Microtherm LLC

Nanometrics Inc.

Patrick D Kinney

Nagaraja P Rao

An optical inspection module detects defects on an active surface of a substrate in an integrated process tool system. The optical inspection module includes an enclosure, a substrate holder, a light source, a light beam path, a lens and a photodetector array. The light source has a light beam port. The light beam path extends from the light beam port to the substrate holder and has a grazing angle of incidence with respect to the active surface of the substrate. The light beam path illuminates substantially the entire active surface. The lens is oriented to collect non-secularly reflected light scattered from the light beam path by any defects on the active surface. The photodetector array has a plurality of pixels which are positioned within a focal plane of the lens. Each pixel corresponds to an area on the active surface, and the plurality of pixels together form a field of view that covers substantially the entire active surface.

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Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Patrick D Kinney