Abstract: An openable gas passage provides for rapid pumpout of process or bake out gases in an inductively coupled plasma source in a charged particle beam system. A valve, typically positioned in the source electrode or part of the gas inlet, increases the gas conductance when opened to pump out the plasma chamber and closes during operation of the plasma source.

Abstract: A multi-element electrostatic chicane energy filter, with the addition of electrostatic quadrupole and hexapole excitations to the dipole elements. A charged particle energy filter according to the present invention with a combination of dipole, quadrupole, and hexapole elements capable of producing a line focus at an aperture reduces space-charge effects and aperture damage. A preferred embodiment allows the filter to act as a conjugate blanking system. The energy filter is capable of narrowing the energy spread to result in a smaller beam.

Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber with a removably attached source electrode. A fastening mechanism connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible.

Abstract: A method and system for the imaging and localization of fluorescent markers such as fluorescent proteins or quantum dots within biological samples is disclosed. The use of recombinant genetics technology to insert “reporter” genes into many species is well established. In particular, green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) and their genetically-modified variants ranging from blue to yellow, are easily spliced into many genomes at the sites of genes of interest (GoIs), where the GFPs are expressed with no apparent effect on the functioning of the proteins of interest (PoIs) coded for by the GoIs. One goal of biologists is more precise localization of PoIs within cells. The invention is a method and system for enabling more rapid and precise PoI localization using charged particle beam-induced damage to GFPs. Multiple embodiments of systems for implementing the method are presented, along with an image processing method relatively immune to high statistical noise levels.

Abstract: An inductively-coupled plasma source for a focused charged particle beam system includes a plasma chamber and a fluid that is not actively pumped surrounding the plasma chamber for providing high voltage isolation between the plasma chamber and nearby parts which are at ground potential, such as a conductive shield. One or more cooling devices cool the plasma chamber by using evaporative cooling and heat pipes to dissipate the heat from the plasma chamber into a surrounding environment.

Abstract: An inductively-coupled plasma source for a focused charged particle beam system includes a conductive shield that provides improved electrical isolation and reduced capacitive RF coupling and a dielectric fluid that insulates and cools the plasma chamber. The conductive shield may be enclosed in a solid dielectric media. The dielectric fluid may be circulated by a pump or not circulated by a pump. A heat tube can be used to cool the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber with a removably attached source electrode. A fastening mechanism connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible.

Abstract: An improved beam-defining aperture structure and method for fabrication is realized. An aperture opening is made in a thin conductive film positioned over a cavity in a support substrate, where the aperture size and shape is determined by the opening in the conductive film and not determined by the substrate.

Abstract: An openable gas passage provides for rapid pumpout of process or bake out gases in an inductively coupled plasma source in a charged particle beam system. A valve, typically positioned in the source electrode or part of the gas inlet, increases the gas conductance when opened to pump out the plasma chamber and closes during operation of the plasma source.

Abstract: A split grid multi-channel secondary particle detector for a charged particle beam system includes a first grid segment and a second grid segment, each having independent bias voltages creating an electric field such that the on-axis secondary particles that are emitted from the target are directed to one of the grids. The bias voltages of the grids can be changed or reversed so that each grid can be used to detect the secondary particles and the multi-channel particle detector as a whole can extend its lifetime.

Abstract: A method and system for the imaging and localization of fluorescent markers such as fluorescent proteins or quantum dots within biological samples is disclosed. The use of recombinant genetics technology to insert “reporter” genes into many species is well established. In particular, green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) and their genetically-modified variants ranging from blue to yellow, are easily spliced into many genomes at the sites of genes of interest (GoIs), where the GFPs are expressed with no apparent effect on the functioning of the proteins of interest (PoIs) coded for by the GoIs. One goal of biologists is more precise localization of PoIs within cells. The invention is a method and system for enabling more rapid and precise PoI localization using charged particle beam-induced damage to GFPs. Multiple embodiments of systems for implementing the method are presented, along with an image processing method relatively immune to high statistical noise levels.

Abstract: A charged particle source for a focused particle beam system such as a transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), or focused ion beam (FIB) system is disclosed. The source employs a multiplicity of independently-addressable emitters within a small region which can be centered on the axis of the charged particle system. All of the emitters may be individually controlled to enable emission from one or more tips simultaneously. A mode with only one emitter activated corresponds to high brightness, while modes with multiple emitters simultaneously activated provides high angular intensities with lower brightness. Source lifetimes can be extended through sequential use of single emitters. A combined mechanical and electrical alignment procedure for all emitters is described.

Abstract: A method and structure are described for preventing the accidental introduction of gasoline into the fuel system of a diesel-powered vehicle. In a first preferred embodiment, a gasoline fuel nozzle is configured with a magnet, such as magnetic strips, and the entrance to a fill tube of a diesel-powered is configured with a magnetic field sensor ring. When an incorrect fueling operation, such as the introduction of gasoline into the fuel tank of the diesel-powered vehicle, is attempted the sensor ring alerts the operator visually and/or audibly before fueling starts, thereby preventing incorrect fueling. In alternative embodiments, sensing of an attempted incorrect fueling operation may require only the sensor ring.

Abstract: A charged particle shaped beam column includes: an objective lens configured to form a charged particle shaped beam on the surface of a substrate, wherein the disk of least confusion of the objective lens does not coincide with the surface of the substrate; an optical element with 8N poles disposed radially symmetrically about the optic axis of the column, the optical element being positioned between a condenser lens and the objective lens, wherein integer N1; and a power supply applying excitations to the optical element's 8N poles to provide an octupole electromagnetic field. The octupole electromagnetic field induces azimuthally-varying third-order deflections to beam trajectories passing through the 8N-pole optical element. By controlling the excitation of the 8N poles a shaped beam, such as a square beam, can be formed at the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An inductively-coupled plasma source for a focused charged particle beam system includes a conductive shield that provides improved electrical isolation and reduced capacitive RF coupling and a dielectric fluid that insulates and cools the plasma chamber. The conductive shield may be enclosed in a solid dielectric media. The dielectric fluid may be circulated by a pump or not circulated by a pump. A heat tube can be used to cool the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: An openable gas passage provides for rapid pumpout of process or bake out gases in an inductively coupled plasma source in a charged particle beam system. A valve, typically positioned in the source electrode or part of the gas inlet, increases the gas conductance when opened to pump out the plasma chamber and closes during operation of the plasma source.

Abstract: A split grid multi-channel secondary particle detector for a charged particle beam system includes a first grid segment and a second grid segment, each having independent bias voltages creating an electric field such that the on-axis secondary particles that are emitted from the target are directed to one of the grids. The bias voltages of the grids can be changed or reversed so that each grid can be used to detect the secondary particles and the multi-channel particle detector as a whole can extend its lifetime.

Abstract: A high brightness ion source with a gas chamber includes multiple channels, wherein the multiple channels each have a different gas. An electron beam is passed through one of the channels to provide ions of a certain species for processing a sample. The ion species can be rapidly changed by directing the electrons into another channel with a different gas species and processing a sample with ions of a second species. Deflection plates are used to align the electron beam into the gas chamber, thereby allowing the gas species in the focused ion beam to be switched quickly.

Abstract: A system for creating a substantially planar face in a substrate, the system including directing one or more beams at a first surface of a substrate to remove material from a first location, the beam being offset from a normal to the first surface by a curtaining angle; sweeping the one or more beams in a plane that is perpendicular to the first surface to mill one or more initial cuts, the initial cuts exposing a second surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface; rotating the substrate about an axis other than an axis normal to the first beam or parallel to the first beam; directing the first beam at the second surface to remove additional material from the substrate without changing the curtaining angle; and scanning the one or more beams in across the second surface to mill one or more finishing cuts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively monitoring conditions of a plasma source for adjustment and control of the source and to detect the presence of unwanted contaminant species in a plasma reaction chamber. Preferred embodiments include a spectrometer used to quantify components of the plasma. A system controller is provided that uses feedback loops based on spectral analysis of the plasma to regulate the ion composition of the plasma source. The system also provides endpointing means based on spectral analysis to determine when cleaning of the plasma source is completed.