SYSTEMS, CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING THERMAL DAMAGE AND EXTENDING THE DETECTION RANGE OF AN INSPECTION SYSTEM BY AVOIDING DETECTOR AND CIRCUIT SATURATION

摘要

Inspection systems, circuits and methods are provided to enhance defect detection by addressing anode saturation as a limiting factor of the measurement detection range of a photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector. Inspection systems, circuits and methods are also provided to enhance defect detection by addressing saturation levels of the amplifier and analog-digital circuitry as a limiting factor of the measurement detection range of an inspection system. In addition, inspection systems, circuits, and methods are provided to enhance defect detection by reducing thermal damage to large particles by dynamically altering the incident laser beam power level supplied to the specimen during a surface inspection scan.