Patents by Inventor Yoshiaki Kohama

Yoshiaki Kohama has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7439502
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide an improved electron beam apparatus with improvements in throughput, accuracy, etc. One of the characterizing features of the electron beam apparatus of the present invention is that it has a plurality of optical systems, each of which comprises a primary electron optical system for scanning and irradiating a sample with a plurality of primary electron beams; a detector device for detecting a plurality of secondary beams emitted by irradiating the sample with the primary electron beams; and a secondary electron optical system for guiding the secondary electron beams from the sample to the detector device; all configured so that the plurality of optical systems scan different regions of the sample with their primary electron beams, and detect the respective secondary electron beams emitted from each of the respective regions. This is what makes higher throughput possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Tohru Satake, Nobuharu Noji, Hirosi Sobukawa, Tsutomu Karimata, Shoji Yoshikawa, Toshifumi Kimba, Shin Oowada, Mutsumi Saito, Muneki Hamashima, Yoshiaki Kohama, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Publication number: 20080173815
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide an improved electron beam apparatus with improvements in throughput, accuracy, etc. One of the characterizing features of the electron beam apparatus of the present invention is that it has a plurality of optical systems, each of which comprises a primary electron optical system for scanning and irradiating a sample with a plurality of primary electron beams; a detector device for detecting a plurality of secondary beams emitted by irradiating the sample with the primary electron beams; and a secondary electron optical system for guiding the secondary electron beams from the sample to the detector device; all configured so that the plurality of optical systems scan different regions of the sample with their primary electron beams, and detect the respective secondary electron beams emitted from each of the respective regions. This is what makes higher throughput possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Tohru Satake, Nobuharu Noji, Hirosi Sobukawa, Tsutomu Karimata, Shoji Yoshikawa, Toshifumi Kimba, Shin Oowada, Mutsumi Saito, Muneki Hamashima, Yoshiaki Kohama, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Publication number: 20070272859
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide an improved electron beam apparatus with improvements in throughput, accuracy, etc.. One of the characterizing features of the electron beam apparatus of the present invention is that it has a plurality of optical systems, each of which comprises a primary electron optical system for scanning and irradiating a sample with a plurality of primary electron beams; a detector device for detecting a plurality of secondary beams emitted by irradiating the sample with the primary electron beams; and a secondary electron optical system for guiding the secondary electron beams from the sample to the detector device; all configured so that the plurality of optical systems scan different regions of the sample with their primary electron beams, and detect the respective secondary electron beams emitted from each of the respective regions. This is what makes higher throughput possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Tohru Satake, Nobuharu Noji, Hirosi Sobukawa, Tsutomu Karimata, Shoji Yoshikawa, Toshifumi Kimba, Shin Oowada, Mutsumi Saito, Muneki Hamashima, Yoshiaki Kohama, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Patent number: 7244932
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide an improved electron beam apparatus with improvements in throughput, accuracy, etc. One of the characterizing features of the electron beam apparatus of the present invention is that it has a plurality of optical systems, each of which comprises a primary electron optical system for scanning and irradiating a sample with a plurality of primary electron beams; a detector device for detecting a plurality of secondary beams emitted by irradiating the sample with the primary electron beams; and a secondary electron optical system for guiding the secondary electron beams from the sample to the detector device; all configured so that the plurality of optical systems scan different regions of the sample with their primary electron beams, and detect the respective secondary electron beams emitted from each of the respective regions. This is what makes higher throughput possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Tohru Satake, Nobuharu Noji, Hirosi Sobukawa, Tsutomu Karimata, Shoji Yoshikawa, Toshifumi Kimba, Shin Oowada, Mutsumi Saito, Muneki Hamashima, Yoshiaki Kohama, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Publication number: 20070034797
    Abstract: A beam source of an inspection apparatus discharges a beam, and a stage system holds a specimen and moves in at least one direction. A primary optical system directs the beam to the specimen, and a secondary optical system guides a secondary beam coming from the specimen. A sensor outputs an electric signal of the specimen image from the secondary beam, an image processor generates image information of the specimen by processing the electric signal output by the sensor, and a host computer generates an inspection timing signal for controlling the sensor to transfer the image information at a preset data transfer rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Publication number: 20060022138
    Abstract: A beam source of an inspection apparatus discharges a beam, and a stage system holds a specimen and moves in at least one direction. A primary optical system directs the beam to the specimen, and a secondary optical system guides a secondary beam coming from the specimen. A sensor outputs an electric signal of the specimen image from the secondary beam, an image processor generates image information of the specimen by processing the electric signal output by the sensor, and a host computer generates an inspection timing signal for controlling the sensor to transfer the image information at a preset data transfer rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Patent number: 6958477
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus prevents a rapid increase of dosage caused by stoppage or deceleration of movement and protects the specimen when the specimen is irradiated with the electron beam while the specimen and the electron beam are being relatively moved. An electron beam source outputs the electron beam. The dosage of election beam irradiated per unit area of the specimen is measured. A storage section stores a predetermined dosage per unit area in memory for the specimen. A detector detects over exposure of the electron beam when the measured dosage per unit area is greater than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section. A controller controls the electron beam source to reduce the dosage per unit area of the electron beam lower than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Patent number: 6953944
    Abstract: A scanning device and method includes a movable stage on which a specimen is positioned, an irradiating device for electron beam irradiation of the specimen, a detection device for generating a picture of the irradiation region by detecting a secondary beam including secondary or reflected electrons from the irradiation region, and imaging electron optical system for imaging the secondary beam on a detection surface. A secondary beam detector including a fluorescent unit arranged on the detection surface to convert the secondary beam into light, one-dimensional line sensors for forming electric charge by photoelectric conversion, an array imaging element for accumulating the electric charge in a predetermined line of the line sensors, and a two-dimensional imaging element which emits electric charge by means of photoelectric conversion. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kohama, Akihiro Goto, Muneki Hamashima, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Publication number: 20040238740
    Abstract: New and improved scanning device and corresponding method that include and involve a movable stage on which a specimen is positioned, irradiation means which irradiates an electron beam onto an irradiation region of the specimen, secondary beam detection means used in generating a picture of the irradiation region by detecting a secondary beam which consists of at least one of secondary electrons or reflected electrons from the irradiation region of the electron beam, an imaging electron optical system which causes imaging of the secondary beam on a detection surface of the secondary beam detection means, and which is arranged between the specimen and the secondary beam detection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kohama, Akihiro Goto, Muneki Hamashima, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Publication number: 20040106862
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus prevents a rapid increase of dosage caused by stoppage or deceleration of movement and protects the specimen when the specimen is irradiated with the electron beam while the specimen and the electron beam are being relatively moved. An electron beam source outputs the electron beam. The dosage of election beam irradiated per unit area of the specimen is measured. A storage section stores a predetermined dosage per unit area in memory for the specimen. A detector detects over exposure of the electron beam when the measured dosage per unit area is greater than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section. A controller controls the electron beam source to reduce the dosage per unit area of the electron beam lower than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Patent number: 6677587
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus prevents a rapid increase of dosage caused by stoppage or deceleration of movement and protects the specimen when the specimen is irradiated with the electron beam while the specimen and the electron beam are being relatively moved. An electron beam source outputs the electron beam. The dosage of electron beam irradiated per unit area of the specimen is measured. A storage section stores a predetermined dosage per unit area in memory for the specimen. A detector detects over exposure of the electron beam when the measured dosage per unit area is greater than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section. A controller controls the electron beam source to reduce the dosage per unit area of the electron beam lower than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Patent number: 6670602
    Abstract: New and improved scanning device and corresponding method that include and involve a movable stage on which a specimen is positioned, irradiation means which irradiates an electron beam onto an irradiation region of the specimen, secondary beam detection means used in generating a picture of the irradiation region by detecting a secondary beam which consists of at least one of secondary electrons or reflected electrons from the irradiation region of the electron beam, an imaging electron optical system which causes imaging of the secondary beam on a detection surface of the secondary beam detection means, and which is arranged between the specimen and the secondary beam detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kohama, Akihiro Goto, Muneki Hamashima, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Publication number: 20030085355
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus prevents a rapid increase of dosage caused by stoppage or deceleration of movement and protects the specimen when the specimen is irradiated with the electron beam while the specimen and the electron beam are being relatively moved. An electron beam source outputs the electron beam. The dosage of electron beam irradiated per unit area of the specimen is measured. A storage section stores a predetermined dosage per unit area in memory for the specimen. A detector detects over exposure of the electron beam when the measured dosage per unit area is greater than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section. A controller controls the electron beam source to reduce the dosage per unit area of the electron beam lower than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Patent number: 6518582
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus prevents a rapid increase of dosage caused by stoppage or deceleration of movement and protects the specimen when the specimen is irradiated with the electron beam while the specimen and the electron beam are being relatively moved. An electron beam source outputs the electron beam. The dosage of electron beam irradiated per unit area of the specimen is measured. A storage section stores a predetermined dosage per unit area in memory for the specimen. A detector detects over exposure of the electron beam when the measured dosage per unit area is greater than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section. A controller controls the electron beam source to reduce the dosage per unit area of the electron beam lower than the dosage per unit area stored in the storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Patent number: 6479819
    Abstract: This invention relates to an object observation apparatus and observation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Muneki Hamashima, Yoichi Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Publication number: 20020158198
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a charged particle beam apparatus which can avoid charge-up without reducing the dose to a sample. For achieving such an object, the charged particle beam apparatus of the present invention is a charged particle beam apparatus comprising irradiating means for irradiating a sample with a charged particle beam, and imaging means for capturing a two-dimensional image of a secondary beam generated from the sample upon irradiation with the charged particle beam; wherein the irradiating means is means for irradiating a partial region within an imaging field of view of the imaging means with the charged particle beam by shaping a cross section of the charged particle beam; the apparatus further comprising moving means for moving the partial region such that the partial region scans the imaging field of view as a whole at least once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kohama, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Publication number: 20020148961
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide an improved electron beam apparatus with improvements in throughput, accuracy, etc. One of the characterizing features of the electron beam apparatus of the present invention is that it has a plurality of optical systems, each of which comprises a primary electron optical system for scanning and irradiating a sample with a plurality of primary electron beams; a detector device for detecting a plurality of secondary beams emitted by irradiating the sample with the primary electron beams; and a secondary electron optical system for guiding the secondary electron beams from the sample to the detector device; all configured so that the plurality of optical systems scan different regions of the sample with their primary electron beams, and detect the respective secondary electron beams emitted from each of the respective regions. This is what makes higher throughput possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Tohru Satake, Nobuharu Noji, Hirosi Sobukawa, Tsutomu Karimata, Shoji Yoshikawa, Toshifumi Kimba, Shin Oowada, Mutsumi Saito, Muneki Hamashima, Yoshiaki Kohama, Yukiharu Okubo
  • Patent number: 6184526
    Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus and a method for observing and inspecting a predetermined area in a surface of a sample by use of an electron beam. The apparatus according to this invention comprises an MCP for multiplying a secondary beam emerging from the surface of the sample. The apparatus and method employ a CCD TDI array in order to increase the lifetime of the MCP, and special scan control is carried out in the observation and inspection operation. In addition, the apparatus according to this invention has various structures for enabling correction for positional deviation of the sample and high-speed processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kohama, Muneki Hamashima, Shigeru Takemoto
  • Patent number: RE40221
    Abstract: This invention relates to an object observation apparatus and observation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Muneki Hamashima, Yoichi Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kohama
  • Patent number: RE41665
    Abstract: This invention relates to an object observation apparatus and observation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Muneki Hamashima, Yoichi Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kohama