Patent ID: 8169611
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of characterizing a sample comprising the steps of: A) providing an ellipsometer or polarimeter system; said ellipsometer or polarimeter system comprising a selection from the group consisting of: and a selection from the group consisting of: said ellipsometer or polarimeter system further comprising means for selecting between said THz and FTIR sources; b) a sample support; c) at least one detector system of electromagnetic radiation in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending higher than at least 1 THz; said ellipsometer or polarimeter system further comprising at least one odd-bounce polarization state rotation system present between said selected source and selected detector; said ellipsometer or polarimeter system further comprising, between said source and said detector, at least one selection from the group: such that in use a functional combination of selected source and selected detector is applied to cause electromagnetic radiation to impinge on and interact with a sample on said sample support, then enter said selected detector, to the end that said detector produces an output; B) selecting a source and detector; C) applying said selected source to cause substantially polarized electromagnetic radiation to impinge on and interact with said sample on said sample support, then proceed to and enter said selected detector, to the end that said detector provides output; said method further comprising: