Optical system and method for measuring parameters of patterned structures in micro-electronic devices

    公开(公告)号:US11512943B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-29

    申请号:US16462247

    申请日:2016-11-23

    Applicant: NOVA LTD.

    Abstract: An optical system and method are presented for use in measurements on an upper surface of a layered sample when located in a measurement plane. The optical system is configured as a normal-incidence system having an illumination channel and a collection channel, and comprises an objective lens unit and a light propagation affecting device. The objective lens unit is accommodated in the illumination and collection channels, thereby defining a common optical path for propagation of illuminating light from the illumination channel toward an illuminating region in the measurement plane and for propagation of light returned from measurement plane to the collection channel. The light propagation affecting device comprises an apertured structure located in at least one of the illumination and collection channels, and configured to provide angular obscuration of light propagation path for blocking angular segments associated with light propagation from regions outside the illuminated region.

    Optical phase measurement system and method

    公开(公告)号:US11946875B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-04-02

    申请号:US17935930

    申请日:2022-09-27

    Applicant: NOVA LTD.

    Abstract: A method for use in optical measurements on patterned structures, the method including performing a number of optical measurements on a structure with a measurement spot configured to provide detection of light reflected from an illuminating spot at least partially covering at least two different regions of the structure, the measurements including detecting light reflected from the at least part of the at least two different regions within the measurement spot, the detected light including interference of at least two complex electric fields reflected from the at least part of the at least two different regions, and being therefore indicative of a phase response of the structure, carrying information about properties of the structure.

    Optical phase measurement system and method

    公开(公告)号:US11460415B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-10-04

    申请号:US16882784

    申请日:2020-05-26

    Applicant: NOVA LTD.

    Abstract: A method for use in optical measurements on patterned structures, the method including performing a number of optical measurements on a structure with a measurement spot configured to provide detection of light reflected from an illuminating spot at least partially covering at least two different regions of the structure, the measurements including detecting light reflected from the at least part of the at least two different regions within the measurement spot, the detected light including interference of at least two complex electric fields reflected from the at least part of the at least two different regions, and being therefore indicative of a phase response of the structure, carrying information about properties of the structure.

    OPTICAL PHASE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

    公开(公告)号:US20230130231A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-04-27

    申请号:US17935930

    申请日:2022-09-27

    Applicant: NOVA LTD.

    Abstract: A method for use in optical measurements on patterned structures, the method including performing a number of optical measurements on a structure with a measurement spot configured to provide detection of light reflected from an illuminating spot at least partially covering at least two different regions of the structure, the measurements including detecting light reflected from the at least part of the at least two different regions within the measurement spot, the detected light including interference of at least two complex electric fields reflected from the at least part of the at least two different regions, and being therefore indicative of a phase response of the structure, carrying information about properties of the structure.

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