Automatic beam optimization method for scanning electron microscopy based on electron beam Kernel estimation

Autor: Yunje Cho, Junghee Cho, Jonghyeok Park, Jeonghyun Wang, Seunggyo Jeong, Jubok Lee, Yun Hwang, Jiwoong Kim, Jeongwoo Yu, Heesu Chung, Hyenok Park, Subong Shon, Taeyong Jo, Myungjun Lee, Kwangrak Kim
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Communications Engineering, Vol 3, Iss 1, Pp 1-15 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2731-3395
DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00230-3
Popis: Abstract Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) leverages electron wavelengths for nanoscale imaging, necessitating precise parameter adjustments like focus, stigmator, and aperture alignment. However, traditional methods depend on skilled personnel and are time-consuming. Existing auto-focus and auto-stigmation techniques face challenges due to interdependent nature of these parameters and sample diversity. We propose a beam kernel estimation method to independently optimize SEM parameters, regardless of sample variations. Our approach untangles parameter influences, enabling concurrent optimization of focus, stigmator x, y, and aperture-align x, y. It achieves robust performance, with average errors of 1.00 μm for focus, 0.30% for stigmators, and 0.79% for aperture alignment, surpassing sharpness-based approach with its average errors of 6.42 μm for focus and 2.32% for stigmators and lacking in aperture-align capabilities. Our approach addresses SEM parameter interplay via blind deconvolution, facilitating rapid and automated optimization, thereby enhancing precision, efficiency, and applicability across scientific and industrial domains.
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