Patent ID: 6677581
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A high-energy electron diffraction apparatus of a reflection type that is capable of monitoring and identifying varying thin film structures of 100 &mgr;mÃ—100 &mgr;m or less in size being synthesized in parallel with one another on a specimen in a high pressure of several tens Pa, in which a specimen is held in a vacuum chamber capable of evacuation to a high vacuum and is irradiated with a high-energy beam of electrons to form an image of reflected beam diffraction, the apparatus comprising:a first casing adapted to accommodate therein an electron beam source for producing an electron beam, the first casing having a first aperture; and a second casing coupled to said first casing via said first aperture and having an end portion formed with a second aperture coaxial with said first aperture, wherein said first and second casings form a differential evacuation structure with said first casing held lower in pressure than said second casing, and wherein said electron beam source accommodated in said first casing comprises: a field emission type electron emitter; an astigmatic correction means for correcting a projected image of said electron beam incident on said specimen; and a scan deflection means for adjustably positioning said electron beam relative to an area on said specimen that is irradiated therewith; and a movable screen for projecting thereon diffracted electron beams from said specimen.