Patent Number: 047016230
Section: abstract

An apparatus, such as an electron beam column (1), with high-speed deflection capability comprises a gun (2) which directs a beam (3) of charged particles by several magnetic lenses (9,11,13a,13b) towards a target (4). Magnetic deflection coils (12a,12b) produce a variable magnetic field for controllably deflecting the beam. The beam is surrounded by an electrically conductive surface (16a,16b,22) which in the vicinity of the deflection coils is constituted by a tube (22) comprising a single wire of, for example, nichrome preferably coated by an oxide film formed naturally and comprising a close-wound helix. This tube construction has a longitudinal resistance which significantly impedes the flow of undesirable eddy currents therein. On the other hand the tube can readily conduct along a helical path so that charge accumulation on the tube walls is avoided.