Patent ID: 7283234
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring deposition to, or removal of material from a sample surface, said sample comprising material which demonstrates a negative e1 at some wavelength range, comprising the steps of: a) providing an ellipsometer system comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation, a polarizer, a sample supporting stage, an analyzer and a detector and means for changing the angle-of-incidence at which the beam approaches said sample surface; b) placing a sample onto said sample supporting stage and by adjusting said polarizer, providing incident P-Polarized electromagnetic radiation to said sample surface, and while monitoring P-Polarized electromagnetic radiation reflected from said sample surface adjusting the angle-of-incidence until, at the wavelength being utilized surface plasmon resonance occurs as evidenced by a large change in intensity or a determined ellipsometric PSI and/or DELTA, thereby indicating that the surface plasmon resonance angle-of-incidence has been identified; c) while material deposits onto or is removed from said sample surface, monitoring change in the ellipsometric PSI and/or DELTA which results from the P-Polarized electromagnetic radiation; d) said method further comprising providing incident non-P-Polarized electromagnetic radiation at the SPR Resonance angle-of-incidence, or electromagnetic radiation of any polarization other than said SPR resonance angle-of-incidence, said electromagnetic radiation being of any wavelength, onto said sample surface such that it reflects into the same, or another detector, and determining a conventional ellipsometric PSI and/or DELTA therefrom; and interpreting changes in said ellipsometric PSI's and/or DELTA's to indicate deposition of, or removal of material from said sample surface.