Patent ID: 8969828
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A scanning electron microscope in which a sample-moving stage for moving a sample includes an x-table for moving the sample in an x-direction right-angled to an electron beam, a y-table for moving the sample in a y-direction right-angled to the x-direction as well as to the electron beam, the y-table being mounted above the x-table, a z-table configured to move in a same z-direction as the direction in which the electron beam travels, a rotation table for rotating the sample in a plane parallel to an x-y plane, and a tilting table for imparting a tilting action to the sample, the x-table being mounted on the tilting table, the x-table and the y-table being guided by respective rolling friction elements, and moved by respective stepping motors disposed in a sample chamber, each of the motors being connected to a ball screw via a coupling, the electron beam being scanned on the sample surface, thereby allowing a detector to detect a signal originating from the sample, and the signal detected by the detector being used to display an image of the sample, wherein between the tilting table and the x-table as well as between the x-table and the y-table, a sliding friction element is disposed at the same side as the side at which the ball screw is located with respect to the sample, and wherein each sliding friction element is fixed at one end of its slider base to one of two tables or bases configured to move in relative form, with a leaf spring interposed at one end thereof between the sliding friction element and the table or the base, the sliding friction element being inclusive of, in addition to the friction material, which is bonded onto one surface of the other end of the leaf spring in such a form as to face the mating plate, which is connected to the other table or base, a spring locking washer plate bonded onto the other surface, and wherein between the slider base and the spring locking washer plate, at least one coil spring is placed to press the friction material against the mating plate.