Patent ID: 7476882

Claim:
An electron-beam calibration method for an electron-beam system including at least an electron source for emitting an electron beam, a stage for mounting a sample thereon, deflection means, an objective lens, and a calibrating mark, said electron-beam calibration method comprising the steps of: scanning said electron beam on said calibrating mark in a first direction parallel to a one-dimensional diffraction grating pattern arranged with a predetermined pitch size; displacing by said deflection means, said scanning position in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and by an amount corresponding to said pitch size of said diffraction grating, scanning said electron beam in said first direction parallel to said one-dimensional diffraction grating pattern; detecting reflected electrons or secondary electrons emitted from said calibrating mark; and performing, from said detection result, calibration for a deflection direction or a deflection quantity of said electron beam.