein the first material comprises ruthenium.

Abstract: Method for the particle beam-induced etching of a lithography mask, more particularly a non-transmissive EUV lithography mask, having the steps of: a) providing the lithography mask in a process atmosphere, b) beaming a focused particle beam onto a target position on the lithography mask, c) supplying at least one first gaseous component to the target position in the process atmosphere, where the first gaseous component can be converted by activation into a reactive form, where the reactive form reacts with a material of the lithography mask to form a volatile compound, and d) supplying at least one second gaseous component to the target position in the process atmosphere, where the second gaseous component under predetermined process conditions with exposure to the particle beam forms a deposit comprising a compound of silicon with oxygen, nitrogen and/or carbon.