Patent ID: 6982792
Filing Date: 2006-01-03
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. An ellipsometer system for analyzing sample systems using electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the ultraviolet wavelength range, said ellipsometer system comprising a chamber means which encompasses a substantially enclosed space, functionally within said substantially enclosed space there being present: a) source means for providing of a beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation; b) polarization state setting means for setting a polarization state in at least a selected small range of wavelengths in a beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation; c) means which enables sequentially modifying a polarization state set by said polarization state setting means, through a plurality of polarization states; d) alignment detector means comprising a plurality of detector elements surrounding a substantially centrally located hole through which a beam of electromagnetic radiation can pass, said substantially centrally located hole having a diameter sufficiently large such that more intensity of a beam passes therethrough than does through a 1.27 mm diameter hole; e) a means for placing and maintaining a sample system in a desired position and orientation, said means for placing and maintaining a sample system in a desired position and orientation being positioned in a subspace of said substantially enclosed space which can be sequestered by a subspace sequestering means; f) data detector means for receiving an electromagnetic beam which is caused to interact with a sample system which is secured in place by said means for placing and maintaining a sample system in a desired position and orientation; and g) computer means for analyzing data provided by said data detector means for receiving an electromagnetic beam after it interacts with said sample system; h) monochromator means, for selecting a small range of wavelengths in a beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation, present between said source means for providing of a beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation and said data detector means for receiving an electromagnetic beam which is caused to interact with a sample system; said chamber means having functionally affixed thereto means for causing said subspace sequestering means to become configured so as to sequester a sample system in a subspace of said substantially enclosed space, or to open and expose said sample system generally to the substantially enclosed space, and means for accessing said means for placing and maintaining a sample system in a desired position and orientation; said chamber further having means having functionally affixed thereto means for entering purging gas into said substantially enclosed space generally, and to a subspace sequestered by said subspace sequestering means independently when it is caused to be sequestered from said substantially enclosed space; such that in use a sample system is caused to be affixed to said means for placing and maintaining a sample system in a desired position and orientation via said means for accessing said means for placing and maintaining a sample system in a desired position and orientation, and purging gas is caused to be entered into said substantially enclosed space via said means for entering purging gas into said substantially enclosed space generally, and/or to a subspace sequestered by said subspace sequestering means independently when it is caused to be sequestered from said substantially enclosed space, and said source means for providing of a beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation is caused to provide a bean including ultraviolet wavelength, and said polarization state setting means for setting a polarization state in a selected small range of wavelengths in a beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation is caused to impose a polarization state thereupon and said beam of ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation is caused to pass through said hole in said alignment detector means comprising a plurality of detector elements surrounding a substantially centrally located holes and said monochromator means for selecting a small range of wavelengths in said beam of ultraviolet wavelength range; and such that said means for placing and maintaining a sample system in a desired position and orientation is caused to orient said sample system so that said beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation is caused to reflect essentially directly back from said sample system such that the signals from each of the alignment detector means of said plurality of detector elements provide optimum signal output, and then, without removing said alignment detector means of said plurality of detector elements, causing said means for placing and maintaining a sample system in a desired position and orientation is caused to reorient said sample system such that said beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation impinges thereupon at a known angle of incidence; and such that said beam including ultraviolet wavelength range electromagnetic radiation interacts with said sample system and then enters said data detector.