Patent ID: 7274450

Claim:
A sample sequestering means in an ellipsometer or polarimeter system which is suitable for analyzing samples using electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths which are adversely affected by typical atmospheric components, said ellipsometer or polarimeter system comprising, within a structural framework, a chamber means for encompassing a substantially enclosed space; said ellipsometer or polarimeter system in said substantially enclosed space comprising: a) source means for providing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation including wavelengths which are adversely affected by atmospheric components; b) polarization state setting means for setting a polarization state in at least a selected small range of wavelengths in a beam including; c) means which enables sequentially modifying a polarization state set by said polarization state setting means, through a plurality of polarization states; d) data detector means for receiving an electromagnetic beam which is caused to interact with a sample which is secured in place by said means for placing and maintaining a sample in a desired position and orientation; e) monochromator means, for selecting a small range of wavelengths in a beam of electromagnetic radiation including wavelengths which are adversely affected by atmospheric components, present between said source means for providing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation and said data detector means for receiving an electromagnetic beam which is caused to interact with a sample; said chamber means having functionally incorporated thereinto a subspace of said substantially enclosed space, in which subspace is a sample securing stage, said sample securing stage providing means for causing a sample to be oriented to face substantially upward during sample loading, and for placing and maintaining a sample in a desired position and orientation facing other than substantially upward during application of electromagnetic radiation thereto and data acquisition; said chamber further having means for entering a flow of purging gas from said substantially enclosed space generally into said subspace; said sample sequestering means being distinguished in that it provides means for allowing open atmosphere access to said sample securing stage in said subspace without said subspace being sequestered from said substantially enclosed space generally.