Patent ID: 8253940

Claim:
A spectroscopic reflectometer, spectrophotometer, ellipsometer, polarimeter or scatterometer system comprising: an arc lamp source (S) of a beam of electromagnetic radiation comprising wavelengths between UV wavelengths and 3.5 microns; a monochromator (MON); a fiber optic (OF) capable of transmitting wavelengths from UV wavelengths up to 3.5 microns; a beam collimator (COL) comprising a combination of two off-axis concave spherical mirrors (M 1 ) (M 2 ) arranged such that total off-axis astigmatism caused within the beam collimator is substantially canceled over a range of at least 190 nm-5.5 microns, said mirrors (M 1 ) (M 2 ) being positioned so that their focal points are intermediate therebetween, and said beam collimator comprising provision for receiving an end of said fiber optic (OF) in use which positions said end of said fiber optic (OF) at a distance from said concave spherical mirror (M 1 ) equal to a focal length of said concave spherical mirror (M 1 ); said fiber optic (OF) providing a path for wavelengths between said UV wavelengths up to 3.5 microns provided by said arc-lamp source (S), between said monochromator (MON) and beam collimator (COL); said spectroscopic reflectometer, spectrophotometer, ellipsometer, polarimeter or scatterometer system also comprising a sample supporting stage; and at least one detector system of wavelengths between UV wavelengths and 3.5 microns; and such that the source of electromagnetic radiation provides a beam comprising wavelengths between UV wavelengths and 3.5 microns, said monochromater selects a wavelength and passes said wavelength, via said fiber optic, to said beam collimator which collimates said beam and directs said beam to interact with a sample on said sample supporting stage, then enter said detector system.