Patent ID: 6583413
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G01N,G01R,H01J

Abstract:
A circuit pattern inspecting instrument comprising:a cathode for emitting an electron beam; a stage for mounting a sample thereon; an electron-optical system for focusing the electron beam; a deflector for scanning the electron beam on the sample; a detector for detecting secondary charged particles from the sample irradiated by the electron beam; and a mode setting unit for switching between a first mode and a second mode; wherein in the first mode, a current of the electron beam is set to a first value and the electron beam is scanned at a first speed; wherein in the second mode, the current of the electron beam is set to a second value smaller than the first value and the electron beam is scanned at a second speed lower than the first speed; and wherein the circuit pattern inspecting instrument is configured so that first the sample is observed in the first mode, then a particular position on the sample is selected based on image data produced by an output of the detector in the first mode, and then the particular position on the sample is observed in the second mode.