Patents Assigned to Real Time Metrology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6809809
    Abstract: An optical inspection module is provided for detecting defects on a substrate having first and second opposite planar surfaces. The module includes a substrate holding position and first and second measurement instruments. The first instrument includes a first illumination path extending to the substrate holding position and having a grazing angle of incidence with the first surface, which illuminates substantially the entire first surface. A first optical element is oriented to collect non-specularly reflected light scattered by the first surface. A first photodetector has a plurality of pixels positioned within a focal plane of the first lens, which together form a field of view that covers substantially the entire first surface. The second instrument includes a sensor oriented for sensing a physical characteristic of the second surface when the substrate is held in the substrate holding position and the first surface is being illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Real Time Metrology, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. Kinney, Anand Gupta, Nagaraja P. Rao
  • Patent number: 6630996
    Abstract: An optical inspection module and method are provided for detecting particles on a surface of a substrate. The module includes a substrate holding position, wherein the surface of the substrate defines an object plane at the substrate holding position. A light source illuminates substantially the entire substrate surface. A lens is oriented to collect light reflected from the light beam path by the substrate surface and has a lens plane. A photodetector array has a plurality of pixels defining an image plane within a focal plane of the lens. Each pixel corresponds to an area on the surface and the plurality of pixels together form a field of view that covers substantially the entire surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Real Time Metrology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagaraja P. Rao, Patrick D. Kinney