Abstract: Methods and systems for providing illumination of a specimen for inspection are provided. One embodiment relates to a system configured to provide illumination of a specimen for inspection. The system includes an electrodeless lamp configured to generate light. The system is further configured such that the light illuminates the specimen during the inspection. Another embodiment relates to a system configured to inspect a specimen. The system includes an electrodeless lamp configured to generate light and one or more optical elements configured to direct the light to the specimen. The system also includes a detection subsystem configured to generate output responsive to light from the specimen. The output can be used to detect defects on the specimen. An additional embodiment relates to a method for providing illumination of a specimen for inspection. The method includes illuminating the specimen during the inspection with light generated by an electrodeless lamp.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing illumination of a specimen for a process performed on the specimen are provided. One system configured to provide illumination of a specimen for a process performed on the specimen includes a laser configured to generate excitation light. The system also includes focusing optics configured to focus the excitation light to a plasma in an electrodeless lamp such that the plasma generates light. The system is also configured such that the light illuminates the specimen during the process.