Patent · US Expired

Sample characteristic analysis utilizing multi wavelength and multi angle polarization and magnitude change detection

US5596406A · kind A · utility

145Cited by
18References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 15, 1995
Grant dateJan 21, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 15, 2015

Classification

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

Abstract

An optical measurement device is disclosed for evaluating the parameters of a sample. The device includes a polychromatic source for generating a probe beam. The probe beam is focused on the sample surface. Individual rays within the reflected probe beam are simultaneously analyzed as a function of the position within the beam to provide information at multiple wavelengths. A filter, dispersion element and a two-dimensional photodetector array may be used so that the beam may be simultaneously analyzed at multiple angles of incidence and at multiple wavelengths. A variable image filter is also disclosed which allows a selection to be made as to the size of the area of the sample to be evaluated.

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