Abstract: A method of raster scanning a surface of an object using a particle beam comprises determining a basic set of raster points within a surface; determining a surface portion of the surface of the object, wherein the surface portion is to be raster scanned; ordering a set of raster points of the basic set located within the surface portion; and scanning of the surface portion by directing the particle beam onto the raster points of the ordered set in an order corresponding to an order of the raster points in the ordered set from the outside to the inside, i.e. starting from the boundary of the surface portion towards its center, or in the reverse order, i.e. from the inside to the outside.

Abstract: Processes may be performed with a plurality of FIB-SEM systems. A first process group includes recording an image with the electron beam column, depositing material with supply of a process gas, and performing ion beam etching. A second process group includes performing a sample exchange, exchanging a reservoir of a gas source for the process gas, and verifying an image that was recorded with the electron beam column. The processes of the second group are prioritized. The FIB-SEM systems are actuated to work through processes contained in process lists. If in a plurality of FIB-SEM systems processes of the second group are to be performed simultaneously, an instruction based on the prioritization is output to the user.

Abstract: Processes may be performed with a plurality of FIB-SEM systems. A first process group includes recording an image with the electron beam column, depositing material with supply of a process gas, and performing ion beam etching. A second process group includes performing a sample exchange, exchanging a reservoir of a gas source for the process gas, and verifying an image that was recorded with the electron beam column. The processes of the second group are prioritized. The FIB-SEM systems are actuated to work through processes contained in process lists. If in a plurality of FIB-SEM systems processes of the second group are to be performed simultaneously, an instruction based on the prioritization is output to the user.

Abstract: A method of raster scanning a surface of an object using a particle beam comprises determining a basic set of raster points within a surface; determining a surface portion of the surface of the object, wherein the surface portion is to be raster scanned; ordering a set of raster points of the basic set located within the surface portion; and scanning of the surface portion by directing the particle beam onto the raster points of the ordered set in an order corresponding to an order of the raster points in the ordered set from the outside to the inside, i.e. starting from the boundary of the surface portion towards its center, or in the reverse order, i.e. from the inside to the outside.

Abstract: A method of raster scanning a surface of an object using a particle beam comprises determining a basic set of raster points within a surface; determining a surface portion of the surface of the object, wherein the surface portion is to be raster scanned; ordering a set of raster points of the basic set located within the surface portion; and scanning of the surface portion by directing the particle beam onto the raster points of the ordered set in an order corresponding to an order of the raster points in the ordered set from the outside to the inside, i.e. starting from the boundary of the surface portion towards its center, or in the reverse order, i.e. from the inside to the outside.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing and/or observing an object using at least one particle beam that is scanned over the object. A scan region on the object is determined, the scan region having scan lines, and the particle beam is moved in a first scanning direction along one of the scan lines. The first scanning direction is changed to a second scanning direction at a change-of-direction time. Changing from the first scanning direction to the second scanning direction comprises setting of a point of rotation in that scan line of the scan region in which the particle beam is situated at the change-of-direction time, with an axis of rotation extending through the point of rotation. The first scanning direction is changed into the second scanning direction by rotating the scan region about the axis of rotation, with the point of rotation being selected dependent on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: The application relates to a method for analyzing, in particular for imaging, and/or processing of an object as well as a particle beam device for carrying out this method. In particular, the particle beam device of this application is an electron beam device and/or an ion beam device.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing and/or observing an object using at least one particle beam that is scanned over the object. A scan region on the object is determined, the scan region having scan lines, and the particle beam is moved in a first scanning direction along one of the scan lines. The first scanning direction is changed to a second scanning direction at a change-of-direction time. Changing from the first scanning direction to the second scanning direction comprises setting of a point of rotation in that scan line of the scan region in which the particle beam is situated at the change-of-direction time, with an axis of rotation extending through the point of rotation. The first scanning direction is changed into the second scanning direction by rotating the scan region about the axis of rotation, with the point of rotation being selected dependent on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: The application relates to a method for analyzing, in particular for imaging, and/or processing of an object as well as a particle beam device for carrying out this method. In particular, the particle beam device of this application is an electron beam device and/or an ion beam device.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing and/or observing an object using at least one particle beam that is scanned over the object. A scan region on the object is determined, the scan region having scan lines, and the particle beam is moved in a first scanning direction along one of the scan lines. The first scanning direction is changed to a second scanning direction at a change-of-direction time. Changing from the first scanning direction to the second scanning direction comprises setting of a point of rotation in that scan line of the scan region in which the particle beam is situated at the change-of-direction time, with an axis of rotation extending through the point of rotation. The first scanning direction is changed into the second scanning direction by rotating the scan region about the axis of rotation, with the point of rotation being selected dependent on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A particle beam device and a sample receptacle apparatus, which has a sample holder, are disclosed. The sample holder is arranged in a movable fashion along at least a first axis and along at least a second axis. Furthermore, the sample holder is arranged in a rotatable fashion about a first axis of rotation and about a second axis of rotation. A first sample holding device is arranged relative to the sample holder in a rotatable fashion about a third axis of rotation, in which the third axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are at least in part arranged laterally offset with respect to one another. Furthermore, a control apparatus is provided, in which the first sample holding device is rotatable about the third axis of rotation into an analysis position and/or treating position using the control apparatus.

Abstract: A method of scanning a surface of an object using a particle beam comprises: determining a surface portion of the surface of the object, wherein the surface portion is to be scanned; determining initial positions of a set of raster points within the surface portion; changing the positions of at least some raster points of the set of raster points; and then scanning the surface portion by directing the particle beam to the positions of the raster points.

Abstract: A method of operating a particle beam system includes digitally controlling first and second digitally controlled modules of the particle beam system, and sending digital command data to the first and second digitally controlled modules. The digital command data include at least a first command for the first digitally controlled module and at least a second command for the second digitally controlled module. The digital command data is generated based on information representing: a) a time when the first command is to be executed by the first digitally controlled module; and b) a time when the second command is to be executed by the second digitally controlled module.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing and/or observing an object using at least one particle beam that is scanned over the object. A scan region on the object is determined, the scan region having scan lines, and the particle beam is moved in a first scanning direction along one of the scan lines. The first scanning direction is changed to a second scanning direction at a change-of-direction time. Changing from the first scanning direction to the second scanning direction comprises setting of a point of rotation in that scan line of the scan region in which the particle beam is situated at the change-of-direction time, with an axis of rotation extending through the point of rotation. The first scanning direction is changed into the second scanning direction by rotating the scan region about the axis of rotation, with the point of rotation being selected dependent on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A particle beam system includes a charged particle beam source, a beam blanking module connectable to a data network, a focusing lens, a first beam deflection module connectable to the data network, a calculation module configured to determine a deflection time; and an encoding module.

Abstract: An ion beam system comprises a voltage supply system 7 and at least one beam deflector 39 having at least one first deflection electrode 51a, 51b, 51c and plural second deflection electrodes 52a, 52b, 52c, wherein the voltage supply system is configured to supply different adjustable deflection voltages to the plural second deflection electrodes such that electric deflection fields between the plural second deflection electrodes and the opposite at least one first deflection electrode have a common orientation. The system has a high kinetic energy mode in which a distribution of the electric deflection field has a greater width, a low kinetic energy mode in which a distribution of the electric deflection field has a smaller width.

Abstract: A method of processing of an object comprises scanning a particle beam across a surface of the object and detecting electrons emerging from the object due to the scanning; determining a height difference between the surface of the object and a predetermined surface for each of plural of locations on the surface of the object based on the detected electrons; determining a processing intensity for each of the plural locations on the surface of the object based on the determined height differences; and directing a particle beam to the plural locations based on the determined processing intensities, in order to remove material from or deposit material on the object at the plural locations.

Abstract: A particle beam system includes a charged particle beam source, a beam blanking module connectable to a data network, a focusing lens, a first beam deflection module connectable to the data network, a calculation module configured to determine a deflection time; and an encoding module.

Abstract: An ion beam system comprises a voltage supply system 7 and at least one beam deflector 39 having at least one first deflection electrode 51a, 51b, 51c and plural second deflection electrodes 52a, 52b, 52c, wherein the voltage supply system is configured to supply different adjustable deflection voltages to the plural second deflection electrodes such that electric deflection fields between the plural second deflection electrodes and the opposite at least one first deflection electrode have a common orientation. The system has a high kinetic energy mode in which a distribution of the electric deflection field has a greater width, a low kinetic energy mode in which a distribution of the electric deflection field has a smaller width.

Abstract: A particle beam system includes a particle beam source for generating a particle beam, a high voltage source, a beam blanker system with deflection plates 56, 57, and a control circuit. The control circuit provides a first current path 67 between the two deflection plates, wherein a switch 70, a node 72 connected to the high voltage source and a switch 76 are arranged in this order in the first current path starting from the deflection plate 56. The control circuit provides a second current path 85 between the deflection plate 56 and the deflection plate 57, wherein in the second current path, starting from the deflection plate 56, a series connection 88 comprising a voltage source 91 a switch 90, a node 86 connected to the high voltage source and a series connection 92 comprising a voltage source 95 and a switch 94 are arranged in this order.