Patent ID: 11899375
Assignee: KLA CORPORATION
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  H | IPC G  H

Claim 53:
54. A multi-column metrology method comprising:
providing illumination to two or more measurement columns, wherein the two or more measurement columns are configured to simultaneously probe two or more measurement regions on a sample including a plurality of metrology targets, wherein a particular measurement column of the two or more measurement columns comprises:
an illumination sub-system configured to direct illumination from at least one of one or more illumination sources to the sample;
a collection sub-system including a collection lens configured to collect measurement signals from the sample and direct the measurement signals to one or more detectors; and
a column-positioning sub-system configured to adjust a position of the collection lens within a lateral plane parallel to a sample plane for a measurement, wherein a measurement region of the particular measurement column is defined by a field of view of the collection lens and a range of the column-positioning sub-system in the lateral plane;
directing the illumination light to the metrology targets within measurement fields of view of the two or more measurement columns;
collecting multiplexed measurement signals by the two or more measurement columns;
detecting the multiplexed measurement signals on the one or more detectors; and
generating metrology data for the metrology targets based on the detected measurement signals.