Abstract: The present disclosure describes a detector used in critical dimension scanning electron microscopes (CD-SEM) and review SEM systems. In one embodiment, the detector includes a semiconductor structure having a p-n junction and a hole through which a scanning beam is passed to a target. The detector also includes a top electrode for the p-n junction (e.g., anode or cathode) that provides an active area for detecting electrons or electromagnetic radiation (e.g., backscattering from the target). The top electrode has a doped layer and can also have a buried portion beneath the doped layer to reduce a series resistance of the top electrode without changing the active area. In another embodiment, an isolation structure can be formed in the semiconductor structure near sidewalls of the hole to electrically isolate the active area from the sidewalls. A method for forming the buried portion of the top electrode is also described.

Abstract: A detector may be provided for a charged particle apparatus comprising: a sensing element including a diode; and a circuit configured to detect an electron event caused by an electron impacting the sensing element, wherein the circuit comprises a voltage monitoring device and a reset device, wherein the reset device is configured to regularly reset the diode by setting a voltage across the diode to a predetermined value, and wherein the voltage monitoring device is connected to the diode to monitor a voltage across the diode in between resets.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a detector used in critical dimension scanning electron microscopes (CD-SEM) and review SEM systems. In one embodiment, the detector includes a semiconductor structure having a p-n junction and a hole through which a scanning beam is passed to a target. The detector also includes a top electrode for the p-n junction (e.g., anode or cathode) that provides an active area for detecting electrons or electromagnetic radiation (e.g., backscattering from the target). The top electrode has a doped layer and can also have a buried portion beneath the doped layer to reduce a series resistance of the top electrode without changing the active area. In another embodiment, an isolation structure can be formed in the semiconductor structure near sidewalls of the hole to electrically isolate the active area from the sidewalls. A method for forming the buried portion of the top electrode is also described.

Abstract: A detector substrate (or detector array) for use in a charged particle multi-beam assessment tool to detect charged particles from a sample. The detector substrate defines an array of apertures for beam paths of respective charged particle beams of a multi-beam. The detector substrate includes a sensor unit array. A sensor unit of the sensor unit array is adjacent to a corresponding aperture of the aperture array. The sensor unit is configured to capture charged particles from the sample. The detector array may include an amplification circuit associated with each sensor unit in the sensor unit array and proximate to the corresponding aperture in the aperture array. The amplification circuit may include a Trans Impedance Amplifier and/or an analogue to digital converter.

Abstract: A method of determining a number of charged particles incident on a detector within a period may include generating a first signal that is based on a charged particle impacting a sensing element of the detector, performing processing using the first signal based on a predetermined characteristic of a charged particle arrival event on the detector, and outputting a count signal based on the processing.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a barrier member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space, and a heater.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a barrier member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space, and a heater.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a barrier member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space, and a heater.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a detector used in critical dimension scanning electron microscopes (CD-SEM) and review SEM systems. In one embodiment, the detector includes a semiconductor structure having a p-n junction and a hole through which a scanning beam is passed to a target. The detector also includes a top electrode for the p-n junction (e.g., anode or cathode) that provides an active area for detecting electrons or electromagnetic radiation (e.g., backscattering from the target). The top electrode has a doped layer and can also have a buried portion beneath the doped layer to reduce a series resistance of the top electrode without changing the active area. In another embodiment, an isolation structure can be formed in the semiconductor structure near sidewalls of the hole to electrically isolate the active area from the sidewalls. A method for forming the buried portion of the top electrode is also described.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring a position and/or displacement of an object (40), the measurement system comprising a sensor (20) and a target (45), the sensor comprising an electromagnet (21); a driving circuit (24) configured to drive the electromagnet to generate an alternating magnetic field (AMF); a measuring circuit (25) configured to measure an electrical impedance parameter of the electromagnet; the target being located on a surface (41) of the object that faces the sensor, wherein the target comprises a graphene layer (46), and wherein, in use, when the alternating magnetic field interacts with the target, the alternating magnetic field changes (RMF), altering the electrical impedance parameter of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A measurement substrate for measuring a condition pertaining in an apparatus for processing production substrates during operation thereof, the measurement substrate including: a body having dimensions compatible with the apparatus; a plurality of sensor modules embedded in the body, each sensor module having: a sensor configured generate an analog measurement signal, an analog to digital converter to generate digital measurement information from the analog measurement signal, and a module controller configured to output the digital measurement information; and a central control module configured to receive the digital measurement information from each of the module controllers and to communicate the digital measurement information to an external device.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a barrier member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space, and a heater.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a substrate temperature control system configured to provide a control signal to control a substrate temperature conditioning system based on a determined temperature; and a parameter control system configured to adjust a lithographic apparatus parameter, that is other than, or in addition to, the control signal, based on temperature information of the substrate and/or substrate table or on a measure derived from the temperature information.

Abstract: A measurement substrate for measuring a condition pertaining in an apparatus for processing production substrates during operation thereof, the measurement substrate including: a body having dimensions compatible with the apparatus; a plurality of sensor modules embedded in the body, each sensor module having: a sensor configured generate an analog measurement signal, an analog to digital converter to generate digital measurement information from the analog measurement signal, and a module controller configured to output the digital measurement information; and a central control module configured to receive the digital measurement information from each of the module controllers and to communicate the digital measurement information to an external device.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring a position and/or displacement of an object (40), the measurement system comprising a sensor (20) and a target (45), the sensor comprising an electromagnet (21); a driving circuit (24) configured to drive the electromagnet to generate an alternating magnetic field (AMF); a measuring circuit (25) configured to measure an electrical impedance parameter of the electromagnet; the target being located on a surface (41) of the object that faces the sensor, wherein the target comprises a graphene layer (46), and wherein, in use, when the alternating magnetic field interacts with the target, the alternating magnetic field changes (RMF), altering the electrical impedance parameter of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A backside illuminated sensor comprising a supporting substrate, a semiconductor layer which comprises a photodiode comprising a region of n-doped semiconductor provided at a first surface of the semiconductor layer, and a region of p-doped semiconductor, wherein a depletion region is formed between the region of n-doped semiconductor and the region of p-doped semiconductor, and a layer of p-doping protective material provided on a second surface of the semiconductor layer, wherein the first surface of the semiconductor layer is fixed to a surface of the supporting substrate.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a barrier member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space, and a heater.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a barrier member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space, and a heater.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a barrier member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space, and a heater.

Abstract: A backside illuminated sensor comprising a supporting substrate, a semiconductor layer which comprises a photodiode comprising a region of n-doped semiconductor provided at a first surface of the semiconductor layer, and a region of p-doped semiconductor, wherein a depletion region is formed between the region of n-doped semiconductor and the region of p-doped semiconductor, and a layer of p-doping protective material provided on a second surface of the semiconductor layer, wherein the first surface of the semiconductor layer is fixed to a surface of the supporting substrate.