Patent ID: 6466309
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: B82Y,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for performing chemical and topographical analysis of a sample comprising:a probe proximal to said sample; a scanner coupled to said sample or probe for scanning said probe relative to said sample; a pulsed laser optically coupled to said probe; a light collector receiving light from said sample; an optical spectrometer optically coupled to said light collector; a controller coupled to said scanner, laser and spectrometer for controlling the operation of said scanner, laser and spectrometer, said probe and scanner being used for topographical profiling said sample, said probe also being used for laser radiation delivery to said sample for generating a plasma plume from said sample; optical emission from said plasma plume being collected by said light collector and delivered to said optical spectrometer, analysis of emission spectrum by said optical spectrometer allowing for identification of chemical composition of said sample at user selected sites.