Patent ID: 6134012
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
A broadband spectroscopic ellipsometer for evaluating a sample comprising:a light generator that generates a beam of polychromatic light having a range of wavelengths and a known polarization;a rotating compensator disposed in the light path for inducing a phase retardation in the beam and wherein the range of wavelengths of light and the compensator are selected such that an effective phase retardation value is induced covering at least from 90 degrees to 180 degrees;a fixed analyzer positioned to interact with the light beam after the light beam interacts with the sample and the compensator;a dispersive element positioned to angularly disperse the beam as a function of wavelength; anda detector array for measuring said range of wavelengths of the light beam corresponding to said range of effective phase retardation values, said detector array having detector elements positioned such that different elements in the array measure different wavelengths simultaneously and with the output thereof being used to evaluate the sample.