Patent ID: 6657216
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: G01B,G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring the surface profile of a sample, said apparatus comprising:at least one light source; means for producing a first light beam and a second light beam; an objective lens for focusing said first light beam at a first spot on the surface of said sample and for focusing said second light beam at a second spot on the surface of said sample, said first light beam and said second light beam being reflected by the surface of said sample; a detector leg receiving the reflected first light beam and the reflected second light beam, said detector leg comprising: at least one detector lens; at least a first pinhole in the optical path of at least one of said reflected first light beam and said reflected second light beam; at least a first detector for receiving at least one of said reflected first light beam and said reflected second light beam after passing through said first pinhole; and at least one driver coupled to at least one of the optical components consisting essentially of said objective lens, said at least one detector lens, and said at least a first pinhole, said at least one driver scans the component said driver is coupled to over a range of positions, wherein within said range said objective lens, said at least one detector lens, and said at least a first pinhole are confocal.