Amray Inc.

Martin D Mannion

Wayne V Vogen

A system for adjusting the scanning pattern of an electron beam in a scanning electron microscope to decrease image sensitivity to vibrations. In the system, a seismometer is connected to sense displacement velocity caused by vibrations, an integrator is provided for integrating signals from the seisometer, and a phase compensation system is provided for operating upon the integrated signals to provide phase compensated signals that are substantialy 180 degrees out of phase with the sensed vibrations. The phase-compensated signals are used for adjusting the normal scanning pattern of the electron beam microscope to reduce the effects of the sensed vibrations on images provided by the microscope.

Phase-compensating vibration cancellation system for scanning electron

A method and system to reduce the sensitivity of instruments such as scanning electron microscopes to vibrations and similar disturbances. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes at least two velocity sensors connected to the specimen stage of the microscope to detect vibrations in two independent directions, integrators to integrate output signals from the velocity sensors to indicate displacement of the specimen stage in the two directions, and a beam steering device that receives signals from the integrators and adjusts the normal scanning pattern of the electron beam of the microscope to reduce the effect of vibrations.

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Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Martin D Mannion