Patent ID: 7136162

Claim:
A system for aligning a sample comprising: a pivot mounted stage/sample which is rotatable about “X”, “Y” and optionally “Z” axes; a means for imparting translation motion to said pivot mounted stage/sample substantially along a perpendicular to a surface thereof in a “Z” direction; a first source of a first beam of electromagnetic radiation in functional combination with a multi-element alignment detector comprised of at least two detector elements closely surrounding a hole therethrough; and a second source of a second beam of electromagnetic radiation comprising a polarization state generator; and a data detector comprising a polarization state detector; said first source of a first beam of electromagnetic radiation being oriented so as to provide a first beam of electromagnetic radiation through said hole in said multi-element alignment detector; said pivot mounted stage/sample being positioned to receive said first beam of electromagnetic radiation substantially along a normal to a surface of said pivot mounted stage/sample via said hole in said multi-element alignment detector; said second source of electromagnetic radiation being positioned to provide a second beam of electromagnetic radiation and direct it to the surface of said sample at an oblique angle thereto, such that said second beam of electromagnetic radiation reflects from said surface of said pivot mounted stage/sample; said first and second electromagnetic beams being oriented with respect to one another at a known angle; said pivot mounted stage/sample being mounted to said means for imparting translation motion such that said pivot mounted stage/sample can be caused to move substantially along a perpendicular to the surface thereof in the “Z” direction, such that the reflected second beam of electromagnetic radiation enters said data detector.