Illumination system, inspection apparatus including such an illumination system, inspection method and manufacturing method

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9753296
SERIAL NO

14805402

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Abstract

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In an illumination system (12, 13) for a scatterometer, first and second spatial light modulators lie in a common plane and are formed by different portions of a single liquid crystal cell (260). Pre-polarizers (250) apply polarization to first and second radiation prior to the spatial light modulators. A first spatial light modulator (236-S) varies a polarization state of the first radiation in accordance with a first programmable pattern. Second spatial light modulator (236-P) varies a polarization state of the second radiation accordance with a second programmable pattern. A polarizing beam splitter (234) selectively transmits each of the spatially modulated first and second radiation to a common output path, depending on the polarization state of the radiation. In an embodiment, functions of pre-polarizers are performed by the polarizing beam splitter.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
ASML NETHERLANDS B V5500 AH VELDHOVEN

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Ebert, Martin Valkenswaard, NL 34 347
Jak, Martin Jacobus Johan 's-Hertogenbosch, NL 74 575
Van, Der Zouw Gerbrand Waalre, NL 20 173

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