Patent ID: 7468506
Filing Date: 2008-12-23
Classification: G01N,G03F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for scanning a surface, comprising: a beam generator which generates an array of beams; beam optics having an optical axis, which are adapted to focus the array of beams so as to irradiate a region of the surface intercepted by the optical axis, wherein each beam irradiates a portion of a respective sub-region within the region; a surface translator for moving at least one of the array and the surface so as to cause a surface velocity relative to the optical axis in a first direction; and an array scanner, which, during said moving, is adapted to scan each of the beams over the respective sub-region in a second direction, which is different from the first direction, said scanning defining an array of raster patterns, each raster pattern covering a respective sub-region and comprising rows that are perpendicular to said first direction; and said scanning comprising: