Apparatus and method for measuring surface topography optically

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9844427
SERIAL NO

15220336

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Abstract

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An apparatus is described for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. The apparatus can include a probe and an illumination unit configured to output a plurality of light beams. In many embodiments, the apparatus includes a light focusing assembly. The light focusing assembly can receive and focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective external focal point. The light focusing assembly can be configured to overlap the plurality of light beams within a focus changing assembly in order to move the external focal points along a direction of propagation of the light beams. The apparatus can include a detector having an array of sensing elements configured to measure a characteristic of each of a plurality of light beams returning from the illuminated spots and a processor coupled to the detector and configured to generate data representative of topography of the structure based on the measured characteristic.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Atiya, Yossef Maccabim, IL 74 2233
Verker, Tal Ofra, IL 68 1673

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