Patent ID: 8604428

Claim:
A method of controlling particle absorption on a wafer sample within a charged particle beam imaging system, comprising: performing a transfer-in process to transfer said wafer sample from a wafer sample storage onto a support member for a charged particle beam imaging, said wafer sample storage being configured for pre-imaging and post-imaging storage of said wafer sample, said support member being configured for supporting said wafer sample thereon during said charged particle beam imaging, said support member being equipped with a securing unit for securing and un-securing said wafer sample on said support member; performing said charged particle beam imaging of said wafer sample; and performing a transfer-out process to transfer said wafer sample from said support member to said wafer sample storage, wherein during said transfer-in and transfer-out process, said wafer sample is kept electrically neutral by grounding said wafer sample, said support member, said securing unit and said wafer sample storage.