Patent ID: 7912657

Claim:
A method, comprising: measuring, using a measurement device, an electric potential related parameter of a first area of an object; generating, using a processor, a compensated Auger spectrum based upon a non-compensated Auger spectrum and based upon the electric potential related parameter, wherein (i) the electric potential related parameter reflects a state of the first area of the object illuminated by a charged particle beam during generation of the non-compensated Auger spectrum, (ii) the non-compensated Auger spectrum represents an Auger spectrum of the first area at first Auger electron-producing conditions, and (iii) the compensated Auger spectrum represents the Auger spectrum of the first area at second Auger electron producing conditions, wherein, generation of the non-compensated Auger spectrum comprises detecting Auger electrons emitted from the first area that have energy levels within a first energy band, altering the first energy band responsive to the measured electric potential parameter, and repeating detection of Auger electrons and alterating of the first energy band until a first control criterion is fulfilled.