Patent ID: 8093558
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A method for forming an image of a sample with a particle-optical apparatus, the method comprising: providing a particle-optical apparatus comprising a particle-optical column, said column equipped to produce a beam of particles along a particle-optical axis, providing an environmental cell showing an aperture facing the column, the aperture surrounding the particle-optical axis, said environmental cell equipped to be exposed to vacuum, said environmental cell showing an inner volume wherein a sample may be placed, said environmental cell equipped to withstand a pressure difference over the aperture, the material of the environmental cell substantially impervious to fluids, providing a sample in said environmental cell, providing a detector for the detection of secondary radiation emanating from the sample as a result of the beam of particles impinging on the sample, evacuating the area between the aperture and the particle-optical column, directing the beam of particles through the aperture to the sample, and detecting secondary radiation other than visible light emanating from the sample in response to the irradiation of the sample with the beam of particles, in which at least part of the material of the environmental cell is transparent to the secondary radiation other than visible light, and the detector is positioned outside the environmental cell, the detector arranged to detect the secondary radiation other than visible light passing through the part of the environmental cell transparent to the secondary radiation, and a voltage is applied to the material of the environmental cell that is transparent to the secondary radiation to increase transmission of the secondary radiation through the material.