Patent ID: 7019850
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: G01B,G01N

Abstract:
1. Method of optical measurements in multi-layer structures to determine the properties of at least some of the layers, the method comprising: (i) patterning the structure by removing layer materials within a measurement site of the structure from the top layer to the lowermost layer of interest; (ii) applying optical measurements to measurement areas of said at least some of the layers, with the layer materials above the area under measurement being removed, thereby obtaining measured data portions for said at least some of the layers, respectively; (iii) calculating the properties of each of said at least some layers, by analyzing the measured data portion of the lowermost layer, and then sequentially interpreting the measured data portions of all the other layers from said at least some layers towards the uppermost layer, while utilizing for each layer the calculation results of the one or more underlying layers.