A multi-
beam scanning electron beam device (100) is described. The multi-bea scanning
electron beam device having a column, includes a multi-beam emitter (110) for emitting a plurality of
electron beams (12,13,14), at least one common electron beam optical element (130) having a common opening for at least two of the plurality of electron beams and being adapted for commonly influencing at least two of the plurality of electron beams, at least one individual electron beam optical element (140) for individually influencing the plurality of electron beams, a common objective lens
assembly (150) for focusing the plurality of electrons beams having a common excitation for focusing at least two of the plurality of electron beams, and adapted for focusing the plurality of electron beams onto a specimen (20) for generation of a plurality of
signal beams (121, 131,141), and a detection
assembly (170) for individually detecting each
signal beam on a corresponding detection element.