Abstract:
Illumination subsystems of a metrology or inspection system, metrology systems, inspection systems, and methods for illuminating a specimen for metrology measurements or for inspection are provided. One illumination subsystem includes a light source configured to generate coherent pulses of light and a dispersive element positioned in the path of the coherent pulses of light, which is configured to reduce coherence of the pulses of light by mixing spatial and temporal characteristics of light distribution in the pulses of light. The illumination subsystem also includes an electro-optic modulator positioned in the path of the pulses of light exiting the dispersive element and which is configured to reduce the coherence of the pulses of light by temporally modulating the light distribution in the pulses of light. The illumination subsystem is configured to direct the pulses of light from the electro-optic modulator to a specimen.
Abstract:
Laser-induced damage in an optical material can be mitigated by creating conditions at which light absorption is minimized. Specifically, electrons populating defect energy levels of a band gap in an optical material can be promoted to the conduction band—a process commonly referred to as bleaching. Such bleaching can be accomplished using a predetermined wavelength that ensures minimum energy deposition into the material, ideally promoting electron to just inside the conduction band. In some cases phonon (i.e. thermal) excitation can also be used to achieve higher depopulation rates. In one embodiment, a bleaching light beam having a wavelength longer than that of the laser beam can be combined with the laser beam to depopulate the defect energy levels in the band gap. The bleaching light beam can be propagated in the same direction or intersect the laser beam.
Abstract:
A mode-locked laser system operable at low temperature can include an annealed, frequency-conversion crystal and a housing to maintain an annealed condition of the crystal during standard operation at the low temperature. In one embodiment, the crystal can have an increased length. First beam shaping optics can be configured to focus a beam from a light source to an elliptical cross section at a beam waist located in or proximate to the crystal. A harmonic separation block can divide an output from the crystal into beams of different frequencies separated in space. In one embodiment, the mode-locked laser system can further include second beam shaping optics configured to convert an elliptical cross section of the desired frequency beam into a beam with a desired aspect ratio, such as a circular cross section.
Abstract:
Illumination subsystems of a metrology system, metrology systems, and methods for illuminating a specimen for metrology measurements are provided. One illumination subsystem includes a light source configured to generate coherent pulses of light and a dispersive element positioned in the path of the coherent pulses of light, which is configured to reduce coherence of the pulses of light by mixing spatial and temporal characteristics of light distribution in the pulses of light. The illumination subsystem also includes an electro-optic modulator positioned in the path of the pulses of light exiting the dispersive element and which is configured to reduce the coherence of the pulses of light by temporally modulating the light distribution in the pulses of light. The illumination subsystem is configured to direct the pulses of light from the electro-optic modulator to a specimen positioned in the metrology system.
Abstract:
A mode-locked laser system operable at low temperature can include an annealed, frequency-conversion crystal and a housing to maintain an annealed condition of the crystal during standard operation at the low temperature. In one embodiment, the crystal can have an increased length. First beam shaping optics can be configured to focus a beam from a light source to an elliptical cross section at a beam waist located in or proximate to the crystal. A harmonic separation block can divide an output from the crystal into beams of different frequencies separated in space. In one embodiment, the mode-locked laser system can further include second beam shaping optics configured to convert an elliptical cross section of the desired frequency beam into a beam with a desired aspect ratio, such as a circular cross section.
Abstract:
Illumination subsystems of a metrology system, metrology systems, and methods for illuminating a specimen for metrology measurements are provided.
Abstract:
Illumination subsystems of a metrology or inspection system, metrology systems, inspection systems, and methods for illuminating a specimen for metrology measurements or for inspection are provided.