The present invention relates to an electron microscope.
An electron microscope is a device for observing a surface or an inside of a sample in a magnified manner by irradiating the sample with an electron beam. In particular, in a scanning electron microscope, secondary electrons or backscattered electrons emitted from the sample by scanning the sample with the electron beam are used as a luminance signal to obtain an electron microscope image. Therefore, in the scanning electron microscope, an observation image having a higher resolution can be obtained as the electron beam to be emitted is narrowed by using an electrostatic lens or a magnetic lens. In particular, in order to shorten a focal length, a magnetic lens having a magnetic pole structure that leaks a magnetic field toward the sample is used as an objective lens. Such an objective lens is called a semi-in-lens type or a snorkel type because of the shape thereof.
An example of an electron microscope in which a semi-in-lens type objective lens is used will be described. PTL 1 discloses an electron microscope in which secondary electrons emitted from a sample are detected by a detector disposed closer to an electron source than a semi-in-lens. PTL 2 discloses an electron microscope in which a detection efficiency of secondary electrons emitted from a sample is improved by forming an inner surface of a cylindrical member disposed in an objective lens as a surface having a high secondary electron generation efficiency. PTL 3 discloses a scanning electron microscope in which a detection efficiency of secondary electrons can be improved and a signal based on backscattered electrons emitted from a sample can also be detected by providing a surface having a high secondary electron generation efficiency on an inner surface of an inner magnetic pole of an objective lens.
PTL 4 discloses a scanning electron microscope in which a reflection plate for emitting secondary electrons by collision of backscattered electrons is provided in a sample chamber to separate and simultaneously detect secondary electrons and backscattered electrons. PTL 5 discloses that, in order to maintain a detection efficiency even when trajectories of secondary electrons and backscattered electrons change, a voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode extending from a detector toward a sample is controlled based on an inclination of a sample stage and an energy of an electron beam to be emitted.
PTL 6 discloses an electron microscope in which an energy of secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, and the like is identified and detected by controlling trajectories of electrons using a grid electrode disposed in front of a detector. PTL 7 discloses an electron microscope in which secondary electrons emitted from a sample are guided to a detector by applying a voltage to an electrode disposed at a front stage of the detector. Further, PTL 8 discloses an electron microscope in which a positive voltage is applied to a central electrode surrounding a detector with respect to outer electrodes surrounding the central electrode.
However, in an electron microscope in which a semi-in-lens is used in any of the patent literature, it is not considered to detect low angle backscattered electrons, which are backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, to improve an image quality of a backscattered electron image. A magnetic field leaked from the semi-in-lens, which is an objective lens, to narrow an electron beam does not interfere with the detection of the backscattered electrons other than the low angle backscattered electrons, but returns the low angle backscattered electrons to a sample and thus interferes with detection of low angle backscattered electrons. If a detector is too close to a position irradiated with the electron beam to detect the low angle backscattered electrons, the narrowing of the electron beam is adversely affected.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by low angle backscattered electrons, which are backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even in an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample.
In order to achieve the above object, the invention provides an electron microscope for generating an observation image of a sample using an electron beam. The electron microscope includes: an electron source configured to irradiate the sample with the electron beam; an objective lens configured to focus the electron beam by a leakage magnetic field which is a magnetic field leaked toward the sample; a detector configured to detect a third electron which is an electron emitted when a low angle backscattered electron is caused to collide with the sample by the leakage magnetic field, the low angle backscattered electron being a backscattered electron emitted at a low angle with respect to a surface of the sample; and a compensation electrode or a compensation magnetic pole provided between the sample and the detector and configured to control a trajectory of the third electron.
According to the invention, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by low angle backscattered electrons, which are backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample.
Hereinafter, embodiments of an electron microscope according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The electron microscope is a device that observes a sample by irradiating the sample with an electron beam.
An overall configuration of an electron microscope 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to
The electron gun 101 is an electron source that emits electrons, and is, for example, a field emission cathode. The extraction electrode 102 and the anode 104 are electrodes applied with a positive voltage to the electron gun 101, and each have a hole passed through by a primary electron beam B1, which is electrons emitted from the electron gun 101. An absolute value of the voltage applied to the electron gun 101 is larger in the anode 104 than in the extraction electrode 102. The condenser lens 105 is a lens for focusing the primary electron beam B1. The aperture 106 is a member that determines an opening angle of the primary electron beam B1 in the objective lens 118, and has a hole passed through by the primary electron beam B1. The adjustment knob 107 is used to adjust a center position of the aperture 106. The upper deflector 108 and the lower deflector 109 deflect the primary electron beam B1 and scan a sample 120 with the primary electron beam B1.
The objective lens 118 is a lens for focusing the deflected primary electron beam B1, and includes a magnetic pole 116 and an objective lens coil 117 having a rotationally symmetrical shape. A magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the objective lens coil 117 leaks from a gap 119 of the magnetic pole 116 toward the sample 120 to narrow the primary electron beam B1. That is, the objective lens 118 is a semi-in-lens.
The sample stage 121 holds the sample 120 and controls a position and a posture of the sample 120. That is, the sample stage 121 moves the sample 120 in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, inclines the sample 120 with respect to a horizontal plane, or rotates the sample 120 with the vertical direction as a rotation axis. A negative voltage is applied to the sample stage 121, and an electric field for decelerating the primary electron beam B1 is formed between the sample 120 on the sample stage 121 and the objective lens 118.
When a point S on the sample 120 is irradiated with the decelerated primary electron beam B1, secondary electrons and backscattered electrons are emitted from the point S. The secondary electrons are, for example, electrons having an energy of less than 100 eV, and the backscattered electrons are, for example, electrons having an energy of 100 eV or more. In addition, the secondary electrons and the backscattered electrons are divided into high angle electrons C emitted at a high angle and low angle electrons D emitted at a low angle with respect to a surface of the sample 120. The electric field for decelerating the primary electron beam B1 pulls up the high angle electrons C into a path of the objective lens 118 while accelerating the high angle electrons C. The high angle electrons C pulled up into the path are affected by the magnetic field of the objective lens 118 and move toward the electron gun 101 while drawing a spiral trajectory. A voltage may be applied to the pull-up electrode 115 provided inside the objective lens 118 so as to pull up more high angle electrons C.
The Wien filter 114 includes an electrode 111, an electrode 112, and a coil 113, and deflects the pulled high angle electrons C toward the first detector 110 by an electric field 134 formed by the electrode 111 and the electrode 112 and a magnetic field 133 formed by the coil 113. The electric field 134 and the magnetic field 133 also act on the primary electron beam B1, but since the actions of the electric field 134 and the magnetic field 133 cancel each other out, the primary electron beam B1 travels straight.
The first detector 110 detects secondary electrons among the high angle electrons C deflected by the Wien filter 114, and transmits a detection signal corresponding to an amount of the detected secondary electrons to the control device 150. The control device 150 generates a secondary electron image based on the received detection signal. The generated secondary electron image is displayed on the display 151 or stored in the storage device 152.
Trajectories of the low angle electrons D emitted from the point S will be described with reference to
A correlation between the distance from the point S to the point A at which the low angle electrons D collide with the sample 120 and the energy of the low angle electrons D will be described with reference to
A detector brought close to the point S, which is a position irradiated with the primary electron beam B1 to detect the low angle electrons D in the trajectories shown in
The third electrons E are electrons emitted by backscattered electrons having a relatively high energy among the low angle electrons D. An amount of the third electrons E is proportional to an amount of low angle backscattered electrons, which are the backscattered electrons among the low angle electrons D. Although the amount of the third electrons E also depends on a state of the positions where the low angle electrons D collide, since the points A where the low angle electrons D collide is distributed in the annular region centered on the point S, the influence of the state of the positions where the low angle electrons D collide is reduced. That is, an image generated based on the intensity of the detection signal obtained by detecting the third electrons E is a low angle backscattered electron image. When the third electrons generated from a wide annular region of the sample are detected, it is considered that the third electrons become noise and make it difficult to obtain a clear backscattered electron image, but the inventors have found by calculation and experiments that the primary electron beam can obtain a backscattered electron image in which an irradiated structure can be sufficiently recognized. Since the secondary electrons having a relatively low energy among the low angle electrons D do not contribute to the emission of the third electrons E, the low angle electrons D are interpreted as the low angle backscattered electrons D in the following description.
The trajectories of the third electrons E emitted from the points A at which the low angle backscattered electrons D collide with the sample 120 will be described with reference to
The description returns to
The control of the trajectories of the third electrons E by the compensation electrode 135 in the space where the magnetic field leaked from the objective lens exists will be described with reference to
The compensation electrode 135 according to the first embodiment is implemented with an electrode 135A1 and an electrode 135A2 which are flat plates parallel to each other, and is applied with a voltage from a voltage source 149. When the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample 120 and the fluorescent plate 137 are applied with voltages having opposite polarities and equal absolute values, an electric field is formed in a direction of an arrow 161 substantially parallel to the surface of the sample 120 and the fluorescent plate 137. By adjusting the voltage applied to the compensation electrode 135, a proportion of those detected by the second detector 136 among the third electrons E emitted from the points A can be controlled.
An example of a correlation between the voltage applied to the compensation electrode 135 and the number of the third electrons E detected by the second detector 136 will be described with reference to
According to
The description returns to
In addition, in the configuration of
Since the third electrons E are not emitted when the points A with which the low angle backscattered electrons D collide are located at positions deviated from the sample 120 or the sample stage 121, it is desirable that the sample 120 or the sample stage 121 have a size including the annular region in which the points A are distributed. An outer diameter of the annular region depends on the intensity of the leakage magnetic field, and is, for example, about 200 mm in the case of the objective lens 118 used in the electron microscope 100 having an image resolution of several nm. That is, when the image resolution of the electron microscope 100 is several nm, it is desirable that the sample 120 or the sample stage 121 have a diameter of 200 mm or more. A shape of the sample 120 or the sample stage 121 is not limited to a circle, and may be any shape such as a rectangle.
In addition, it is desirable that the direction of the electric field formed between the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 is set according to the direction of the leakage magnetic field. That is, as shown in
In addition, since the third electrons E emitted from the points A fly in the vicinity of the surface of the sample 120, it is desirable that the compensation electrode 135 is disposed in the vicinity of the surface of the sample 120. In order to avoid collision with the sample 120, a distance between the sample 120 and the compensation electrode 135 may be equal to a distance between the sample 120 and the objective lens 118, for example. Further, since the trajectories of the third electrons E are controlled by the electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135, it is desirable that the surface of the compensation electrode 135 facing the sample 120 is parallel to the surface of the sample 120. With such a structure, it is possible to form an electric field that widely covers a region where the third electrons E fly, and it is easy to control the trajectories of the third electrons E.
The number of electrodes forming the compensation electrode 135 is not limited to two, and may be three or more, and the voltage applied to each electrode may be adjusted such that the value of the detection signal output from the second detector 136 is larger. In addition, an angle between the center line 140 of the second detector 136 and the surface of the sample 120 may be adjusted such that the value of the detection signal output from the second detector 136 is larger.
An example of a screen displayed on the display 151 will be described with reference to
In many cases, the secondary electron image 154 is an image in which details of the sample 120 are easily observed because a signal to noise ratio (SNR) is high, but is also an image in which unevenness of the sample 120 is difficult to recognize. On the other hand, the backscattered electron image 155 is an image whose direction is limited, and thus is an image including a bright line 158 indicating an end portion of a structure and a shadow 159 generated in the vicinity of the structure as if light is applied from an illumination direction 157. That is, an image in which the unevenness of the sample 120 is easily recognized is obtained.
As described above, by superimposing the electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135 in the space where the magnetic field leaked from the semi-in-lens, which is the objective lens, exists, the third electrons E emitted from the points A at which the low angle backscattered electrons D collide with the sample 120 are controlled so as to be directed toward the second detector 136, and thus the third electrons E can be detected by the second detector 136. Since the amount of the third electrons E is proportional to the amount of the low angle backscattered electrons emitted from the point S irradiated with the electron beam, the low angle backscattered electron image can be generated based on the detection signal of the second detector 136. The second detector 136 is disposed at a position that does not adversely affect the narrowing of the primary electron beam B1, and the compensation electrode 135 is provided between the point A and the second detector 136.
That is, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, it is possible to obtain an image in which unevenness is more easily recognized than in the related art.
In the first embodiment, the case is described in which the compensation electrode 135 provided between the second detector 136 and the point A, at which the low angle backscattered electrons D collide with the sample 120, is implemented with the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 parallel to each other. In a second embodiment, a case where a grid electrode is provided together with the compensation electrode 135 including the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The compensation electrode 135 and a grid electrode 162 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to
The grid electrode 162 is an electrode in which metal wires are assembled in a lattice shape, and is provided between the compensation electrode 135 and the point S irradiated with the primary electron beam B1. Instead of the grid electrode 162, an electrode implemented with a thin metal plate having a plurality of openings through which electrons pass may be used. The grid electrode 162 has a ground potential, and prevents an electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135 from deflecting the primary electron beam B1. As a result, an increase in a beam diameter of the primary electron beam B1 due to deflection aberration is prevented, and the resolution of the electron microscope can be maintained. The third electrons E emitted from the point A pass through the grid electrode 162, fly while receiving a force from the electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135 and the leakage magnetic field, and are incident on the second detector 136 to be detected.
In addition, in order to increase the amount of the third electrons E passing through the grid electrode 162, a voltage of several volts may be applied to the grid electrode 162. By increasing the amount of the third electrons E passing through the grid electrode 162, a detection efficiency of the second detector 136 is improved, and a backscattered electron image having a high SNR can be obtained.
According to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, the grid electrode 162 can prevent an increase in the beam diameter of the primary electron beam B1 and improve the detection efficiency of the second detector 136, thereby improving an image quality of the backscattered electron image.
In the first embodiment, the case is described in which the compensation electrode 135 provided between the second detector 136 and the point A, at which the low angle backscattered electrons D collide with the sample 120, is implemented with the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 parallel to each other. In a third embodiment, a case where the compensation electrode 135 is implemented with one of the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The compensation electrode 135 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to
As in the first embodiment, the compensation electrode 135 shown in
An example of a correlation between the voltage applied to the electrode 135A1 of
A modification of the compensation electrode 135 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to
Similarly to
An example of a correlation between the voltage applied to the electrode 135A2 of
A modification of the compensation electrode 135 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to
Similarly to
An example of a correlation between the voltage applied to the electrode 135A2 of
In addition, in order to make the number of the third electrons E detected in
According to the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since the compensation electrode 135 according to the third embodiment includes only one of the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, it is possible to provide an electron microscope having a simple structure and a low manufacturing cost.
In the first embodiment, the case where the sample 120 is kept horizontal has been described. In a fourth embodiment, a case where the sample 120 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to
Similarly to
A modification of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to
Similarly to
According to the fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since the third electrons E can be detected even when the sample 120 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, a backscattered electron image having a high SNR can be obtained.
In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where a set of the compensation electrode 135 and the second detector 136 is provided has been described. In a fifth embodiment, a case where two sets of the compensation electrode 135 and the second detector 136 are provided will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The fifth embodiment will be described with reference to
In
The electrode 135A1 is provided between the second detector 136 and the point A at which the low angle backscattered electrons D collide with the sample 120, and superimposes an electric field such that the third electrons E emitted from the point A are directed to the second detector 136 in a space where a magnetic field leaked from the objective lens 118 exists. In addition, the electrode 135B1 is provided between the second detector 136T and a point AT at which a low angle backscattered electrons DT collide with the sample 120, and superimposes an electric field such that third electrons ET emitted from the point AT are directed to the second detector 136T in a space where a magnetic field leaked from the objective lens 118 exists.
Since the third electrons E detected by the second detector 136 and the third electrons ET detected by the second detector 136T are emitted by collision of the low angle backscattered electrons D and the low angle backscattered electrons DT, which have different azimuth angles, with the sample 120, two backscattered electron images having different azimuth angles can be obtained. Since the obtained two backscattered electron images are shadow images whose illumination directions are different from each other by 90°, an uneven structure of the sample 120 can be more clearly grasped by observation of the two backscattered electron images. When the two sets of the compensation electrode 135 and the second detector 136 are disposed as shown in
According to the fifth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since two backscattered electron images having different azimuth angles can be obtained, the uneven structure of the sample 120 can be more clearly grasped.
In the first to fifth embodiments, the case where the compensation electrode 135 is provided between the second detector 136 and the point A at which the low angle backscattered electrons D collide with the sample 120 has been described. In a sixth embodiment, a case where a compensation magnetic pole that forms a magnetic field for controlling the trajectory of the third electrons E is provided instead of the compensation electrode 135 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the sixth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The sixth embodiment will be described with reference to
When a current flowing through the objective lens coil 117 is reversed, the direction of the magnetic field formed by the compensation magnetic pole 131 may be controlled to be reversed. Further, it is desirable that the compensation magnetic pole 131 is disposed sufficiently away from a region where the low angle backscattered electrons D fly. In addition, instead of the compensation magnetic pole 131, a magnetic shielding material that shields the leakage magnetic field may be provided between the point A and the second detector 136.
According to the sixth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, when a permanent magnet is used as the compensation magnetic pole 131, it is not necessary to provide a power supply used for the compensation magnetic pole 131, and thus it is possible to provide an electron microscope having a simple structure and low manufacturing cost and running cost.
In the first to fifth embodiments, a case where a flat electrode is provided as the compensation electrode 135 has been described. In a seventh embodiment, a case where an electrode having a bent shape is provided as the compensation electrode 135 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the seventh embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The seventh embodiment will be described with reference to
The electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are provided between the second detector 136 and the point A at which the low angle backscattered electrons D collide with the sample 120. In a space where a magnetic field leaked from the objective lens 118 exists, an electric field is superimposed such that the third electrons E emitted from the point A are directed to the second detector 136. Accordingly, a backscattered electron image in which an azimuth angle of backscattered electron emission is limited is obtained.
Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in
In
The direction of bend of the compensation electrode toward the center line 140 of the second detector 136 is not limited to one direction. When the space in the vicinity of the second detector 136 is roughly divided into a space including the center line 140 of the second detector 136 and a space not including the center line 140, the compensation electrode may be bent or curved toward the space in which the center line 140 of the second detector 136 is included. A position and direction of the start of the bend and the curve, an angle of the bend, and a curvature of the curve are not limited.
In addition, it is found that the same effect can be obtained when a distance between the two compensation electrodes is smaller on the side closer to the electron side than on the side closer to the objective lens side and the side closer to the detector. That is, the same effect can be obtained if there is a portion where a distance between the compensation electrode and the center line of the detector is shorter on the side closer to the objective lens than on the side closer to the detector.
In addition, in
According to the seventh embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since it is possible to detect the third electrons particularly with high efficiency, it is possible to obtain a backscattered electron image having a high SNR, and thus it is possible to more clearly grasp the uneven structure of the sample 120.
In the second embodiment, the case where the grid electrode 162 is provided together with the compensation electrode 135 including the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 has been described. In an eighth embodiment, at least a part of the grid electrode 162 is implemented with a plate material. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the eighth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The compensation electrode 135 according to the eighth embodiment and a plate electrode 163, which is an electrode implemented with a plate material, will be described with reference to
As in the seventh embodiment, the compensation electrode 135 includes the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 that are disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample 120 and have shapes bent toward the center line 140 of the second detector 136. A negative voltage is applied to the electrode 135A1, and a positive voltage is applied to the electrode 135A2, such that an electric field in the direction of the arrow 161 is formed between the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2. The electric field in the direction of the arrow 161 acts in the space between the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 to prevent the counterclockwise rotation of the low angle backscattered electrons D as shown in
Here, in the space between the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, when the rotation direction of the low angle backscattered electrons D can be decomposed with at least the direction of the electric field as one component, it is assumed that the rotation direction of the low angle backscattered electrons D and the electric field are the same direction. The rotation direction of the low angle backscattered electrons D need not be completely the same as the direction of the electric field. In addition, when the rotation direction of the low angle backscattered electrons D can be decomposed with the direction opposite to the direction of the electric field as one component, the rotation direction of the low angle backscattered electrons D and the electric field are opposite to each other. The rotation direction of the low angle backscattered electrons D need not be completely opposite to the direction of the electric field. That is, the rotation direction of the low angle backscattered electrons D shown in
The plate electrode 163 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample 120 and between the primary electron beam B1 and the compensation electrode 135, and has a shape covering the compensation electrode 135 along the compensation electrode 135. The plate electrode 163 has the same potential as that of the outside of the objective lens 118. In addition, the plate electrode 163 is not disposed between the point A from which the third electrons E are emitted and the second detector 136.
Since the plate electrode 163 is disposed between the primary electron beam B1 and the compensation electrode 135, an adverse effect of an electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135 on the primary electron beam B1 is reduced. That is, the plate electrode 163 functions as a shield electrode that shields the electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135, prevents deflection of the primary electron beam B1 and distortion of a beam shape, and prevents degradation of the image resolution of the electron microscope. The grid electrode 162 according to the second embodiment also functions as a shield electrode because the grid electrode 162 substantially shields the electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135.
When the plate electrode 163 is used as the shield electrode, the low angle backscattered electrons D having a relatively large emission angle, which is an angle formed by the trajectory of the low angle backscattered electrons D emitted from the point S and the surface of the sample 120, collide with the plate electrode 163 as shown in
When the grid electrode 162 is used as the shield electrode, a part of the low angle backscattered electrons D having a relatively large emission angle passes through the grid electrode 162 and collides with the sample 120, and therefore, the number of the third electrons E detected by the second detector 136 increases and a brighter backscattered electron image is formed.
According to the eighth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since an increase in the beam diameter of the primary electron beam B1 can be prevented and the detection efficiency of the second detector 136 can be improved by the shield electrode such as the plate electrode 163, an image quality of the backscattered electron image can be improved. In particular, when the plate electrode 163 is used as the shield electrode, a backscattered electron image in which the unevenness of the sample is clearer is formed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
In the first embodiment, the case where voltages having opposite polarities and equal absolute values are applied to the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 forming the compensation electrode 135 has been described. In a ninth embodiment, a case where voltages having opposite polarities and different absolute values are applied to the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the ninth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The ninth embodiment will be described with reference to
As in the seventh embodiment, the compensation electrode 135 includes the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 that are disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample 120 and have shapes bent toward the center line 140 of the second detector 136. The electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are disposed at the same distance from the center line 140. In addition, a negative voltage is applied to the electrode 135A1, and a positive voltage is applied to the electrode 135A2, such that an electric field in the direction of the arrow 161 is formed between the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2.
A combination of the grid electrode 162 and the plate electrode 163 is used as a shield electrode. That is, the grid electrode 162 is disposed on a plane orthogonal to the center line 140 of the second detector 136, and the plate electrode 163 having a shape along the compensation electrode 135 is arranged continuous with the grid electrode 162. By using such a shield electrode, since a part of the low angle backscattered electrons D having a relatively large emission angle passes through the grid electrode 162 and collides with the sample 120, the number of the third electrons E detected by the second detector 136 increases, and a brighter backscattered electron image is formed. In addition, since the plate electrode 163 is disposed along the compensation electrode 135, an adverse effect of an electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135 on the primary electron beam B1 is reduced. That is, since deflection of the primary electron beam B1 and distortion of a beam shape are prevented, degradation of the image resolution of the electron microscope can be prevented.
According to the ninth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since the number of detected electrons of the third electrons E is increased by applying voltages having opposite polarities and different absolute values to the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 disposed at the same distance from the center line 140 of the second detector 136, a brighter backscattered electron image can be obtained.
In addition, by using a shield electrode in which the grid electrode 162 and the plate electrode 163 are combined, it is possible to reduce an adverse effect of the electric field formed by the compensation electrode 135 on the primary electron beam B1 and to increase the number of detected electrons of the third electrons E. As a result, it is possible to obtain a brighter electron microscope image having a high resolution.
In the first embodiment, the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 forming the compensation electrode 135 are disposed at the same distance from the center line 140 of the second detector 136, that is, disposed symmetrically with respect to the center line 140. In a 10th embodiment, a case where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are disposed at different distances from the center line 140, that is, a case where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the center line 140 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the 10th embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The 10th embodiment will be described with reference to
As in the first embodiment, the compensation electrode 135 includes the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, which are flat plates parallel to each other, and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample 120. In addition, a negative voltage is applied to the electrode 135A1, and a positive voltage is applied to the electrode 135A2, such that an electric field in the direction of the arrow 161 is formed between the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2. Absolute values of the voltages applied to the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are equal to each other.
L1<L2 is satisfied in
According to the 10th embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since the number of detected electrons of the third electrons E is increased by bringing the electrode 135A1, applied with the negative voltage, closer to the center line 140, a brighter backscattered electron image can be obtained.
In the 10th embodiment, the case where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 forming the compensation electrode 135 are disposed at different distances from the center line 140 of the second detector 136, that is, the case where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are disposed asymmetrically has been described. The asymmetric arrangement of the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 is not limited to the 10th embodiment. In an 11th embodiment, as another example of the asymmetric arrangement of the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, a case where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are disposed at different distances from the primary electron beam B1 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the 11th embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The 11th embodiment will be described with reference to
As in the first embodiment, the compensation electrode 135 includes the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, which are flat plates parallel to each other, and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample 120. In addition, a negative voltage is applied to the electrode 135A1, a positive voltage is applied to the electrode 135A2, and absolute values of the two voltages are equal to each other. In
The electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 may not necessarily have the same size. As shown in
According to the 11th embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since the number of detected electrons of the third electrons E is increased by bringing the electrode 135A1, applied with the negative voltage, closer to the point S at which the low angle backscattered electrons D are emitted, a brighter backscattered electron image can be obtained.
In the tenth and 11th embodiments, the case where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 forming the compensation electrode 135 are arranged asymmetrically has been described. In a 12th embodiment, as another example of the asymmetric arrangement of the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, a case where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are inclined with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface of the sample 120 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the 12th embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The 12th embodiment will be described with reference to
As in the first embodiment, the compensation electrode 135 includes the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 which are flat plates parallel to each other, and voltages having opposite polarities and equal absolute values are applied to the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2. The compensation electrode 135 according to the 12th embodiment is attached to the cover 138 of the second detector 136 while being electrically insulated from the cover 138. By rotating the cover 138 about the center line 140 of the second detector 136 as a rotation axis, the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are inclined with respect to the perpendicular line of the surface of the sample 120.
In
According to the 12th embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since the number of detected electrons of the third electrons E is increased by bringing the electrode 135A1, applied with the negative voltage, closer to the point S at which the low angle backscattered electrons D are emitted, a brighter backscattered electron image can be obtained.
The place where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are attached is not limited to the cover 138, and may be attached to, for example, the objective lens 118. Since the objective lens 118 is disposed at a stable position in the electron microscope, by attaching the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 to the objective lens 118, it is possible to prevent a decrease in sensitivity of the second detector 136 caused by a positional deviation between the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2.
In the tenth to 12th embodiments, the case where the number of detected electrons of the third electrons E is increased by providing the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 asymmetrically has been described. Before the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are asymmetrically disposed, a movement amount of the primary electron beam B1 when a voltage is applied to each of the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 may be measured, and the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 may be disposed based on the measured movement amount.
In the first embodiment, the case where the compensation electrode 135 is implemented with two electrodes of the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 has been described. In a 13th embodiment, a case where a third electrode is disposed in addition to the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the 13th embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The 13th embodiment will be described with reference to
The compensation electrode 135 includes an electrode 135A3 together with the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 which are flat plates parallel to each other. The electrode 135A3 is disposed closer to the electron gun 101 than the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2. Voltages having opposite polarities and equal absolute values are applied to the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, and a negative voltage is applied to the electrode 135A3. When a negative voltage is applied to the electrode 135A3 which is disposed closer to the electron gun 101 than the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, the third electrons E that are going to proceed closer to the electron gun 101 than the second detector 136 are pushed back and incident on the second detector 136. That is, by an electric field formed by the electrode 135A3 applied with the negative voltage, the number of the third electrons E detected by the second detector 136 increases.
According to the 13th embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, by disposing the electrode 135A3, applied with the negative voltage, closer to the electron gun 101 than the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2, the number of detected electrons of the third electrons E increases, and therefore, a brighter backscattered electron image can be obtained.
In the 12th embodiment, the case where the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 are attached to the cover 138 of the second detector 136 while being electrically insulated from the cover 138 so as to be inclined with respect to the perpendicular line of the surface of the sample 120 has been described. In a 14th embodiment, a more specific method of attaching the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 will be described. Since some of the configurations and functions described in the first embodiment can be applied to the 14th embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The 14th embodiment will be described with reference to
In
As shown in
In
As shown in
The measurement of the movement amount of the primary electron beam B1 when voltages are applied to the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 will be described with reference to
The adjustment of the positions of the electrode 135A1 and the electrode 135A2 based on the measured electron beam movement amount will be described with reference to
According to the 14th embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electron microscope capable of obtaining a scanning electron microscope image by backscattered electrons emitted at a low angle with respect to a sample surface, even for an electron microscope including an objective lens that leaks a magnetic field to a sample. In addition, since the position of the compensation electrode 135 is appropriately adjusted, a bright backscattered electron image can be stably obtained.
A plurality of embodiments of the electron microscope of the invention have been described above. The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be embodied by modifying components without departing from a spirit of the invention. In addition, a plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately combined. Further, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2020/036200 | Sep 2020 | WO | international |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2021/035071 | 9/24/2021 | WO |