ANALYSIS OF BACKSCATTERED ELECTRON SIGNALS FOR X-RAY MASK INSPECTION.

A rapid and automated inspection system is a necessity for the detection of defects in x-ray and optical lithography masks. The design of an electron-beam mask inspection system requires a complete understanding of the backscattered electron signal from the various defects which will be encountered. A Monte Carlo simulation program has been used to study the effects of electron-beam size, detector placement, defect type, electron-beam voltage, and absorber thickness on the back-scattered electron signal.