Abstract: A charged particle beam source that may include an emitter that has a tip for emitting charged particles; a socket; electrodes; a filament that is connected to the electrodes and to the emitter; electrodes for providing electrical signals to the filament; a support element that is connected to the emitter; and a support structure that comprises one or more interfaces for contacting only a part of the support element while supporting the support element.

Abstract: A charged particle beam source that may include an emitter that has a tip for emitting charged particles; a socket; electrodes; a filament that is connected to the electrodes and to the emitter; electrodes for providing electrical signals to the filament; a support element that is connected to the emitter; and a support structure that comprises one or more interfaces for contacting only a part of the support element while supporting the support element.

Abstract: A charged particle beam source that may include an emitter that has a tip for emitting charged particles; a socket; electrodes; a filament that is connected to the electrodes and to the emitter; electrodes for providing electrical signals to the filament; a support element that is connected to the emitter; and a support structure that comprises one or more interfaces for contacting only a part of the support element while supporting the support element.

Abstract: A charged particle beam source that may include an emitter that has a tip for emitting charged particles; a socket; electrodes; a filament that is connected to the electrodes and to the emitter; electrodes for providing electrical signals to the filament; a support element that is connected to the emitter; and a support structure that comprises one or more interfaces for contacting only a part of the support element while supporting the support element.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; a chuck; a movement system; wherein the first chamber comprises: a first element that has a first surface; a first chamber housing that comprises a second surface; wherein the first surface and the second surface come into proximity with each other at a first interface; a supporting element for supporting the chuck when the chuck is positioned within the first chamber; and a first dynamic seal formed at the first interface and is arranged to seal the first chamber from the movement system; wherein the second chamber comprises: a second chamber housing; a movement system that is arranged to introduce movement between (a) the first chamber housing and (b) the first element and the chuck; and a movement control element for mechanically coupling the first element to the movement system.

Abstract: Chamber elements defining an internal chamber to be utilized during a substrate related stage selected from the group consisting of substrate manufacturing stage and substrate inspection stage, the chamber elements comprising: a first element having a first surface; a second element having a second surface about the periphery of the internal chamber; a third element connected to the second element; and a clamping mechanism that is connected to the second and third elements and is arranged to press the second element towards the first element; wherein a first area of the first surface and a second area of the second surface come into proximity with each other at a first interface; wherein the first surface is positioned above the second surface; wherein a gas groove and a vacuum groove are formed in the second area; wherein the second element comprises a gas conduit that is arranged to provide gas to the gas groove and a vacuum conduit that is arranged to provide vacuum to the vacuum groove; wherein a provisio

Abstract: A mirror support module having a body that includes an internal portion surrounding an inner space, an external portion, an aperture formed in the body and an intermediate region that extends between a segment of the internal portion and the aperture. When the intermediate region is subjected to a force directed in a first direction, the intermediate region can be moved in the first direction towards the aperture to reduce an area of the aperture while the external portion remains stable regardless of movement of the intermediate region.

Abstract: There is provided a slit valve, comprising: a first slit valve portion having a first window therethrough, the first window is sized to permit passage of an object through the first window; wherein the first window is surrounded by a first area of the first slit valve portion; a second slit valve portion that comprises a first sealing element and a first positioning module; wherein the first positioning module is arranged to move the first sealing element in relation to the first window; wherein at least one slit valve portion of the first and second slit valve portions comprises at least one first gas opening for emitting pressurized gas so as to assist in a creation of a first gas cushion between the first area and the first sealing element when the first sealing element is placed adjacent to the first window thus creating a seal between the first and second slit valve portions.

Abstract: Chamber elements defining an internal chamber to be utilized during a substrate related stage selected from the group consisting of substrate manufacturing stage and substrate inspection stage, the chamber elements comprising: a first element having a first surface; a second element having a second surface about the periphery of the internal chamber; a third element connected to the second element; and a clamping mechanism that is connected to the second and third elements and is arranged to press the second element towards the first element; wherein a first area of the first surface and a second area of the second surface come into proximity with each other at a first interface; wherein the first surface is positioned above the second surface; wherein a gas groove and a vacuum groove are formed in the second area; wherein the second element comprises a gas conduit that is arranged to provide gas to the gas groove and a vacuum conduit that is arranged to provide vacuum to the vacuum groove; wherein a provisio

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; a chuck; a movement system; wherein the first chamber comprises: a first element that has a first surface; a first chamber housing that comprises a second surface; wherein the first surface and the second surface come into proximity with each other at a first interface; a supporting element for supporting the chuck when the chuck is positioned within the first chamber; and a first dynamic seal formed at the first interface and is arranged to seal the first chamber from the movement system; wherein the second chamber comprises: a second chamber housing; a movement system that is arranged to introduce movement between (a) the first chamber housing and (b) the first element and the chuck; and a movement control element for mechanically coupling the first element to the movement system.

Abstract: Chamber elements defining a chamber include a first element having a first surface, a second element, a first dynamic seal and load mechanism. The second element includes an outer floating element that includes a second surface about the periphery of the chamber, and an inner floating element. The second surface and the first surface are maintained proximate to each other when the chamber is in a load position and when the chamber is closed. The load mechanism may move the inner floating element from the outer floating element until a gap between the inner floating element and the second element to facilitate loading of the device to the chamber. A movement system may generate relative movement between the first element and the second element.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a slit valve, comprising: a first slit valve portion having a first window therethrough, the first window is sized to permit passage of an object through the first window; wherein the first window is surrounded by a first area of the first slit valve portion; a second slit valve portion that comprises a first sealing element and a first positioning module; wherein the first positioning module is arranged to move the first sealing element in relation to the first window; wherein at least one slit valve portion of the first and second slit valve portions comprises at least one first gas opening for emitting pressurized gas so as to assist in a creation of a first gas cushion between the first area and the first sealing element when the first sealing element is placed adjacent to the first window thus creating a seal between the first and second slit valve portions.

Abstract: Chamber elements defining a chamber include a first element having a first surface, a second element, a first dynamic seal and load mechanism. The second element includes an outer floating element that includes a second surface about the periphery of the chamber, and an inner floating element. The second surface and the first surface are maintained proximate to each other when the chamber is in a load position and when the chamber is closed. The load mechanism may move the inner floating element from the outer floating element until a gap between the inner floating element and the second element to facilitate loading of the device to the chamber. A movement system may generate relative movement between the first element and the second element.