Patent ID: 6727911
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A method of observing a specimen image using a scanning charged-particle beam instrument having a specimen stage capable of mechanical X- and Y-motions and rotation, said specimen stage holding a specimen thereon, said specimen being illuminated with a charged-particle beam that is scanned in two dimensions across said specimen, said instrument being designed to display a scanned image according to a signal obtained in response to the illumination of the charged-particle beam, said instrument having scan rotation capabilities for rotating the direction of the two-dimensional scan by controlling a scanning signal for said charged-particle beam, said instrument having image shift capabilities for shifting a range in which said charged-particle beam is scanned, said method comprising the steps of:displaying a first scanned image at a first X-Y observational position on the specimen said first scanned image having a first rotational orientation; storing specimen stage X- and Y-direction and rotation information at said first observational position; storing scan shift and rotation information of said first scanned image at said first observational position; displaying a second scanned image at a second observational position on the specimen, said second scanned image having a second rotational orientation; storing specimen stage X- and Y-direction and rotation information at said second observational position; storing scan shift and rotation information of said second scanned image at said second observational position; instructing return from said second to said first observational position; and automatically returning to said first observational position and displaying a scanned image which has said first rotational orientation according to the stored information about the angle of rotation of the image, the amount of shift, and specimen stage X- and Y-direction and rotation information.