The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 24, 1990

Filed:

Jun. 30, 1989
Applicant:
Inventors:

Carl E Johnson, Merrimack, NH (US);

Jay L Ormsby, Salem, NH (US);

Eric T Chase, Andover, MA (US);

George S Quackenbos, Neburyport, MA (US);

Sergey V Broude, Acton, MA (US);

Abdu Bou dour, West Newton, MA (US);

Assignee:

QC Optics, Inc., Burlington, MA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
250572 ; 356431 ;
Abstract

An optical inspection system and method for detecting flaws on a diffractive surface such as a reticle or wafer, includes illuminating a surface to be inspected to generate a first scattered energy angular distribution in response to a flaw on the surface and a second scattered energy angular distribution in response to an unflawed surface; the first and second energy distributions are sensed and the minimum energy detection energy level is established; determining whether the minimum detected energy level is in a first or second predetermined energy range and indicating that no flaw is present when the minimum detected energy level is in the first range and a flaw is present when the minimum detected energy level is in the second range.


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