Patent ID: 7592604
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A charged particle beam apparatus which illuminates a specimen with a charged particle beam focused thereon via a charged particle optical system arranged in a column, wherein: between the charged particle optical system and the specimen, there is provided a plate-like member having an electrically conductive portion and an opening to transmit the charged particle beam; and for the plate-like member to function as a charge preventive plate, the plate-like member is configured in such a manner that the plate-like member is enough large to cover at least a part of the charged particle optical system when viewed from the charged particle beam irradiation spot on the specimen, the plate-like member has a gas inflow path formed therein, and the gas inflow path has gas injection outlets formed to inject gas toward the charged particle beam irradiation spot on the specimen.