Light collector for optical contaminant and flaw detector

Claim 2

A two-stage light collector for detecting contaminants and defects on a test surface comprising, a light source capable of generating a narrow beam, a support holding a test surface with a number of light scattering contaminants and defects, scanning means for sweeping the beam in a path across the test surface, a first light collector having an entrance aperture for admitting the beam, and having a beam exit aperture, said first light collector directing light scattered from said test surface to said beam exit aperture and a second light collector having an entrance aperture in optical communication with the beam exit aperture of the first light collector and having a detector port distal from light entering said entrance aperture of said second light collector with light detection means mounted therein for detecting changes in light scattering from said test surface, light scattered from locations other than from said test surface having a low probability of entering said second light collector and being detected.

Claim 3

The light collector of claim 1 wherein said support comprises a wafer transport means for moving wafers across the beam path.

Claim 4

The light collector of claim 1 wherein said first light collector comprises an internally reflecting shell.

Claim 5

The light collector of claim 1 wherein said second light collector comprises an internally reflecting shell.

Claim 6

The light collector of claim 3 wherein said internally reflecting shell of said first light collector has an elliptical cross section.

Claim 7

A two-stage light collector for detecting contaminants and defects on a test surface comprising, a light source capable of generating a narrow beam, a support holding a reflective test surface, a sector of an internally diffusely reflecting spherical shell cradled between specularly reflective, flat converging side walls having a linear gap along a line of convergence, a sector of an internally reflecting elliptical shell having first and second foci, including a first focal line disposed within said linear gap on said line of convergence and a second focal line disposed on the surface of the test object being scanned by the beam, said elliptical shell having a beam entrance aperture for admitting a scanning beam, optical means for directing said narrow beam toward said beam entrance aperture and scanning means for sweeping the beam in a path across the test surface, light scattered from said test surface being directed by said elliptical shell from said first focal line to said second focal line into said spherical shell, and light detection means in communication with scattered light within said spherical shell for detecting increases and decreases in scattered light from said test surface within the spherical shell, light scattered from locations other than from said test surface having a low probability of being detected.

Claim 8

A two-stage light collector for detecting contaminants and defects on a test surface comprising, a light source capable of generating a narrow beam, a support holding a reflective test surface, a sector of an internally diffusely reflecting spherical shell cradled between specularly reflective, flat converging side walls having a linear gap along a line of convergence, a sector of an internally reflecting elliptical shell having first and second foci, including a first focal line disposed within said linear gap on said line of convergence and a second focal line disposed on the surface of the test object being scanned by the beam, said elliptical shell having a beam entrance aperture for admitting a scanning beam, optical means for directing said narrow beam toward said beam entrance aperture and scanning means for sweeping the beam in a path across the test surface, light scattered from said test surface being directed by said elliptical shell from said first focal line to said second focal line into said spherical shell, and light detection means in communication with scattered light within said spherical shell for detecting increases and decreases in scattered light from said test surface within the spherical shell, light scattered from locations other than from said test surface having a low probability of being detected.

Claim 9

The light collector of claim 6 wherein said elliptical shell has its reflective surface facing said test surface, said elliptical shell having a linear slot therein accommodating said beam.

Claim 10

The light collector of claim 6 wherein said spherical shell has a detector port mounting said light detection means, said detector port distal from light entering said beam entrance aperture.

Claim 11

The light collector of claim 6 wherein said spherical shell and said elliptical shell have flat lateral walls supported by a housing.

Claim 12

The light collector of claim 6 wherein at least one beam blocking member is disposed in said elliptical shell for blocking light rays from entering said spherical shell at undesired angles.

Claim 13

The light collector of claim 1 wherein said first light collector comprises an internally reflecting hemispherical shell and said second light collector comprises an internally diffusely reflecting hemispherical shell having a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of said first light collector, said shell of said second light collector having an entrance aperture diametrically opposed to said beam path across said test surface.

Claim 14

The light collector of claim 4 wherein said second light collector comprises an internally reflecting cylindrical shell.

Claim 15

A two-stage light collector for detecting contaminants and defects on a test surface comprising, a light source capable of generating a narrow beam, a support holding a reflective test surface, a first internally reflecting hemispherical shell having a beam entrance aperture for admitting a scanning beam, a second internally diffusely reflecting hemispherical shell with a plane mirror upper wall having a slit in the wall, optical means for directing said narrow beam toward said entrance aperture and scanning means for sweeping the beam in a path across said test surface, light scattered from said test surface being directed by said first shell from said beam path to said slit into said second shell, said slit being diametrically opposite said beam path, light detection means in communication with scattered light within said second shell for detecting increases and decreases in light scattered from said test surface within said second shell, light scattered from locations other than said beam path on said test surface having a low probability of entering said second shell and being detected.

Claim 16

A two-stage light collector for detecting contaminants and defects on a test surface comprising, a light source capable of generating a narrow beam, a support holding a reflective test surface, a first internally reflecting hemispherical shell having a beam entrance aperture for admitting a scanning beam, a second internally diffusely reflecting hemispherical shell with a plane mirror upper wall having a slit in the wall, optical means for directing said narrow beam toward said entrance aperture and scanning means for sweeping the beam in a path across said test surface, light scattered from said test surface being directed by said first shell from said beam path to said slit into said second shell, said slit being diametrically opposite said beam path, light detection means in communication with scattered light within said second shell for detecting increases and decreases in light scattered from said test surface within said second shell, light scattered from locations other than said beam path on said test surface having a low probability of entering said second shell and being detected.