Abstract: An optical scanning system including a radiating source that outputs a light beam, a time varying beam reflector that reflects the light beam through a scan lens towards a transparent sample at an incident angle of plus or minus ten degrees from Brewster's angle, a focusing lens configured to be irradiated by light scattered from the transparent sample, and a detector that is irradiated by the light scattered from the transparent sample. The detector outputs a signal that indicates an intensity of light measured by the detector. None of the light scattered from the transparent sample is blocked. The light scattered from the transparent sample is scattered from the top surface of the transparent sample, the bottom surface of the transparent sample, or any location in between the top surface of the transparent sample and the bottom surface of the transparent sample.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes a first radiating source capable of outputting a first source light beam, a second radiating source capable of outputting a second source light beam, a first time-varying beam reflector configured to direct the first source light beam and the second source light beam toward the sample, a scan lens configured to focus the first source light beam and the second source light beam reflected by the first time-varying beam reflector onto the sample, and a compound ellipsoidal collector configured to direct light scattered from the sample toward a scattered radiation detector. The optical scanning system causes one of the first or second source light beams to be directed towards a sample at an incident angle. The first light beam has a first wavelength, the second light beam has a second wavelength, and the first wavelength and the second wavelength are not the same.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes a first radiating source capable of outputting a first source light beam, a second radiating source capable of outputting a second source light beam, a first time-varying beam reflector configured to direct the first source light beam and the second source light beam toward the sample, a scan lens configured to focus the first source light beam and the second source light beam reflected by the first time-varying beam reflector onto the sample, and a compound ellipsoidal collector configured to direct light scattered from the sample toward a scattered radiation detector. The optical scanning system causes one of the first or second source light beams to be directed towards a sample at an incident angle. The first light beam has a first wavelength, the second light beam has a second wavelength, and the first wavelength and the second wavelength are not the same.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes a first radiating source capable of outputting a first source light beam, a second radiating source capable of outputting a second source light beam, a first time-varying beam reflector configured to direct the first source light beam and the second source light beam toward the sample, a scan lens configured to focus the first source light beam and the second source light beam reflected by the first time-varying beam reflector onto the sample, and a compound ellipsoidal collector configured to direct light scattered from the sample toward a scattered radiation detector. The optical scanner causes one of the first or second source light beams to be directed towards a sample at an incident angle. The first light beam has a first wavelength, the second light beam has a second wavelength, and the first wavelength and the second wavelength are not the same.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes a radiating source capable of outputting a source light beam, a de-scan lens that is configured to output a de-scanned light beam, the de-scan lens is located approximately one focal length of the de-scan lens from a sample irradiation location, a focusing lens that is configured to output a focused light beam, a first non-polarizing beam splitter configured to be irradiated by at least a portion of the focused light beam, a second non-polarizing beam splitter configured to be irradiated by at least a portion of the focused light beam that is reflected by the first non-polarizing beam splitter, and a detector that is located at approximately one focal length of the focusing lens from the focusing lens, the detector is configured to be irradiated by at least a portion of the focused light beam that is reflected by the second non-polarizing beam splitter.

Abstract: An optical scanning system including a radiating source capable of outputting a source light beam, a de-scan lens that is configured to output a de-scanned light beam, the de-scanned light beam is created by focusing light reflected from the sample and the de-scan lens is located approximately one focal length of the de-scan lens from an irradiation location where the light beam irradiates the sample, a focusing lens that is configured to output a focused light beam, a collimating lens that is configured to output a collimated light beam, a polarizing beam splitter that is configured to be irradiated by the collimated light beam, and a detector that is configured to be irradiated by at least a portion of the collimated light beam that is not reflected by the polarizing beam splitter.

Abstract: An angle independent optical surface inspector capable of generating a light beam, directing the light beam to a sample, and de-scanning a reflected light beam that is reflected from the sample, thereby generating a first de-scanned light beam. The de-scanning is performed at approximately one focal length of a de-scanning lens from an irradiation location where the light beam irradiates the sample. The optical inspector also capable of focusing the first de-scanned light beam, thereby generating a focused light beam, and measuring the location of the focused light beam. The measuring of the location is performed at approximately one focal length of a focusing lens from the focusing lens. The incident angle of the light beam is within ten degrees of Brewster's angle. The focusing is performed by an achromatic lens.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes a radiating source capable of outputting a source light beam, a de-scan lens that is configured to output a de-scanned light beam, the de-scan lens is located approximately one focal length of the de-scan lens from an sample irradiation location, a focusing lens that is configured to output a focused light beam, a first non-polarizing beam splitter configured to be irradiated by at least a portion of the focused light beam, a second non-polarizing beam splitter configured to be irradiated by at least a portion of the focused light beam that is reflected by the first non-polarizing beam splitter, and a detector that is located at approximately one focal length of the focusing lens from the focusing lens, the detector is configured to be irradiated by at least a portion of the focused light beam that is not reflected by the second non-polarizing beam splitter.

Abstract: An optical scanning system including a radiating source that outputs a light beam, a time varying beam reflector that reflects the light beam through a scan lens towards a transparent sample at an incident angle of plus or minus ten degrees from Brewster's angle, a focusing lens configured to be irradiated by light scattered from the transparent sample, and a detector that is irradiated by the light scattered from the transparent sample. The detector outputs a signal that indicates an intensity of light measured by the detector. None of the light scattered from the transparent sample is blocked. The light scattered from the transparent sample is scattered from the top surface of the transparent sample, the bottom surface of the transparent sample, or any location in between the top surface of the transparent sample and the bottom surface of the transparent sample.

Abstract: An optical scanning system, including: a radiating source that outputs a light beam, a first time varying beam reflector that reflects the light beam through a scan lens towards a transparent sample, a second time varying beam reflector that reflects the light beam reflected from the transparent sample, a focusing lens that focuses the light beam reflected from the transparent sample, a blocker, and a detector that is irradiated by the one or more selectable portions of the light beam reflected from the transparent sample that pass the blocker. The blocker can be configured to block one or more portions of the light beam reflected from the transparent sample so that one or more selectable portions of the light beam reflected from the transparent sample can pass the blocker.

Abstract: An optical scanning system, including: a radiating source that outputs a light beam, a first time varying beam reflector that reflects the light beam through a scan lens towards a transparent sample, a second time varying beam reflector that reflects the light beam reflected from the transparent sample, a focusing lens that focuses the light beam reflected from the transparent sample, a blocker, and a detector that is irradiated by the one or more selectable portions of the light beam reflected from the transparent sample that pass the blocker. The blocker can be configured to block one or more portions of the light beam reflected from the transparent sample so that one or more selectable portions of the light beam reflected from the transparent sample can pass the blocker.

Abstract: An optical scanning system including a radiating source that outputs a light beam, a time varying beam reflector that reflects the light beam through a scan lens towards a transparent sample, a focusing lens configured to be irradiated by light scattered from the transparent sample, and a detector that is irradiated by the light scattered from the transparent sample. The detector outputs a signal that indicates an intensity of light measured by the detector. None of the light scattered from the transparent sample is blocked. The light scattered from the transparent sample is scattered from the top surface of the transparent sample, the bottom surface of the transparent sample, or any location in between the top surface of the transparent sample and the bottom surface of the transparent sample.

Abstract: A dual mode inspector includes an optical inspector configured to detect a defect located at a first location on a sample, a microscope configured to capture an image of the defect at the first location on the sample, and a platform that is configured to support the sample. The sample is not removed from the platform between the detecting of the defect located at the first location on the sample and the capturing of the image of the defect at the first location on the sample. The dual mode optical inspector also includes a controller that causes the optical inspector to detect the defect located at the first location on the sample and causes the microscope to capture the image of the defect at the first location on the sample. The dual mode inspector also performs scanning lens distortion correction to improve the capturing of defect images.

Abstract: An optical scanning system including a radiating source that outputs a light beam, a time varying beam reflector that reflects the light beam through a scan lens towards a transparent sample, a focusing lens configured to be irradiated by light scattered from the transparent sample, and a detector that is irradiated by the light scattered from the transparent sample. The detector outputs a signal that indicates an intensity of light measured by the detector. None of the light scattered from the transparent sample is blocked. The light scattered from the transparent sample is scattered from the top surface of the transparent sample, the bottom surface of the transparent sample, or any location in between the top surface of the transparent sample and the bottom surface of the transparent sample.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes a radiating source capable of outputting a light beam, a time varying beam reflector that is configured to reflect the light beam through a scan lens towards a transparent sample at an incident angle that is not more than one degree greater or less than Brewster's angle of the transparent sample, and a focusing lens configured to be irradiated by light scattered from the transparent sample at an angle that is normal to the plane of incidence of the moving irradiated spot on the transparent sample. A first portion of the light beam is scattered from a first surface of the transparent sample and a second portion of the light beam is scattered from a second surface of the transparent sample. A spatial filter is configured to block the second portion of the light beam scattered from the second surface of the transparent sample.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes a radiating source capable of outputting a light beam, a first time varying beam reflector that is configured to reflect the light beam through a scan lens towards a transparent sample at an incident angle that is not more than one degree greater or less than Brewster's angle of the transparent sample, and a second time varying beam reflector that is configured to reflect the light beam reflected from the transparent sample after passing through a de-scan lens onto a phase retardance detector. The output of the phase retardance detector is usable to determine if a defect is present on the transparent sample. The first time varying beam reflector causes a first phase retardance of the light beam and the second time varying beam reflector causes a second phase retardance of the reflected light beam in the opposite direction of the first phase retardance.

Abstract: A dual mode inspector includes an optical inspector configured to detect a defect located at a first location on a sample, a microscope configured to capture an image of the defect at the first location on the sample, and a platform that is configured to support the sample. The sample is not removed from the platform between the detecting of the defect located at the first location on the sample and the capturing of the image of the defect at the first location on the sample. The dual mode optical inspector also includes a controller that causes the optical inspector to detect the defect located at the first location on the sample and causes the microscope to capture the image of the defect at the first location on the sample. The dual mode inspector also performs scanning lens distortion correction to improve the capturing of defect images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to measure specular reflection intensity, specular reflection angle, near specular scattered radiation, and large angle scattered radiation and determine the location and type of defect present in a first and a second transparent solid that have abutting surfaces. The types of defects include a top surface particle, an interface particle, a bottom surface particle, an interface bubble, a top surface pit, and a stain. The four measurements are conducted at multiple locations along the surface of the transparent solid and the measured information is stored in a memory device. The difference between an event peak and a local average of measurements for each type of measurement is used to detect changes in the measurements. Information stored in the memory device is processed to generate a work piece defect mapping indicating the type of defect and the defect location of each defect found.

Abstract: An optical inspector includes a time varying beam reflector, a radiating source that irradiates the time varying beam reflector, a telecentric scan lens configured to direct the radiation reflected by the time varying beam reflector onto a first surface of a transparent sample, a first detector that receives at least a portion of top surface specular reflection, a second detector that receives at least a portion of the bottom surface specular reflection. A turning mirror may also be included. The turning mirror is a switchable mirror that can be adjusted to a first position where the turning mirror reflects the top and bottom surface specular reflection, and can be adjusted to a second position where the turning mirror does not reflect the top or the bottom surface specular reflection. A first and second polarizing element may also be included to detect additional types of defects on either surface.

Abstract: A method for detecting defects includes directing a scanning beam to a location on a surface of a transparent sample, measuring top and bottom surface specular reflection intensity, and storing coordinate values of the first location and the top and bottom surface specular reflection intensity in a memory. The method may further include comparing the top surface specular reflection intensity measured at each location with a first threshold value, comparing the bottom surface specular reflection intensity measured at each location with a second threshold value, and determining if a defect is present at each location and on which surface the defect is present. The method may further include comparing the top surface specular reflection intensity measured at each location with a first intensity range, comparing the bottom surface specular reflection intensity measured at each location with a second intensity range, and determining on which surface the defect is present.