Patent ID: 9488924
Filing Date: 2016-11-08
CPC Classification: G03F,H01L

Claim Text:
1. A system, comprising: a structural support element arranged to support at least a part of an optical bench comprising an optical evaluation module; a mechanical stage configured to support an object being evaluated by the optical evaluation module and configured to move the object along a predetermined path in relation to the optical evaluation module; and a gas flow module positioned below the optical bench in a fixed relationship with the structural support and positioned between the structural support and the mechanical stage, the gas flow module including an aperture through which the optical module can illuminate the object and a plurality of gas flow openings surrounding the aperture and defining a coverage area that is larger than the object, wherein the gas flow module is configured to direct clean gas in the coverage area towards the object while the object is illuminated by the optical module; wherein the mechanical stage is further configured to move the object along a predetermined path in relation to the aperture and wherein the coverage area is positioned directly above at least a majority of the object at all times regardless of where the object is positioned along the predetermined path.