Abstract: In an electron beam proximity exposure apparatus comprising an electron beam source, which emits a collimated electron beam, a mask substrate on which a plurality of masks with apertures are formed, a mask moving mechanism, which moves the mask substrate, and a stage, which holds and moves an object, the mask moving mechanism moves the mask substrate so that one of the plurality of masks is arranged on a path of the electron beam in proximity to a surface of the object, and a pattern corresponding to the aperture of the one of the plurality of masks is exposed on the surface of the object with the electron beam having passed through the aperture. Thus, the frequency of taking the mask out of the apparatus to exchange the mask is reduced, so that the throughput of the apparatus is improved.

Abstract: The electron beam proximity exposure apparatus comprises: an electron beam source which emits an electron beam; an electron beam shaping device which shapes the electron beam; a mask which has an aperture and is disposed on a path of the shaped electron beam; a deflecting and scanning device which deflects the electron beam to scan the mask with the shaped electron beam; and a stage which holds and moves an object, wherein the mask is disposed in proximity to a surface of the object, and a pattern corresponding to the aperture of the mask is exposed on the surface of the object with the electron beam having passed through the aperture, wherein the electron beam shaping device shapes the electron beam into a slender beam of which cross section has a small width in a direction of the scanning and a large width in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the scanning.

Abstract: The electronic beam proximity exposure apparatus comprises: an electron beam proximity exposure section which exposes a pattern corresponding to an aperture of a mask on a surface of an object with an electron beam having passed through the aperture of the mask, the mask being disposed in proximity to the surface of the object; a mask inspecting section which inspects the mask; and a mask carrying mechanism which carries the mask between the electron beam proximity exposure section and the mask inspecting section, and is characterized in that the electron beam proximity exposure section, the mask inspecting section and the mask carrying mechanism are communicated with one another through a common vacuum path so that the mask can be carried in a vacuum condition between the electron beam proximity exposure section and the mask inspecting section.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mask which is used in an electron beam proximity exposure apparatus comprising an electron beam source which emits a collimated electron beam, the mask having an aperture which is arranged on a path of the electron beam, and a stage which holds and moves an object, wherein the mask is arranged in proximity to a surface of the object and a pattern corresponding to the aperture of the mask is exposed on the surface of the object with the electron beam having passed through the aperture, the method comprises the steps of: dividing the mask into a plurality of partial areas, and forming a plurality of partial masks which have apertures with patterns identical with the plurality of partial areas, respectively; and manufacturing the mask by exposing the patterns of the plurality of partial masks on corresponding positions of a mask substrate in an electron beam proximity exposure method.

Abstract: The electron beam proximity exposure apparatus comprises: an electron beam source which emits an electron beam; an electron beam shaping device which shapes the electron beam; a mask which has an aperture and is disposed on a path of the shaped electron beam; a deflecting and scanning device which deflects the electron beam to scan the mask with the shaped electron beam; and a stage which holds and moves an object, wherein the mask is disposed in proximity to a surface of the object, and a pattern corresponding to the aperture of the mask is exposed on the surface of the object with the electron beam having passed through the aperture, wherein the electron beam shaping device shapes the electron beam into a slender beam of which cross section has a small width in a direction of the scanning and a large width in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the scanning.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mask which is used in an electron beam proximity exposure apparatus comprising an electron beam source which emits a collimated electron beam, the mask having an aperture which is arranged on a path of the electron beam, and a stage which holds and moves an object, wherein the mask is arranged in proximity to a surface of the object and a pattern corresponding to the aperture of the mask is exposed on the surface of the object with the electron beam having passed through the aperture, the method comprises the steps of: dividing the mask into a plurality of partial areas, and forming a plurality of partial masks which have apertures with patterns identical with the plurality of partial areas, respectively; and manufacturing the mask by exposing the patterns of the plurality of partial masks on corresponding positions of a mask substrate in an electron beam proximity exposure method.

Abstract: In an electron beam proximity exposure apparatus comprising an electron beam source, which emits a collimated electron beam, a mask substrate on which a plurality of masks with apertures are formed, a mask moving mechanism, which moves the mask substrate, and a stage, which holds and moves an object, the mask moving mechanism moves the mask substrate so that one of the plurality of masks is arranged on a path of the electron beam in proximity to a surface of the object, and a pattern corresponding to the aperture of the one of the plurality of masks is exposed on the surface of the object with the electron beam having passed through the aperture. Thus, the frequency of taking the mask out of the apparatus to exchange the mask is reduced, so that the throughput of the apparatus is improved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an object mask which is used in an electron beam proximity exposure apparatus comprising an electron beam source which emits a collimated electron beam, the object mask having an aperture which is arranged on a path of the electron beam, and a stage which holds and moves an object, wherein the object mask is arranged in proximity to a surface of the object and a pattern corresponding to the aperture of the object mask is exposed on the surface of the object with the electron beam having passed through the aperture, the method comprising the steps of: manufacturing a master mask having an aperture of a pattern identical with the object mask; and manufacturing a child mask by exposing an aperture pattern identical with the master mask by using the master mask in an electron beam proximity exposure method, wherein the child mask is used as the object mask. Thus, a manufacturing method of the masks for the electron beam proximity exposure at reduced costs is accomplished.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an integrated electronic device wherein the integrated electronic device to be tested is placed on a sample table. A predetermined position of the integrated electronic device is irradiated with the primary charged beam. A substrate current flowing through a substrate of the integrated electronic device is measured upon radiation of the primary charged beam, and then a potential of the predetermined position irradiated with the primary charged beam is nondestructively measured in accordance with secondary electrons emitted from the predetermined position. A function of the integrated electronic device is evaluated in accordance with the substrate current and the predetermined position potential. The function to be evaluated includes leakage characteristics and a capacitance.

Abstract: In a charged particle beam generating apparatus, the emitter is so arranged that its distal end is disposed at a level below a peak of a distribution of a magnetic flux density. An inner diameter of a lower portion of a pole piece is smaller than an inner diameter of an upper portion of the pole piece. The peak of the magnetic flux density is disposed close to the lower end of the pole piece, and at the same time the magnetic field is prevented from extending downwardly beyond the lower end of the pole piece.

Abstract: A charged beam radiation apparatus includes an auxiliary charged beam emitting mechanism, a main charged beam emitting mechanism, a secondary electron detector, and a computer as a controller. The auxiliary charged beam emitting mechanism emits an auxiliary charged beam of a given acceleration voltage onto a predetermined portion of an electronic device to be measured. The main charged beam emitting mechanism emits a main charged beam of an acceleration voltage lower than that of the auxiliary charged beam onto the predetermined portion and the vicinity of the predetermined portion. The secondary electron detector detects secondary electrons generated from a portion irradiated by the main charged beam. The controller measures a change in a secondary electron signal from the secondary electron detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an integrated electronic device wherein the integrated electronic device to be tested is placed on a sample table. A predetermined position of the integrated electronic device is irradiated with the primary charged beam. A substrate current flowing through a substrate of the integrated electronic device is measured upon radiation of the primary charged beam, and then a potential of the predetermined position irradiated with the primary charged beam is nondestructively measured in accordance with secondary electrons emitted from the predetermined position. A function of the integrated electronic device is evaluated in accordance with the substrate current and the predetermined position potential. The function to be evaluated include leakage characteristics and a capacitance.

Abstract: In a characteristic test apparatus for an electronic device, a number of voltage supply beams are radiated onto predetermined irradiation positions of the electronic device placed on a sample table. In addition, a potential measuring beam is radiated onto a number of irradiation positions including the predetermined irradiation positions of the voltage supply beams. A secondary electron signal based on the potential measuring beam is detected to measure a potential. When the irradiation position of the potential measuring beam coincides with that of the voltage supply beam, the voltage supply beam is controlled to adjust a potential at the irradiation position to a set value by controlling, e.g., an acceleration power source for the voltage supply beam. When the irradiation position of the potential measuring beam is different from that of the voltage supply beam, a potential at this position is measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of deflection calibration for a charged particle beam exposure apparatus having an electromagnetic deflector and an electrostatic deflector both for deflecting a charged particle beam and a movable stage structure. The electromagnetic deflector is previously subjected to a calibration operation known per se. With a fiducial mark positioned in a predetermined location, the beam is deflected by the calibrated electromagnetic deflector instead of moving the stage structure, the beam is then deflected by the electrostatic deflector to detect the location of the fiducial mark, and deflection data are measured of the electrostatic deflection for the detection of the location of the fiducial mark. According to the present invention the calibration is performed in a short time without causing degradation of the precision of, e.g., lithography due to heat generated by movement of the stage structure.