Patent ID: 8665423
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of investigating a non-planar sample comprising: providing at least one emitter for irradiating the non-planar sample; irradiating the sample with radiation having at least one frequency in the range from 25 GHz to 100 THz at a plurality of points on a non-planar surface of the sample, the plurality of points comprising a first point and a second point, wherein the first point is irradiated by modifying the relative orientation and positioning of the emitter and the sample and by irradiating the first point when the emitter and the sample are orientated and positioned such that the radiation is incident upon the sample at a predetermined angle of incidence to the surface of the sample at the first point and the emitter is positioned at a predetermined distance with respect to the first point, and the second point is irradiated by modifying the relative orientation and positioning of the emitter and the sample, and irradiating the second point when the emitter and the sample are orientated and positioned such that the radiation is incident upon the sample at the predetermined angle of incidence to the surface of the sample at the second point and the emitter is positioned at the predetermined distance with respect to the second point; detecting radiation reflected from the sample, wherein said predetermined angle of incidence to the surface of the sample and said predetermined distance are selected to maximize the amplitude and/or bandwidth of the detected reflected radiation.