Patent ID: 6570154
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A method of generating an image of a specimen with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) having a source unit for directing an electron beam substantially towards a portion of the specimen, a detector for detecting particles that are emitted from the specimen, and an image generator for generating the image of the specimen from the emitted particles, the image features being controlled by conditions under which the image is generated, comprising:scanning the specimen under a first set of conditions to generate a first image during a first image phase; scanning the specimen under a second set of conditions during a setup phase that is performed after the first image phase, the second set of conditions being selected to reduce charge build up on the specimen; and scanning the specimen under the first set of conditions to generate a second image during a second image phase that is performed after the setup phase, wherein the features of the second image are controlled by the first and second sets of conditions, wherein the first set of conditions include at least two conditions selected from a group consisting of a first landing energy, a first beam current density, and a first beam scan area and the second set of conditions include at least two selected from a group consisting of a second landing energy that differs from the first landing energy, a second beam current density that differs from the first beam current density, and a second scan area that has a larger size than the first scan area.