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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 04, 2009
Filed:
Oct. 22, 2007
Wei Zhao, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Stuart L. Friedman, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Wei Zhao, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Stuart L. Friedman, Palo Alto, CA (US);
KLA-Tencor Corporation, Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
An optical inspection system for inspecting a substrate. A beam source produces a light beam and directs it toward a surface of the substrate, thereby producing a reflected light beam that is received by an intensifier module. A photocathode receives the reflected light beam at a first surface and producing a shower of photoelectrons at a second opposing surface. An electrical field receives the shower of photoelectrons and accelerates the photoelectrons away from the second surface of the photocathode, thereby producing an enhanced output. A sensor receives the enhanced output from the intensifier module and produces electrical signals in response to the enhanced output. A controller receives the electrical signals and produces images of the substrate, based at least in part on the electrical signals. The controller also controls and coordinates the operation of the beam source, the intensifier module, and the sensor.