Systems and method for simultaneously inspecting a specimen with two distinct channels
US7782452B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/8825
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system is provided herein for inspecting a specimen. In one embodiment, the system may include a dual-channel microscope, two illuminators, each coupled for illuminating a different channel of the dual-channel microscope and two detectors, each coupled to a different channel of the dual-channel microscope for acquiring images of the specimen. Means are provided for separating the channels of the dual-channel microscope, so that the two detectors can acquire the images of the specimen at substantially the same time. In one embodiment, the channels of the dual-channel microscope may be spectrally separated by configuring the two illuminators, so that they produce light in two substantially non-overlapping spectral ranges. In another embodiment, the channels of the dual-channel microscope may be spatially separated by positioning the two detectors, so that the illumination light do not overlap and the fields of view of the two detectors do not overlap within a field of view of an objective lens included within the system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.