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:
Mar. 27, 2018

Filed:

Apr. 21, 2015
Applicant:

Kla-tencor Corporation, Milpitas, CA (US);

Inventors:

Mark S. Wang, San Ramon, CA (US);

Chris Kirk, Buckinghamshire, GB;

Andrey Kharisov, Saratoga, CA (US);

Assignee:

KLA-Tencor Corporation, Milpitas, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 21/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/88 (2006.01); G02B 21/00 (2006.01); G02B 21/36 (2006.01); G01N 21/95 (2006.01); H01L 21/66 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 21/8851 (2013.01); G01N 21/9501 (2013.01); G02B 21/0028 (2013.01); G02B 21/0032 (2013.01); G02B 21/0072 (2013.01); G02B 21/365 (2013.01); G01N 2201/068 (2013.01); G01N 2201/10 (2013.01); G01N 2201/121 (2013.01); H01L 22/12 (2013.01);
Abstract

A line scan wafer inspection system includes a confocal slit aperture filter to remove sidelobes and enhance resolution in the scanning direction. A position detector associated with the slit aperture filter monitors and corrects illumination line image positions relative to the slit aperture to keep image position variations within tolerable limits. Each detector measures a line position and then uses the line position signal to adjust optical, mechanical, and electronic components in the collection path in a feedback loop. The feedback loop may be employed in a runtime calibration process or during inspection to enhance stability.


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