Patent ID: 7947951
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A multi-beam charged particle instrument comprising: an electron beam source for injecting an electron beam into a first beam separator; a plurality of primary ion beam sources, wherein each source is for injecting a primary ion beam into a second beam separator; a first beam separator to receive said injected electron beam; a first post-deflector mounted adjacent to said first beam separator; a second beam separator to receive each of said plurality of primary ion beams; a second post-deflector mounted adjacent to said second beam separator a transfer lens between said first and second beam separators; an aperture mounted below said first beam separator; a tiltably mounted objective lens below said aperture; a material target mounted within said objective lens and tiltable therewith to maintain a position with respect to said ion beams; wherein said second beam separator, said transfer lens, said first beam separator, said aperture and said objective lens are mounted, in sequential order, centrally co-linearly with an optic axis; and wherein said first beam separator can deflect said electron beam and direct said electron beam along said optic axis towards said objective lens; and wherein said second beam separator can deflect each of said primary ion beams and direct each of said primary ion beams along said optic axis towards said objective lens, wherein said electron beam passes through said aperture and through said objective lens and, independently of the presence of said ion beams, is focused thereby on said material target; and wherein each of said primary ion beams passes through said first beam separator, said transfer lens, said aperture and said objective lens and, independently of the presence of said electron beam, is focused thereby on said material target.