IP Library Granted Patent US 6,919,958
Granted Patent B2
US 6,919,958 · App. 10/397,917 · Granted Jul 19, 2005

Wafer metrology apparatus and method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,919,958
App. No.
10/397,917
Granted
Jul 19, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

This invention is an apparatus for imaging metrology, which in particular embodiments may be integrated with a processor station such that a metrology station is apart from but coupled to a process station. The metrology station is provided with a first imaging camera with a first field of view containing the measurement region. Alternate embodiments include a second imaging camera with a second field of view. Preferred embodiments comprise a broadband ultraviolet light source, although other embodiments may have a visible or near infrared light source of broad or narrow optical bandwidth. Embodiments including a broad bandwidth source typically include a spectrograph, or an imaging spectrograph. Particular embodiments may include curved, reflective optics or a measurement region wetted by a liquid. In a typical embodiment, the metrology station and the measurement region are configured to have 4 degrees of freedom of movement relative to each other.

Claims (8)

1. An apparatus for evaluating a predetermined region of a sample, said apparatus comprising:

a solid state light source for illuminating the sample;

a first camera for capturing a first image of the sample, illuminated by the solid state light source, in order to identify a location of the predetermined region to be measured;

a second light source for illuminating the predetermined region;

a detector for measuring light from the second light source that is reflected from the predetermined region; and

a second camera for capturing a second image of the sample in order to identify the location of the predetermined region to be measured.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second camera has a smaller field of view than the first camera.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second camera captures a second image of the sample while the sample is illuminated by the second light source.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2005
From: THERMA-WAVE, INC.
To: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
Reel/Frame 017136/0621 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2005
From: THERMA-WAVE, INC.
To: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
Reel/Frame 016851/0953 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2004
From: NORTON, ADAM E.
To: THERMA-WAVE, INC.
Reel/Frame 015063/0819 →