Patent ID: 6618145
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A bistatic spectropolarimetric reflectometer system for measuring polarimetric reflection properties of a material over broad spectral wavelength regions, comprising:(a) a radiation source for generating radiation over a predetermined broad spectral range from the ultraviolet to the infrared and directing a beam of said radiation along an optical axis; (b) an optical detector; (c) a rotatable platform for supporting a sample of material substantially centrally thereon, and means operatively connected to said platform for selectively rotating said platform; (d) first set of polarization elements defining a polarization state generator and including a rotatable linear polarizer followed by a rotatable quarter wave retarder, said polarization state generator disposed along said optical axis for directing said beam onto the sample; (e) a second set of polarization elements defining a polarization state analyzer and including a rotatable quarter wave retarder followed by a rotatable linear polarizer, said polarization state analyzer disposed along said optical axis for directing the entire spectral range of said beam reflected from the sample onto said detector; and (f) wherein said detector includes means for processing said beam and providing data output including the Mueller matrix of the sample.