Abstract: Reflectometer, spectrophotometer, ellipsometer, and polarimeter systems having a supercontinuum laser source of coherent electromagnetic radiation over a range of between 400 nm to between 4400 nm and 18000 nm, and another source of wavelengths to provide between 400 nm and as high as at least 50000 nm; a stage for supporting a sample and a detector of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the source provides a beam of electromagnetic radiation which interacts with a sample and enters a detector system optionally incorporating a wavelength modifier, where the detector system can be functionally incorporated with combinations of gratings and/or combination dichroic beam splitter-prisms, which can be optimized as regards wavelength dispersion characteristics to direct wavelengths in various ranges to various detectors that are well suited to detect them.

Abstract: Ellipsometer, polarimeter, reflectometer and spectrophotometer systems including one or more wavelength modifiers which convert wavelengths provided by a source of electromagnetic radiation to different wavelengths for use in investigating a sample, and/or which a detector thereof can detect.

Abstract: A method of applying a reflective optics system that requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces. Application thereof achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation with reduced effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization that results from adjustment of angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved.

Abstract: Ellipsometers and polarimeters and the like having at least one rotating element which is driven by a motor that comprises air bearings.

Abstract: In ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, reflective optics including both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces, as well as aperture control of beam size to optimize operation with respect to aberration and diffraction effects while achieve the focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization that results from adjustment of angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved, and further including detectors of electromagnetic radiation that enable optimization of the operation thereof for application over various specific wavelength ranges, involving functional combinations of gratings and/or combination dichroic beam splitter-prisms, which themselves can be optimized as regards wavelength dispersion characteristics.

Abstract: Methodology of characterizing pore size distribution in a porous thin film having a surface, or in a surface region of a porous semi-infinite bulk substrate having a surface, involving applying a mathematical model of a sample based on effective medium approaches, such as the Bruggeman effective medium approach.

Abstract: A substantially achromatic multiple element compensator system for use in a wide spectral range, (for example 190-1700 nm), rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system, which does not require external surface coatings at locations whereat total internal reflections occur. Multiple total internal reflections enter retardance into an entered beam of electromagnetic radiation. Berek-type retarders on both input and output sides of the multiple elements are oriented to minimize changes in the net retardance vs. wavelength via adjustment of Berek-type retarders. Berek-type retarders.

Abstract: A method of applying a reflective optics system that requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces. Application thereof achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization that results from adjustment of angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved.

Abstract: Methodology of characterizing pore size and distribution in a porous thin film having a surface, or in a surface region of a porous semi-infinite bulk substrate having a surface, involving applying a mathematical model of a sample based on a Bruggerman effective medium.

Abstract: An approach to characterizing beams of electromagnetic radiation such as are applied in ellipsometer and the like systems, involving considering the beam to be comprised of a number of spatially distributed beam rays, each of which is represented mathematically as an effectively independent source.

Abstract: A reflective optics system that requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces. Application thereof achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization that results from adjustment of angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved. This invention is also a combination of a focusing element and a filtering element that provides an optimum electromagnetic beam cross-sectional area based on optimizing the beam cross-sectional area in view of conflicting effects of aberration and diffraction inherent in said focusing element, which, for each wavelength, vary oppositely to one another with electromagnetic beam cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a reflective focusing optics to provide a system that minimizes the effect of multiple beam reflections therewithin on polarization state reflective optics system that preferably requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces, the application of which achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a sample, (which can be along a locus differing from that of an input beam), with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization based on adjusted angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a reflective focusing optics to provide a system that minimizes the effect of multiple beam reflections therewithin on polarization state reflective optics system that preferably requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces, the application of which achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a sample, (which can be along a locus differing from that of an input beam), with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization based on adjusted angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved.

Abstract: A reflective optics system that preferably requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces, the application of which achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a sample, (which can be along a locus differing from that of an input beam), with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization based on adjusted angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved.

Abstract: A system for monitoring, in real time, relatively large samples as they are caused to pass by an ellipsometer or the like system, and method of its use.

Abstract: A reflective optics system that preferably requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces, the application of which achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a sample, (which can be along a locus differing from that of an input beam), with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization based on adjusted angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved.

Abstract: A sample investigation system (ES) in functional combination with an alignment system (AS), and methodology of enabling calibration and very fast, (eg. seconds), sample height, angle-of-incidence and plane-of-incidence adjustments, with application in mapping ellipsometer or the like systems.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system for adjusting spacing between an adjacent source/detector as a unit, and a sample, and a reflecting means for directing an incident beam which reflects from said sample back onto said sample and then into the detector along a locus which is in a plane of incidence that is offset from that of the incident beam, or directly from the reflecting means into the detector, including means for reducing reflections of a beam of electromagnetic from the back of a sample, including methodology of use.

Abstract: A sample investigation system (ES) in functional combination with an alignment system (AS), and methodology of enabling calibration and very fast, (eg. seconds), sample height, angle-of-incidence and plane-of-incidence adjustments, with application in mapping ellipsometer or the like systems.

Abstract: A sample investigation system (ES) in functional combination with an alignment system (AS), and methodology of enabling very fast, (eg. seconds), sample height, angle-of-incidence and plane-of-incidence adjustments, with application in mapping ellipsometer or the like systems.