IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,538,658
Granted Patent B2
US 11,538,658 · App. 17/446,188 · Granted Dec 27, 2022

Theta stage mechanism and electron beam inspection apparatus

Inventors: Takahiro Murata (Zushi, JP); Toshikatsu Akiba (Kisarazu, JP); Yoshihiro Izumi (Yokohama, JP)
Assignee: NuFlare Technology, Inc.
H01J37/20G01N23/2251H01J37/28H01J2237/20214H01J2237/2806H01J2237/2817
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,538,658
App. No.
17/446,188
Granted
Dec 27, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, a θ stage mechanism includes a fixed shaft; a plurality of bearings in which outer rings roll on an outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft; a plurality of cylindrical members supported in a state of being inserted inside inner rings of the plurality of bearings; and a table that is arranged on the plurality of cylindrical members and moves in a rotational direction about a center of the fixed shaft by the plurality of bearings rolling on an outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft.

Claims (25)

1. A θ stage mechanism comprising:

a fixed shaft;

a plurality of bearings in which outer rings roll on an outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft;

a plurality of cylindrical members supported in a state of being inserted inside inner rings of the plurality of bearings; and

a table that is arranged on the plurality of cylindrical members and moves in a rotational direction about a center of the fixed shaft by the plurality of bearings rolling on an outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein one or more bearings of the plurality of bearings are respectively fixed to the table via a cylindrical member of the plurality of cylindrical members inserted into an inner ring of the inner rings, and remaining at least one bearing is pressurized to an outer peripheral surface side of the fixed shaft via a cylindrical member of the plurality of cylindrical members inserted into an inner ring of the inner rings.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the fixed shaft is formed into a hollow structure; and

an opening is formed in a center region of the table.

4. The mechanism according to claim 3 further comprising:

an electrode arranged above the table,

wherein wiring is connected to the electrode from outside through a hollow structure of the fixed shaft and the opening of the table.

5. The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein one bearing of the plurality of bearings is pressurized to an outer peripheral surface side of the fixed shaft via a cylindrical member of the plurality of cylindrical members inserted into an inner ring of the inner rings.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein remaining bearings of the plurality of bearings are respectively fixed to the table via a cylindrical member of the plurality of cylindrical members inserted into an inner ring of the inner rings.

7. The mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the opening is formed in a region including a rotation center of the table.

8. The mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein a negative potential is applied to the electrode via the wiring.

9. The mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein a substrate is arranged above the table via the electrode.

10. An electron beam inspection apparatus comprising:

a θ stage mechanism including

a fixed shaft;

a plurality of bearings in which outer rings roll on an outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft;

a plurality of cylindrical members supported in a state of being inserted inside inner rings of the plurality of bearings; and

a table that is arranged on the plurality of cylindrical members and moves in a rotational direction about a center of the fixed shaft by the plurality of bearings rolling on an outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft;

an electron beam column configured to irradiate a substrate arranged on the θ stage mechanism with an electron beam;

a detector configured to detect a secondary electron emitted from the substrate by irradiation of the electron beam; and

a comparison circuit configured to compare an inspected image with a reference image, a secondary electron image based on detected data being used as the inspected image.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2021
From: MURATA, TAKAHIRO; AKIBA, TOSHIKATSU; IZUMI, YOSHIHIRO
To: NUFLARE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057307/0586 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2020-148731 · Sep 4, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220076916A1 · Mar 10, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,261,015