Patent ID: 7633303
Filing Date: 2009-12-15
Classification: G01R,H01J

Abstract:
1. An electron beam application apparatus including an electron optical system performing irradiation of a primary electron beam with predetermined irradiation condition to a sample, detecting a secondary charged particle generated by the irradiation of the primary electron beam and outputting a detection signal, and performing one of measurement and inspection of the sample using the detection signal, comprising: a sample holder having a first part, second part, and third part to contact and hold a sample; a first power source and first ammeter between the first part and the second part of the sample holder, a second power source and a second ammeter between the second part and the third part of the sample holders and a third voltage source and a third ammeter between the third part and the first part of the sample holders, wherein each of the ammeters measures current with respect to predetermined voltages supplied by the power sources and, and a control computer calculating contact resistance values for each of said first, second and third parts of the sample holder from the measured currents of the first, second and third ammeters and the predetermined voltages applied by said first, second and third power sources, respectively, and, wherein the control computer controls an irradiation condition of the electron optical system based on the calculated contact resistance values.