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Nova

600i

Metrology & InspectionNova 600i family
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Nova600i
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Power

200 V to 30 kV[2]

Optics

1.1 nm @ 15 kV; 2.5 nm @ 1 kV[2]

What it is

The FEI Nova 600i is a DualBeam system that combines a focused ion beam (FIB) column with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (SEM). The system is designed for nanoscale prototyping, machining, characterization, and analysis of structures below 100 nanometers. The Nova 600i is the successor to the Nova 600 NanoLab. The tool integrates advanced beam chemistries for deposition and etch, and includes a PC-controlled nanometer-resolution manipulator. The system is used for TEM sample preparation, circuit edit, defect analysis, and nanofabrication.[1][3][2]

How it works

The Nova 600i uses a Sidewinder ion column with a gallium liquid metal ion source for the FIB, and a Sirion Schottky thermal field emitter for the SEM. The electron and ion columns are arranged at an angle of 52 degrees, meeting at a fixed coincidence point at a working distance of 5 mm. The system includes an in-lens detector for secondary and backscattered electrons, an Everhardt‑Thornley secondary electron detector, and an optional STEM detector. The instrument features a five-axis motorized stage with 150 mm X‑Y travel, piezo-driven, and a tilt range from -10 to +60 degrees. The vacuum system consists of one turbomolecular pump, one dry pump, and three ion getter pumps.[2]

The Nova 600i uses a gas injection system (GIS) capable of supporting up to four injectors for deposition of materials such as platinum, tungsten, and silicon dioxide, as well as for selective etching. The system operates in a dual-beam geometry that allows simultaneous patterning and imaging (SPI) for real-time monitoring of the milling process. The patterning engine is a 16‑bit digital pattern generator for creating complex three‑dimensional shapes.[2]

Where it fits in the process flow

Dual‑beam FIB‑SEM systems such as the Nova 600i are used in semiconductor fabrication for failure analysis, defect review, circuit edit, and TEM lamella preparation. The system can be employed for cross‑sectioning and imaging of structures, as well as for preparing thin samples for transmission electron microscopy. The instrument also supports nanofabrication tasks such as nanomilling, ion‑beam deposition, and prototyping of MEMS and photonic devices.[1][4][3][2]

What can it run?

Process applications and technology nodes documented for this tool.

  • Focused ion beam processing
  • Scanning electron microscopy
  • TEM sample preparation

What do the numbers mean?

Power & electrical2

Electron beam accelerating voltage
200 V to 30 kV[2]
Accurate?
Ion beam accelerating voltage
500 V to 30 kV[2]
Accurate?

Gas & chemistry2

Gas injection
Multiple gas injector system for deposition of Pt and SiO₂[1]
Accurate?
Gas injection system
Up to 5 injectors; common chemistries include Pt, W, C, and enhanced etch[2]
Accurate?

Optics & imaging9

Manipulator
PC-controlled nanometer-resolution manipulator[1]
Accurate?
Electron beam resolution @ optimum WD
1.1 nm @ 15 kV; 2.5 nm @ 1 kV[2]
Accurate?
Electron beam resolution @ coincident point
1.5 nm @ 15 kV; 2.0 nm @ 5 kV[2]
Accurate?
Ion beam resolution @ coincident point
7.0 nm @ 30 kV (5.0 nm achievable)[2]
Accurate?
Electron beam probe current
≤ 20 nA in 21 steps[2]
Accurate?
Ion beam probe current
1.5 pA to 20 nA (15 position aperture strip)[2]
Accurate?
Detectors
In-lens TLD (SE and BSE), Everhardt Thornley SED, IR camera[2]
Accurate?
Column angle
52° between electron and ion columns[2]
Accurate?
Manipulator
Omniprobe 200 (PC-controlled nanometer-resolution)[3]
Accurate?

Control & software1

Operating system
Windows XP SP2[2]
Accurate?

Configuration & options7

Model
Nova 600i Dual Beam[1]
Accurate?
OEM
FEI[1]
Accurate?
Category
Focused Ion Beam (FIB)-SEM[1]
Accurate?
Beam configuration
Dual-beam system combining Ga FIB with FESEM (thermal field emitter)[1]
Accurate?
Capability
TEM sample preparation capability[1]
Accurate?
Stage travel (X,Y)
150 mm, piezo-driven[2]
Accurate?
Maximum sample diameter
150 mm[2]
Accurate?
Interested in this tool?
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What does it need to run?

Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.

  • Gas injectionMultiple gas injector system for deposition of Pt and SiO₂[1]
  • Electron beam accelerating voltage200 V to 30 kV[2]
  • Ion beam accelerating voltage500 V to 30 kV[2]
  • Gas injection systemUp to 5 injectors; common chemistries include Pt, W, C, and enhanced etch[2]

Where are the manuals?

Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.

Not publicly documented

Field notes

No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.

Frequently asked questions

What is the electron beam resolution of the Nova 600i?

The electron beam resolution is 1.1 nm at 15 kV at optimum working distance, and 2.5 nm at 1 kV. At the coincidence point (5 mm WD), the resolution is 1.5 nm at 15 kV and 2.0 nm at 5 kV.[2]

What is the ion beam resolution of the Nova 600i?

The ion beam resolution at the coincidence point is 7.0 nm at 30 kV, with 5.0 nm achievable.[2]

What types of sources are used for the electron and ion columns?

The electron column uses a Schottky thermal field emitter. The ion column uses a gallium liquid metal ion source.[2]

What is the maximum sample size the Nova 600i can handle?

The maximum sample diameter is 150 mm with full rotation, and the maximum sample thickness is 20 mm.[2]

What detectors are standard on the Nova 600i?

Standard detectors include an in-lens detector (TLD) for secondary and backscattered electrons, an Everhardt‑Thornley secondary electron detector, and an IR camera for viewing. A CDEM detector for secondary electron and secondary ion imaging is optional, as is a STEM detector.[2]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the 600i are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the 600i are on record.

    Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement

  • No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the 600i are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the 600i are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the 600i are on record.

    Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician

  • The process node or technology generation of the 600i is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.

Sources & citations

Sources (6)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]colorado.educolorado.educolorado.edu
  2. [2]yumpu.comyumpu.comyumpu.com
  3. [3]tssmicroscopy.comtssmicroscopy.comtssmicroscopy.com
  4. [4]https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.00726arxiv.orgarxiv.org
  5. [5]Resource Scheduler & Rates | Colorado Shared Instrumentation in Nanofabrication and Characterization (COSINC) | University of Colorado Bouldercolorado.educolorado.edu
  6. [6]Resource Scheduler & Rates | Colorado Shared Instrumentation in Nanofabrication and Characterization (COSINC) | University of Colorado Bouldercolorado.educolorado.edu
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Last updated Aug 13, 2026.

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