Abstract:
A portion of an ion optical column is formed using a dielectric bushing to support metallic optical elements, electrically isolate them, and form a vacuum chamber around those elements. In particular, the dielectric bushing is suitable for forming an ion gun vacuum chamber in which are contained an emitter assembly and other optical elements, the gun vacuum chamber preferably being vacuum sealable separately from the system vacuum chamber. A compact ion column includes, within the system vacuum chamber, an automated variable aperture drive mechanism and a gun chamber vacuum isolation valve activation mechanism. Including these mechanisms within the vacuum chamber facilitates the design of multi-beam systems by eliminating mechanical feedthroughs that would interfere with the placement of other components in the vacuum chamber.

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60/241,536, which was filed on Oct. 18, 2000 and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to FIB (Focused Ion Beam) systems and in particular to FIB optical columns. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     FIB systems, while once used primarily by highly skilled technicians in laboratories, are being used more and more in the high volume manufacturing of products such as semiconductors and disk drives. Most focused ion beam systems are still designed as multipurpose machines that are suitable for a broad range of applications. While such systems are very versatile, they are relatively expensive to manufacture. With the migration of FIB systems from the laboratory to the production floor, it is important to make FIB systems easier to use and to improve their performance. Improved performance means being able to process material more efficiently and increasing resolution, that is, being able to focus the beam to a smaller spot to perform finer operations. 
     Part of making FIB systems more suitable for production involves reducing the cost and size of the optical column used to generate and focus the ion beam. Minimizing the column optical length reduces ion interactions within the beam. These interactions increase the beam diameter and reduce resolution. Minimizing the column width facilitates combining a FIB in a vacuum chamber with a second beam, such as an electron beam for a scanning electron microscope (“SEM”). Such systems allow a work piece to be inspected using an electron beam after the work piece is machined using the focused ion beam. In such dual beam systems, the FIB column preferably penetrates deeply into the vacuum chamber and consequently should have a narrow profile to clear the SEM column and work piece. 
     A part of the ion column that includes the ion source, and often a first lens, is referred to as an “ion gun.” An ion gun typically includes an emitter, from which the ions are emitted, an extractor that provides a high voltage to assist in extracting ions from the emitter, an extractor aperture that helps to initially define the beam diameter, and a suppressor around the emitter that provides fine control of the emitter emission current. Because air molecules would interfere with the ions in the beam, the entire path of the ion beam is contained in a system vacuum chamber that maintains a high or an ultrahigh vacuum. The ion gun is often contained within its own separately sealable gun vacuum chamber so that the emitter will not be contaminated when the system vacuum chamber is opened to insert or remove a work piece. The mechanism for actuating the vacuum isolation valve that seals the gun vacuum chamber typically extends out of the system vacuum chamber. 
     An ion column also typically includes a beam aperture that is positioned after the ion gun and that further refines the beam diameter. Many FIB systems use an automatic variable aperture (AVA). An AVA typically includes a thin sheet of metal having multiple small holes of various sizes to form a line of apertures. A stage moves the aperture strip to position a hole of the desired diameter in the path of the beam. The mechanism for moving the aperture strip typically extends outside of the system vacuum chamber. 
     FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional drawing of a typical FIB column assembly  100 . The column uses an ultrahigh vacuum gun chamber  102 , which is composed of welded stainless steel surrounded by a magnetic shield  104  composed of a mumetal, that is, a metal that reduces transmission of magnetic fields into the column. Ion optical elements that carry a high voltage, such as a gun lens  110 , a final lens  112 , and deflector plates  114  are typically metallic elements that are supported and electrically isolated by complex alumina and machineable glass dielectric elements, such as a high voltage insulator  116 . The metal optical elements are typically screwed or brazed to the dielectric elements, but may also be glued to the dielectrics using, for example, an epoxy. 
     Electrical and mechanical connections, or “feedthroughs” from inside to outside high vacuum chamber  102  must be sealed so that air does not leak into the vacuum chamber through the feedthroughs. There are known techniques for use in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) systems, in which brazed-metal-to-ceramic elements are employed for high-voltage isolation and vacuum sealing. FIG. 1 shows high voltage electrical feedthroughs  120 . FIG. 1 also shows mechanical feedthroughs for driving the automatic variable aperture and for positioning the emitter. The emitter is aligned within the gun chamber  102  by using four knobs  122  external to the gun chamber  102 , which are coupled through differential screws (not shown) to an emitter/suppressor assembly by vacuum bellows and high voltage isolation. Such an arrangement is complex and expensive. The automatic variable aperture is moved by a drive mechanism  124  that is outside of the system vacuum chamber and a mechanical connection extends from the external drive mechanism to the aperture plate itself. 
     An ion pump port  130  connects to an ion pump for creating the ultra high vacuum within vacuum chamber  102 , while a gun chamber vacuum isolation valve mechanism  132  allows vacuum chamber  102  to be vacuum isolated so that, for example, a system vacuum chamber in which the work piece is positioned and into which column  100  is inserted, can be opened to atmosphere without contaminating the elements in vacuum chamber  102 . Vacuum isolation valve mechanism  132  extends through a wall of the system vacuum chamber. Column assembly  100  is mounted onto a system vacuum chamber using mounting flange  140 . 
     In a conventional ion column design as described above, the overall, in-vacuum surface area is large. Because gases tend to adsorb onto surfaces in the vacuum chamber and the gas molecules desorb over time, a large surface area tends to increase the vacuum pumping requirements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a high performance FIB optical column design of a less complex design. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a portion of an ion optical column is formed using a dielectric bushing to support metallic optical elements, electrically isolate them, and form a vacuum chamber around those elements. In particular, the dielectric bushing is suitable for forming an ion gun vacuum chamber in which are contained an emitter assembly and other optical elements, the gun vacuum chamber preferably being vacuum sealable separately from the system vacuum chamber. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a compact ion column includes, within the system vacuum chamber, an automated variable aperture drive mechanism and a gun chamber vacuum isolation valve activation mechanism. Including these mechanisms within the vacuum chamber facilitates the design of multi-beam systems by eliminating mechanical feedthroughs that would interfere with the placement of other components in the vacuum chamber. 
     It will be understood that the invention includes more than one novel aspect. Different embodiments can be constructed for different purposes using any one of, or combination of, the different aspects of the invention, and not all the advantages of the invention are, therefore, necessarily achieved by every embodiment that is within the scope of the attached claims. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a prior art FIB column, with portions of the outer covering removed to disclose construction details. 
     FIG. 2A is a drawing of the exterior of the FIB column of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2B shows the FIB column of FIG. 2A with a portion of the exterior cover removed to display a partial cross section. 
     FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional drawing of an emitter assembly in which the first gun lens element is separate from the extractor but at the same potential as the extractor 
     FIG. 3B is a cross sectional drawing of an emitter assembly in which the first gun lens element is attached to the extractor. 
     FIG. 4 is a drawing of an isolation valve activation mechanism suitable for use inside a vacuum chamber. 
     FIG. 5 is a drawing of a piezoelectrically driven X-Y aperture motion stage suitable for use inside a vacuum chamber. 
     FIG. 6 shows schematically a multiple beam system using a column of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows the exterior of an ion column  200 . High voltage cables  202  provide the high voltage necessary to operate the optical elements in column  200 . An ion pump  204  attached to a flange  205  evacuates a gun chamber  206  to a high or ultra high vacuum. A flange  208  is used to secure column  200  to a system vacuum chamber (not shown), with the portion of column  200  containing the ion optical elements being positioned within the system vacuum chamber, which contains a work piece to which the ion beam is directed during operation. 
     As shown in FIG. 2B, gun chamber  206  is fabricated using a housing or gun bushing  210  of a dielectric material that forms the vacuum wall and provides mechanical support and high voltage isolation for the ion optical elements in the chamber. The lens elements are preferably glued or brazed into the dielectric material of gun bushing  210  using a fixture to ensure the elements are accurately aligned. FIG. 2A shows that there are no mechanical feedthroughs through the portion of column  200  that will be positioned in the system vacuum chamber. 
     FIG. 2B shows additional features of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An emitter  220 , a suppressor  222 , an extractor  224  and a first lens  226  are combined into an ion emitter module  230 , which is easily replaced, if necessary, in the field. The gun chamber  206 , which includes its own vacuum pump, an ion pump (not shown) attached to port  204 , can be vacuum isolated from the system vacuum chamber using an isolation valve  240 . The isolation valve assembly  240 , an X-Y aperture stage of an automated variable aperture  242 , as well as deflection plates  246  and a final lens  248 , are located outside of the gun chamber  206  and within the system vacuum chamber. 
     The optical column preferably has a short length to minimize beam broadening by mutual repulsion by the ions. Reducing the ion column optical length shortens the ion path to the target. To facilitate this short length while providing the ability of the column to extend into the system vacuum chamber, the isolation valve activation mechanism and aperture changing drive mechanism are preferably positioned within the system vacuum chamber. Positioning these mechanisms within the system vacuum chamber eliminates the requirement for corresponding mechanical feedthroughs that restrict the positioning of the ion column within the system vacuum chamber and increase system complexity. 
     Gun bushing  210  can be comprised of a ceramic, polymer, or even high resistivity semiconductor material and can optionally be contained within a metal column body (not shown). The optional metal body provides a steady platform for the gun and can be used to magnetically shield the ion beam. O-rings of an elastomeric material can provide vacuum seals between the gun bushing  210  and the metal chamber. Alternatively, if the system vacuum chamber surrounds gun bushing  210 , then the portion of the metal body around the gun bushing might not be needed, and the diameter of the gun can be reduced. 
     The metal gun optical elements are glued or brazed inside the gun bushing  210  using suitable tools and fixtures, and post machined for accuracy if needed. Such manufacturing techniques are well known in the art of charged particle beam optics. A brazed assembly is less likely to produce outgassing in the vacuum chamber, but brazing has the disadvantage of requiring the assembly to be heated to a high temperature during construction. Note that the column has a narrow cross section and can be therefore deeply recessed into the main vacuum chamber. Recessing the column provides a relatively short optical path and reduces beam interactions, thereby improving ion beam optical properties. 
     The wires from the gun optical elements go through holes in the side of gun bushing  210  and are glued for vacuum integrity. Alternatively, the wires can be sealed by elastomeric O-rings, or can be fused or brazed into gun bushing  210 . These methods provide very simple electrical feedthroughs. Outside the gun bushing, the wires are potted with standard high voltage, high temperature potting material. High voltage “flying leads” with connectors on their ends can be used, or the connectors can be potted to the gun bushing or into holes in the bushing. These methods provide simple connector means. Persons skilled in basic vacuum system fabrication techniques will be able to make such connectors, as well as the rest of ion column described herein, based upon the guidance provided in this specification. 
     A vacuum pump, preferably an ion pump, may be placed on top of the main column flange and optionally has a vacuum valve to maintain vacuum in the vacuum pump when the gun is serviced, such as when the emitter assembly is replaced. The high voltage connectors as well as the gun access flange need to be removed for this servicing using a column using this configuration. Alternatively an ion pump can be fastened to the side of the gun chamber top, and the various wires and other services to the gun and lower column can be connected to the outer perimeter of the gun bushing top. Using this alternative configuration, the emitter module can be accessed through the top center of the gun without removing some or all of the services described above. 
     Isolation valve  240 , automated variable aperture  242 , and their associated activating or drive mechanisms are preferably positioned completely inside the main system vacuum chamber to provide a short column length. The isolation valve is a small mechanism, which is air-actuated by an air line down along the column chamber body. The AVA preferably uses a very small X-Y stage, preferably piezoelectrically actuated, which is vacuum compatible and has low magnetic fields. 
     To provide aperture arrays, electroformed or electroetched apertures can be employed for the medium to large size apertures. Conventional techniques can be used to fabricate small apertures into thin (about 25 microns) metal sheets to about three microns accuracy. Alternatively, the apertures can be formed by laser ablation or FIB milling, or by a combination of electroforming or electroetching plus laser ablation or FIB. In any case, two dimensional aperture arrays of about 100 apertures may be formed to provide long times (many months) between aperture replacements. 
     FIG. 3A shows one preferred design for an ion gun assembly  300 . Ion gun assembly  300  includes an emitter assembly support  302  that supports and positions an emitter assembly  304  relative to a gun bushing  308 . Emitter assembly  304  includes an emitter  312 , a suppressor  314 , an extractor cap  316 , and the extractor aperture  318 . Gun bushing  308  supports a first gun lens element  320 , which is separate from the emitter assembly  304  and is maintained at the same electrical potential as extractor cap  316 . Gun bushing  308  also supports a second gun lens element  322  and a third gun lens element  324 . An emitter assembly flange  330  is used to secure emitter assembly support  302  in position within the gun vacuum chamber. As described above, gun bushing  308  can be surrounded by a steel chamber  332 . Ion gun assembly  300  has the following advantages compared to the prior art: 
     A. Replacing emitter assembly  304  exchanges the emitter  312 , extractor cap  316  and the extractor aperture  318  as one assembly. This reduces the effort to replace these individual parts. 
     B. The alignment between the emitter  312  and the extractor aperture  318  can be more accurate than in prior art design. The radial runout, that is, the offset of the axes of the individual parts from the axes of the assembly, can be kept very small by adjustments during assembly. In the prior art, this runout depended upon individual part clearances and tolerance stackups between multiple parts. Maintaining a small runout between the emitter and extractor aperture is particularly important for large beam applications, where spherical aberrations prevail. 
     C. By having the first lens element  320  remain in the chamber when the extractor is removed, the first lens element is protected from scratches and dust, which is important because the electric field stress on it is very large. Scratches or contamination can cause the lens element  320  to break down when subjected to a high voltage under normal operating conditions. Also, the first lens element  320  can be closely aligned with the other gun lens elements during assembly to minimize radial runout between those parts. 
     In one embodiment, emitter assembly support  302  is movable in the X-Y plane to position the emitter  312 , suppressor  314 , extractor cap  316  and extractor aperture  318  assembly with respect to the gun lens  320 . In another embodiment, emitter assembly  304  can be a pre-positioned assembly, which fits into a precision recess in gun bushing  308  or first gun lens element  320 . 
     FIG. 3B shows an alternate design for an ion gun assembly  350  that includes an emitter assembly  352  mounted on a gun bushing  354 . Emitter assembly  352  includes an emitter  356 , a suppressor  358 , an extractor  360 , and an extractor aperture  362 . A first gun lens element  364  is attached to extractor  360 , rather than being mounted to gun bushing  354  as in ion gun  300  of FIG.  3 A. The design of FIG. 3B is simpler, but the first gun lens element  364 , which forms the lower surface of the extractor  360 , is removed with the emitter assembly and is therefore more susceptible to being scratched and subsequently suffer high voltage breakdown. Moreover, when the first gun lens element  364  is removed with the emitter assembly for emitter and extractor aperture replacement, precise alignment of first gun lens element  364  with the other gun lens elements, such as a lens element  366  and lens element  368 , is more difficult because first lens element  364  is mounted on the emitter assembly  352  and the other elements are mounted on gun bushing  354 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of an in-vacuum isolation valve mechanism  400  used on the column of FIGS. 2A and 2B. Sealed metal bellows  402  uses air pressure fed through a hole  406  in the side of the gun to open a valve. Springs  404  return the valve to the closed position when the air pressure is off. A wedge sealing surface on slider  410  slides under the valve seat  408  placed at the base of the gun (not shown). An O-ring on the wedge surface of slider  410  forms the valve seal. Valve seat  408  has a hole through it to pass the ion beam from the gun to the lower column. 
     FIG. 5 shows a preferred aperture X-Y positioning stage  500  for moving an aperture array  502  to position a selected aperture in the ion beam path in the column of FIGS. 2A and 2B. Motion stage  500  includes slots  504  for holding the aperture plate and two piezoelectric drives  506  (one shown) to provide high speed, high-resolution motion of positioning stage  500  in the X and Y directions. A stage  510  moves in the X direction and a stage  512  moves in a Y direction, each on linear bearings  514 . Linear encoders  508  provide accurate feedback of the X-Y stage motion. Aperture positions are reproducible to better than one micron. 
     FIG. 6 shows a dual beam system  600  using a FIB column  602  as described above. FIB column  602  includes an AVA drive mechanism  500  and a vacuum isolation valve  400 , both of which are positioned within a system vacuum chamber  604 . AVA drive mechanism  500  is contained within system vacuum chamber  604 , and only electrical connections are required to extend outside of system vacuum chamber  604 . Similarly, the vacuum isolation valve mechanism  400  is contained within system vacuum chamber  604 , and only an air line for actuating the valve is required to extend outside of the chamber. Dual beam system  600  also includes a second beam system, in this case scanning electron microscope  610 , directed toward the same work piece  608  as the FIB column. 
     Although the example provided illustrated a gun bushing, other portions of the optical column can be placed in a dielectric bushing. The invention is not limited to use with a liquid metal focused ion beam source, but can be used to construct other charged particle beam systems. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, there are no mechanical feedthroughs into the system vacuum chamber. All mechanical devices are contained within the system vacuum chamber and only control means, such as electrical wires or pneumatic tubes, penetrate the vacuum chamber wall. Since the emitter assembly is prealigned, it requires no complex electrical mechanical motion in an automated FIB system. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.