OPTICAL SCANNING SYSTEM FOR SURFACE INSPECTION

摘要

In an optical scanning system (200) for detecting particles and pattern defects on a sample surface (240), a light beam (238) is focused to an illuminated spot on the surface and the spot is scanned across a scan line. A detector (11b) is positioned adjacent to the surface to collect scattered light from the spot where the detector includes a one- or two-dimensional array of sensors. Light scattered from the illuminated spot at each of a plurality of positions along the scan line is focused onto a corresponding sensor in the array. A plurality of detectors symmetrically placed with respect to the illuminating beam detect laterally and forward scattered light from the spot.