Patent ID: 6653645
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: G21K,H01J

Abstract:
An electron beam device for directing a beam of energetic electrons onto a substrate for forming an integrated circuit pattern on the substrate, said electron beam device comprising:a source of energetic electrons for directing a beam of electrons along an axis; multi-stage beam limiting means disposed in a spaced manner along said axis adjacent said source of energetic electrons for intercepting a peripheral portion of the electron beam and reducing the cross section of the electron beam, wherein each stage of said beam limiting means incrementally reduces the cross section of the electron beam in proceeding toward the substrate; focusing means disposed along said axis intermediate said beam limiting means and the substrate for forming a beam electrostatic focus region in the electron beam device for focusing the electron beam to a spot on the substrate; and multi-stage electrostatic deflection means disposed in a spaced manner along said axis intermediate said beam limiting means and the substrate and generally co-located with said focusing means for forming a beam electrostatic deflection region for deflecting the electron beam over the substrate in forming a circuit pattern on the substrate, wherein said beam electrostatic focus region and said beam electrostatic deflection region overlap and are coincident along said axis, and wherein each stage of said electrostatic deflection means has a different incremental deflection sensitivity for exerting increasing incremental deflection sensitivity on the electron beam in proceeding toward the substrate.