Patent ID: 8841824
Filing Date: 2014-09-23
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A broadband light illuminator of an optical inspector for optically detecting defects of an inspection object, the broadband light illuminator comprising: an electrode-less chamber including a plasma area from which broadband light is generated; a first energy provider, at an exterior of the chamber, configured to provide first energy for ionizing gases in the chamber to form ionized gases in the chamber; a second energy provider, at the exterior of the chamber, configured to provide second energy to the ionized gases to form the plasma area at a central portion of the chamber; an elliptical reflector having a first focus at which the chamber is positioned and a second focus such that the broadband light is reflected from the elliptical reflector toward the second focus; and a lens unit focusing the reflected broadband light onto the inspection object to form an inspection light for detecting the defects of the inspection object; wherein the chamber is between the elliptical reflector and the second focus.