Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method for inspecting an object that comprises multiple regions of interest, the method comprising:determining a first spatial relationship between at least two regions of interest positioned along a first axis; andpositioning the object under multiple beams of a beam array having a beam array axis, such that at least two beams of the beam array irradiate substantially simultaneously the at least two regions of interest, wherein said positioning step comprises orienting the first axis in an angular relation to the beam array axis, the angular relation selected at least in response to the first spatial relationship wherein the beams are charged particle beams. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the stage of positioning comprises rotating the object in relation to the array of beams. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the stage of positioning comprises rotating the array of beams in relation to the object. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein an orientation angle between the first axis and the beam array axis is responsive to a ratio of beam array spacing and between a region of interest spacing. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the stage of determining comprises image processing. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the aggregate area of the multiple regions of interest is relatively small in relation to the size of a surface of the object. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the object is a wafer or a reticle. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the array of beams comprises a grid of beams. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the stage of positioning comprises orienting the object in relation to the beam array axis prior to inserting the object into an inspection system that comprises an array of beams generator. 10. An inspection system, comprising:a beam array generator adapted to generate an array of beams having a beam array axis; anda processor adapted to determine a first spatial relationship between at least two regions of interest positioned along a first axis of an object; andat least one mechanism adapted to position the object under the array of beams and to orient the first axis in angular relation to the beam array axis such that at least two beams in the array of beams irradiate substantially simultaneously at least two regions of interest of the object wherein the beams are charged particle beams. 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one mechanism is adapted to rotate the object in relation to the array of beams. 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one mechanism is adapted to rotate the array of beams in relation to the object. 13. The system of claim 10 wherein an orientation angle between the first axis and the beam array axis is responsive to a ratio of beam array spacing and between a region of interest spacing. 14. The system of claim 10 adapted to determine by image processing the first spatial relationship between the at least two regions of interest positioned along the first axis. 15. The system of claim 10 wherein the aggregate area of the multiple regions of interest is relatively small in relation to the size of a surface of the object. 16. The system of claim 10 wherein the object is a wafer or a reticle. 17. The system of claim 10 wherein the array of beams comprises a grid of beams. 18. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one mechanism is adapted to orient the object in relation to the beam array axis prior to inserting the object into the inspection system.