The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 24, 2012
Filed:
Oct. 28, 2009
James P Nadeau, Beaverton, OR (US);
Pei Zou, Fremont, CA (US);
Jason H. Arjavac, Portland, OR (US);
FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR (US);
Abstract
An improved method of controlling topographical variations when milling a cross-section of a structure, which can be used to reduce topographical variation on a cross-section of a write-head in order to improve the accuracy of metrology applications. Topographical variation is reduced by using a protective layer that comprises a material having mill rates at higher incidence angles that closely approximate the mill rates of the structure at those higher incidence angles. Topographical variation can be intentionally introduced by using a protective layer that comprises a material having mill rates at higher incidence angles that do not closely approximate the mill rates of the structure at those higher incidence angles.