Patent ID: 7529338

Claim:
An inspection apparatus, comprising: an X-ray source; an X-ray detector wherein the X-ray source and X-ray detector are positioned relative to each other such that a sample can be placed there between and such that X-rays emitted from the X-ray source passing through the sample can be detected by the X-ray detector; a positioning table comprising a stage configured to support a sample, the stage being positionable in an xy plane between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector for inspecting the sample; a housing enclosing the X-ray source, the X-ray detector, and the stage when the stage is positioned for inspecting a sample; a first access door connected to the housing, the first access door configured to be movable to an open position for loading and unloading the stage and to a closed position for inspecting the sample; and a first access aperture disposed in the housing, wherein the size of the first access door corresponds to the size of the first access aperture to prevent X-rays from exiting the housing through the first access aperture, wherein the stage is further positionable so as to extend through the first access aperture to a position exterior to the housing such that the entire stage can be moved to a position outside of the housing for loading and unloading a sample.