Patent ID: 7619752

Claim:
A system for orienting a surface of a stage which optionally has a sample having a surface supported thereupon, in “X”-“Y”-“Z” coordinate space, comprising: a) a stage for supporting a sample such that said surface of said stage or sample is oriented substantially in an “X”-“Y” plane and faces substantially in a “Z” axis direction; b) a source of a beam of electromagnetic radiation oriented to direct a beam of electromagnetic radiation to impinge on said surface of said stage or sample placed upon said stage, at an oblique angle of incidence oriented substantially in a “Y”-“Z” plane; c) a specular beam detector of a specularly reflected electromagnetic beam which results from said oblique angle of incidence beam specularly reflecting from said surface of said stage or sample in said substantially “Y”-“Z” plane; d) a scattered beam detector comprising means for receiving scattered reflected electromagnetic radiation which results from said oblique angle of incidence beam non-specularly reflecting from said surface of said stage or sample; e) first rotation effecting means for causing said stage to rotate substantially about at least one of said “X” and “Y” axis; f) said stage and first rotation effecting means for causing said stage to rotate substantially about at least one of said “X” or “Y” axis being supported on translation means for moving said stage substantially in at least one of said “X” and “Y” directions; g) said translation means for moving said stage substantially in said at least one of said “X” and “Y” direction being supported on a second rotation effecting means for causing said stage to rotate substantially about at least one of said “X” or “Y” axis; and h) said system further comprising means for changing the relative distance between: said source of electromagnetic radiation oriented to cause a beam of electromagnetic radiation to impinge on a surface of said stage or a sample placed on said stage, at an oblique angle of incidence, and said stage; along the substantially “Z” axis.