Patent ID: 6987832

Claim:
A system for measuring the characteristics of a thin film layer on the surface of a sample comprising: an X-ray source for generating a first probe beam of X-rays; a focusing element for focusing said first probe beam on the surface of said sample such that various X-rays within the focused probe beam create a range of angles of incidence with respect to said surface substantially simultaneously; a first detector for measuring the intensity of the various X-rays as a function of position within the first probe beam as reflected, with the positions of the various X-rays within said reflected first probe beam corresponding to specific angles of incidence with respect to said surface; a light source for generating a second probe beam directed to reflect off the sample; a second detector for monitoring the second probe beam after reflection from the sample and generating second output signals in response thereto, said second output signals being indicative of the tilt of the sample; and a processor for utilizing the second output signal to either adjust said tilt or to correct the X-ray intensity measurements to account for said tilt.