Multi-beam inspection apparatus with improved detection performance of signal electrons

1. A crossover-forming deflector array of an electro-optical system for directing a plurality of electron beams onto an electron detection device, the crossover-forming deflector array comprising:

a plurality of crossover-forming deflectors positioned at or at least near an image plane of a set of one or more electro-optical lenses of the electro-optical system, wherein each crossover-forming deflector is aligned with a corresponding electron beam of the plurality of electron beams.

2. The crossover-forming deflector array of claim 1 , wherein each crossover-forming deflector is configured to deflect a corresponding electron beam so that all electron beams overlap to form a crossover area on a crossing plane.

3. The crossover-forming deflector array of claim 1 , wherein each crossover-forming deflector has a multi-pole structure.

4. An electro-optical system for projecting a plurality of secondary electron beams from a sample onto respective electron detection surfaces in a multi-beam apparatus, the electro-optical system comprising:

a plurality of crossover-forming deflectors configured to create a crossover area on a crossing plane for the plurality of secondary electron beams, wherein each crossover-forming deflector of the plurality of crossover-forming deflectors is associated with a corresponding secondary electron beam of the plurality of secondary electron beams; and

a beam-limit aperture plate with one or more apertures, positioned at or near the crossing plane, and configured to trim the plurality of secondary electron beams.

5. The electro-optical system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of crossover-forming deflectors are configured to deflect off-axis secondary electron beams of the plurality of secondary electron beams to the crossover area.

6. The electro-optical system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more apertures include a first aperture centered with the crossover area.

7. The electro-optical system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more apertures are configured to have different sizes.

8. The electro-optical system of claim 6 , wherein the beam-limit aperture plate is moveable to align a second aperture of the one or more apertures with the crossover area.

9. The electro-optical system of claim 4 , further comprising:

an electron detection device including the detection surfaces for the plurality of secondary electron beams to form a plurality of images of the sample.

10. The electro-optical system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a first set of one or more lenses and a second set of one or more lenses aligned with an optical axis of the electro-optical system, wherein the electron detection device is positioned closer to the second set than the first set.

11. The electro-optical system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of crossover-forming deflectors are positioned at or at least near a first image plane of the first set between the first set and the second set.

12. The electro-optical system of claim 11 , wherein the first set of one or more lenses is configured to align at least some of the plurality of secondary electron beams with a corresponding crossover-forming deflector of the plurality of crossover-forming deflectors.

13. The electro-optical system of claim 11 , wherein the crossing plane is positioned between the first set and the second set.

14. The electro-optical system of claim 11 , wherein the crossing plane is positioned between the electron detection device and the second set.

15. A method performed by a secondary imaging system to form images of a sample, the method comprising:

deflecting secondary electron beams by a plurality of crossover-forming deflectors being positioned at or at least near one or more image planes of the secondary imaging system to form a crossover area on a crossing plane; and

trimming secondary electron beams by a beam-limit aperture plate with a beam-limit aperture positioned at or at least near the crossing plane.