Patent ID: 6958814
Filing Date: 2005-10-25
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a property of a portion of a structure having a first layer and at least one underlying layer in contact with the first layer, the method comprising: heating a region of the first layer using power modulated at a frequency that is predetermined to be sufficiently low to ensure that temperature of said region varies substantially linearly relative to said modulated power; wherein the first layer comprises at least one crystalline phase from among a plurality of crystalline phases of a compound of a material comprised in said underlying layer, said crystalline phase depending on at least one process condition used in forming the first layer by annealing; and wherein the first layer partially absorbs and partially transmits the power; measuring a signal indicative of a change in reflectivity of said first layer due to a corresponding temperature change in the first layer caused by said heating; using said measured signal to determine an electrical conductive property of said first layer, said electrical conductive property depending on crystalline phase.