摘要:
This disclosure includes an imaging system that is configured to image in parallel multiple focal planes in a sample uniquely onto its corresponding detector while simultaneously reducing blur on adjacent image planes. For example, the focal planes can be staggered such that fluorescence detected by a detector for one of the focal planes is not detected, or is detected with significantly reduced intensity, by a detector for another focal plane. This enables the imaging system to increase the volumetric image acquisition rate without requiring a stronger fluorescence signal. Additionally or alternatively, the imaging system may be operated at a slower volumetric image acquisition rate (e.g., that of a conventional microscope) while providing longer exposure times with lower excitation power. This may reduce or delay photo-bleaching (e.g., a photochemical alteration of the dye that causes it to no longer be able to fluoresce), thereby extending the useful life of the sample.
摘要:
A security ink is provided which includes a liquid medium having a plurality of quantum dots disposed therein. Upon excitation with a suitable light source, the ink exhibits a quantum yield greater than 30%, and a photoluminescence which has a lifetime of more than 40 nanoseconds and which varies by at least 5% across the emission spectrum of the quantum dots. Also disclosed are apparatuses for using the same for anti-counterfeit or authentication purposes, which uniquely identifying the presence of photoluminescent materials by spectrally resolving their photoluminescence lifetime.
摘要:
Provided is a method that utilises linear dichroism (LD) to identify the presence of a target molecule (L) in a sample. The method comprises providing an alignable scaffold (20), preferably biomolecular fibre M13, comprising a first binding region and having a high aspect ratio of greater than 5:1, providing a substrate (e.g. a substantially spherical non-alignable moiety (12)) comprising a second binding region which binds the first binding region in the absence of the target molecule in such a way that the LD signal of the alignable scaffold is reduced or minimised relative to the unbound and aligned scaffold, wherein one of the first and second binding regions is a receptor capable of binding the target molecule, exposing the substrate-bound scaffold to the sample such that binding of the target molecule, if present, to the receptor releases the scaffold from the substrate, and measuring the LD signal of the scaffold before and after exposure to the sample. A reagent and an apparatus for use in the method are also provided. A reagent (10) and an apparatus for use in the method are also disclosed.
摘要:
Methods and systems for generating inspection results for a specimen with an adaptive nuisance filter are provided. One method includes selecting a portion of events detected during inspection of a specimen having values for at least one feature of the events that are closer to at least one value of at least one parameter of the nuisance filter than the values for at least one feature of another portion of the events. The method also includes acquiring output of an output acquisition subsystem for the sample of events, classifying the events in the sample based on the acquired output, and determining if one or more parameters of the nuisance filter should be modified based on results of the classifying. The nuisance filter or the modified nuisance filter can then be applied to results of the inspection of the specimen to generate final inspection results for the specimen.
摘要:
Methods and systems for solving measurement models of complex device structures with reduced computational effort and memory requirements are presented. The computational efficiency of electromagnetic simulation algorithms based on truncated spatial harmonic series is improved for periodic targets that exhibit a fundamental spatial period and one or more approximate periods that are integer fractions of the fundamental spatial period. Spatial harmonics are classified according to each distinct period of the target exhibiting multiple periodicity. A distinct truncation order is selected for each group of spatial harmonics. This approach produces optimal, sparse truncation order sampling patterns, and ensures that only harmonics with significant contributions to the approximation of the target are selected for computation. Metrology systems employing these techniques are configured to measure process parameters and structural and material characteristics associated with different semiconductor fabrication processes.
摘要:
Apparatus features a sample tube adapter made of conductive material, having a first part to contain and touch a sample tube having a sample therein, and a second part to provide a thermal path for heat transfer to/from the sample tube and a thermal assembly for performing a sample analysis; and sample support rails to receive the sample tube adapter to provide physical support for the sample tube, orient the sample tube adapter in relation to the thermal assembly so there is contact between the sample tube adapter and the thermal assembly to provide the thermal path for heat transfer to/from the sample tube and the thermal assembly, and align the sample tube adapter in relation to a light source so there is a registration between the sample tube and a light beam provided by the light source, all for performing the sample analysis.
摘要:
An inspection apparatus comprises an illumination system (12) for illuminating a target structure with illuminating radiation and a collection system for collecting the illuminating radiation after it has been scattered by the target structure. A programmable spatial light modulator (713) comprises an array of movable mirror elements (742) in a conjugate pupil plane (P") of the illumination system. Between the array of mirror elements and the target a common optical path is defined forming part of the illumination system and the collection system. Each mirror element is movable between a first position where it reflects illuminating radiation into the common optical path and a second position where it reflects radiation from the common optical path toward a detector (19, 23). Various combinations of illumination aperture and collection aperture can be defined without the light losses associated with beam splitters and transmissive spatial light modulators.
摘要:
Systems and methods for detecting defects on a wafer are provided. One method includes generating test image(s) for at least a portion of an array region in die(s) on a wafer from frame image(s) generated by scanning the wafer with an inspection system. The method also includes generating a reference image for cell(s) in the array region from frame images generated by the scanning of the wafer. In addition, the method includes determining difference image(s) for at least one cell in the at least the portion of the array region in the die(s) by subtracting the reference image from portion(s) of the test image(s) corresponding to the at least one cell. The method further includes detecting defects on the wafer in the at least one cell based on the difference image(s).