Patent ID: 8537363
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for characterizing a sample, comprising: providing a structure that is disposed over a surface of the sample at a predetermined distance to form an optical cavity having a width, where the sample comprises at least one metal film deposited onto a substrate and the structure comprises at least one partially reflective film deposited on a surface of the structure; creating a propagating strain pulse within the sample by applying a first pulse of first electromagnetic radiation through the structure to the surface of the sample; applying a second pulse of second electromagnetic radiation through the structure to the surface of the sample so as to intercept the propagating strain pulse, wherein the width of the optical cavity is based at least in part on a wavelength of the second electromagnetic radiation; detecting at least one optical property of a reflection of the second pulse from the sample; and associating the at least one optical property of the reflection with a characteristic of the sample.