Patent · US Expired

Ellipsometric method and apparatus

US4647207A · kind A · utility

109Cited by
3References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 1985
Grant dateMar 3, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 24, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N21/211
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An ellipsometric method and apparatus for studying physical properties of a testpiece provides that during the measuring operation the angular positions of a polarizing means and an analyzing means disposed upstream and downstream of the testpiece remain fixed. Two or more discrete, mutually different predetermined states of polarization of the radiation employed are produced between the polarizing means and the testpiece and/or between the testpiece and the analyzing means, by polarization modulating elements which are disposed in the path of the radiation. In each discrete state of polarization, the intensity of the radiation which is polarized in the analyzer is measured and evaluated for determining the polarization properties of the testpiece in a computer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.