A part of the high-energy electrons which impact on the substrate is stopped and cannot be conducted at all or only very slowly toward ground, especially in the case of insulating substrates such as quartz. The substrate and respectively the resist charges itself negatively and the electron beam is deflected uncontrollably from the desired position during exposure.
In contrast to photolithography, the solution of e-beam lithography is practically unlimited by wavelength. Electrons of an energy of 25keV have a wave length of < 0,01 nm. The maximum resolution thus is crucially determined by the beam diameter.
A part of the high-energy electrons which impact on the substrate is stopped and cannot be conducted at all or only very slowly toward ground, especially in the case of insulating substrates such as quartz. The substrate and respectively the resist charges itself negatively and the electron beam is deflected uncontrollably from the desired position during exposure.