Patent ID: 7505134
Filing Date: 2009-03-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of aligning an ellipsometer system which comprises: an ellipsometer source of a beam of electromagnetic radiation; a stage for supporting a sample and having means for effecting tip/tilt and translation thereof; a data detector of electromagnetic radiation; said method comprising: a) placing an alignment sample on said stage; b) generally orienting said ellipsometer source of a beam of electromagnetic radiation so that it directs a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a first location of said alignment sample at an oblique angle, which beam then reflects from said alignment sample and enters said data detector so that it provides an output signal; performing steps: with the result being that the stage is oriented in tip/tilt so that no matter from what location on said alignment sample said beam is caused to reflect, the output from said data detector remains substantially the same; said method then optionally further comprising: d) while monitoring the data detector output signal moving the location and orientation thereof until said output signal therefrom is substantially maximized.