Patent ID: 6677592
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: G21K,H01J

Abstract:
An electron beam device for directing at least one beam of energetic electrons onto a substrate for forming an integrated circuit pattern on the substrate, said electron beam device comprising:a source of energetic electrons for directing at least one beam of electrons along an axis; beam limiting means disposed along said axis adjacent said source of energetic electrons for intercepting a peripheral portion of said at least one electron beam and reducing the cross section of the electron beam; focusing means disposed along said axis intermediate said beam limiting means and the substrate for forming a beam electrostatic focus region in the electron beam device for focusing said at least one electron beam to a spot on the substrate; and electrostatic deflection means disposed along said axis intermediate said beam limiting means and the substrate and generally co-located with said focusing means for forming a beam electrostatic deflection region for deflecting said at least one electron beam over the substrate in forming a circuit pattern on the substrate, wherein said beam electrostatic focus region and said beam electrostatic deflection region overlap and are coincident along said axis, and wherein said electrostatic deflection means comprises plural deflection stages each disposed in a spaced manner along said axis, wherein each of said deflection stages is spaced from said axis a first radial distance and extends along said axis a second axial distance, wherein the electron beam deflection sensitivity of each of said deflection stages increases as the first radial distance decreases and as the second axial distance increases.