Patent ID: 7277171

Claim:
A system selected from the group consisting of: reflectometer; rotating analyzer ellipsometer; rotating polarizer ellipsometer; rotating compensator ellipsometer; modulation element ellipsometer; Mueller Matrix measuring system; functionally mounted to a two dimension location means for positioning said selected system at points in a two dimensional plane which is, in use, oriented substantially parallel to but offset from, the plane of a surface of a sample; said selected system comprising on-board: source means for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and data detector means for detecting electromagnetic radiation; such that in use said selected system is located near the surface of said sample and a beam of electromagnetic radiation provided by said source means is caused to interact therewith and enter said data detector means; said selected system further comprising means for adjusting the location thereof at desired third dimension offset locations with respect to points in said plane of the surface of said sample; and said selected system further comprising means for controlling the location of the source means and data detector means in said two dimension plane; said selected system further comprising at least one electromagnetic beam intercepting angle-of-incidence changing system comprising elements which are easily functionally entered into the locus of the electromagnetic beam on both sides of said sample system, which at least one electromagnetic beam intercepting angle-of-incidence changing system serves to direct said electromagnetic beam onto substantially the same spot on the sample system as is the case where the said at least one electromagnetic beam intercepting angle-of-incidence changing system is not functionally present, but at an angle-of-incidence which is different than that when said at least one electromagnetic beam intercepting angle-of-incidence changing system is not functionally present, said at least one electromagnetic beam intercepting angle-of-incidence changing system not effecting, or requiring change of, the locus of the electromagnetic beams outside said at least one electromagnetic beam intercepting angle-of-incidence changing system, on either side of said means for supporting a sample system.