Patent ID: 7566872
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A scanning electron microscope for acquiring an observation image of a specimen by radiating the primary electron beam on the specimen and using the electrons released secondarily, comprising: an ultraviolet light source for irradiating the specimen with the vacuum ultraviolet light having the wavelength of not more than 172 nm in the atmosphere; a radiation chamber for hermetically sealing the specimen to make it possible to radiate the vacuum ultraviolet light on the specimen; and a specimen holder for holding the specimen in the radiation chamber and adapted to adjust the distance between the vacuum ultraviolet light source and the specimen to set to one of a first distance at which at least vacuum ultraviolet light reaches the specimen and a second distance larger than said first distance, at which the vacuum ultraviolet light is attenuated in the atmosphere; wherein said specimen holder selects one of said first distance and said second distance in accordance with whether or not a pattern is formed on the specimen.