Patent ID: 6686995
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
An optical inspection system for detecting anomalies on a sample, comprising:a light source for directing an incident light beam having a wavelength between about 340 nanometers and 400 nanometers onto a sample; a programmable spatial filter (PSF) arranged in a path of light emanating from the sample in response to the incident light beam, wherein the PSF is configurable to inhibit or transmit one or more selected portions of the emanating light, wherein the selected portions of the emanating light may be selected from a plurality of emanating light portions arranged along a first direction, as well as in a second direction, the first direction differing from the second direction, wherein the PSF is formed from UV compatible materials so as to substantially transmit or inhibit UV light; a detector arranged within the path of the emanating light so that the second portion of the emanating light that is transmitted by the PSF impinges on the detector to thereby form an image of at least a portion of the sample; and an analyzer for receiving the image and determining whether there are any defects present on the sample portion by analyzing the received image.