Patent · US Active

Surface inspection apparatus, polarization illuminating device and light-receiving device

US7307725B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 13, 2005
Grant dateDec 11, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2201/0636
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surface inspection apparatus includes: a light source unit that emits a divergent light flux of predetermined linearly polarized light to be used to illuminate a test substrate; a first optical member that allows the divergent light flux of the predetermined linearly polarized light to enter therein with a predetermined angle of incidence and then guides a light flux to the test substrate; a second optical member that allows a light flux from the test substrate to enter therein, emits a convergent light flux thereof with a predetermined angle of emergence and forms an image at a specific surface; an extraction unit that extracts linearly polarized light in the convergent light flux from the second optical member, which is perpendicular to the predetermined linearly polarized light; a light-receiving unit that receives an image of the test substrate formed via the second optical member and the extraction unit; and at least one polarization correcting member disposed within a light path extending between the light source unit and the light-receiving unit, which corrects a disruption of a polarization plane attributable to the first optical member and the second optical member.

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