阅读说明：本技术 用于高功率紫外线检验工具的光衰减装置 (Light attenuating device for high power ultraviolet inspection tool ) 是由 郑雨 于 2019-09-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种光衰减装置,其包含：外壳；第一滤波器；第一电动机,其经配置以移动所述第一滤波器；及气动致动器,其经配置以移动所述第一滤波器以与所述外壳接触或不与所述外壳接触。所述滤波器包含在宽度上变化的多个狭缝开口,使得通过所述多个狭缝开口的光量随着所述第一滤波器移动而变化。所述光衰减装置还可包含第二滤波器及经配置以移动所述第二滤波器的第二电动机。还揭示一种光衰减方法,其包含：调整滤波器的位置,使得由辐射光束照射所述滤波器的一部分；及在维持所述滤波器的所述部分的所述照射时,移动所述滤波器以与导热对象接触。(The present invention relates to a light attenuation device, comprising: a housing; a first filter; a first motor configured to move the first filter; and a pneumatic actuator configured to move the first filter into or out of contact with the housing. The filter includes a plurality of slit openings that vary in width such that an amount of light passing through the plurality of slit openings varies as the first filter moves. The light attenuating device may also include a second filter and a second motor configured to move the second filter. Also disclosed is a method of attenuating light, comprising: adjusting the position of the filter such that a portion of the filter is illuminated by the beam of radiation; and while maintaining the illumination of the portion of the filter, moving the filter to contact a thermally conductive object.)

1. A light attenuating device, comprising:

a housing;

a first filter;

a first motor configured to move the first filter; and

a pneumatic actuator configured to move the first filter into or out of contact with the housing.

2. The light attenuating device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second filter; and

a second motor configured to move the second filter.

3. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter comprises a plurality of slit openings that vary in width such that an amount of light passing through the plurality of slit openings varies as the first filter moves.

4. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter comprises a plurality of circular openings that vary in diameter such that the amount of light passing through the plurality of circular openings varies as the filter moves.

5. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter includes a plurality of slit openings and circular openings such that the amount of light passing through the plurality of slit openings and the plurality of circular openings varies as the filter moves.

6. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter is rotated about a center by the motor.

7. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter is comprised of a thermally conductive material.

8. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter is comprised of a copper alloy.

9. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cooling system.

10. The light-attenuating device of claim 9, wherein the cooling system comprises a fluid channel within the housing, and wherein a coolant fluid flows through the fluid channel within the housing.

11. The light-attenuating device of claim 10, wherein the coolant fluid is water.

12. The light-attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the housing is comprised of a thermally conductive material.

13. The light attenuating device of claim 2, wherein the first filter and the second filter are coaxial.

14. The light attenuating device of claim 2, wherein the first filter and the second filter are not coaxial.

15. The light attenuating device of claim 2, wherein the first aperture pattern of the first filter is orthogonal to the second aperture pattern of the second filter.

16. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter comprises an alignment notch.

17. The light-attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter comprises an opening at least as large as a beam area of a light beam emitted by a light source.

18. The light-attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first filter comprises a region that does not have any openings that are at least as large as a beam area of a light beam emitted by a light source.

19. The light attenuating device of claim 2, wherein the first filter and the second filter rotate synchronously.

20. The light attenuating device of claim 2, wherein the first filter and the second filter rotate asynchronously.

21. The light-attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the amount of light passing through the first filter is controlled by moving the filter relative to a light beam emitted from a light source.

22. The light attenuating device of claim 1, wherein the first motor and the pneumatic actuator are controlled by an electronic control circuit.

23. A method of attenuating light, comprising:

(a) adjusting the position of the filter such that a portion of the filter is illuminated by the beam of radiation; and

(b) while maintaining the illumination of the portion of the filter, moving the filter to contact a thermally conductive object.

Technical Field

The described embodiments relate generally to light attenuation and, more particularly, to light attenuation solutions for high power ultraviolet inspection toolsets.

Background

Wafer defect inspection systems use Ultraviolet (UV) light to illuminate the wafer during the inspection process. Ultraviolet illumination of the wafer being inspected is beneficial because ultraviolet light provides a shorter wavelength than white light conventionally used. Shorter wavelengths in combination with denser illumination provide smaller inspection pixel sizes and higher detection sensitivity. Reliable and precise control of high power uv light is therefore required to guide high quality wafer inspection.

There are currently two main techniques for controlling high power ultraviolet light, namely reflection or absorption filtering and single radial gradient slit filtering.

In a first method, the light attenuation of the ultraviolet light is achieved by a reflective or absorptive optical filter element. Radial reflective or absorptive gradient coatings are commonly used for such optical filters. Light attenuation is achieved by gradually blocking (reflecting or absorbing) incident light. This method of optical filter attenuation has the advantage of a uniform output, but typically has a relatively low damage threshold. By increasing the power and damaging the ultraviolet wavelength light source, the relatively low power damage threshold of such optical filter types becomes a major limitation. In other words, this type of optical filter is rapidly damaged by high power uv light and therefore is not a reliable solution for high power uv designs.

In a second approach, optical attenuation is achieved by a single gradient slit filter. The power output from this single gradient slit filter is governed by the size of the opening of the slit. However, the light profile is not uniform across the clear aperture. The single gradient slit filter also fails to provide high light attenuation with high resolution. This makes single gradient slit filters unsuitable for high power uv designs.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first novel aspect, a light attenuating device comprises: a housing; a first filter; a first motor configured to move the first filter; and a pneumatic actuator configured to move the first filter into or out of contact with the housing.

In one example, the filter includes a plurality of slit openings that vary in width such that an amount of light passing through the plurality of slit openings varies as the first filter moves.

In another example, the filter includes a plurality of circular openings that vary in diameter such that the amount of light passing through the plurality of circular openings varies as the filter moves.

In yet another example, the filter includes a plurality of slit openings and circular openings such that an amount of light passing through the plurality of slit openings and the plurality of circular openings varies as the filter moves.

In a second novel aspect, a light attenuating device comprises: a housing; a first filter; a first motor configured to move the first filter; a second filter; a second motor configured to move the second filter; and a pneumatic actuator configured to move the first filter into or out of contact with the housing.

In a first example, the first filter and the second filter are coaxial.

In a second example, the first filter and the second filter are not coaxial.

In a third example, the pattern of the first filter is orthogonal to the pattern of the second filter.

In a fourth example, the first filter and the second filter rotate synchronously.

In a fifth example, the first filter and the second filter rotate asynchronously.

In a third novel aspect, a method of attenuating light includes: adjusting the position of the filter such that a portion of the filter is illuminated by the beam of radiation; and while maintaining the illumination of the portion of the filter, moving the filter to contact a thermally conductive object.

Further details and embodiments and techniques are described in the following detailed description. This summary does not intend to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an optical attenuation system 1 including a single filter.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an optical attenuation system 11 including a plurality of coaxial filters.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an optical attenuation system 21 including a plurality of non-coaxial filters.

Fig. 4 is a two-dimensional diagram of a filter with a plurality of radial variant slits.

Fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a filter having a plurality of radial variant slits.

Fig. 6 is a graph illustrating light intensity output versus position for a filter having a plurality of radial variation slits.

Fig. 7 is a two-dimensional diagram of a filter with multiple variant radius holes.

Figure 8 is a two-dimensional diagram of a filter having a plurality of discrete aperture size cells.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the optical attenuation system 40 with the filter in an undamped position.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the light attenuating system 40 with filter cooling in the clamped position.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart 100 describing the operation of an optical attenuation system incorporating a single filter.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart 200 describing the operation of an optical attenuation system including two filters.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to background examples and some embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description and claims, relational terms, such as "top," "lower," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "left," and "right," may be used to describe relative orientations between different portions of the described structure, and it should be understood that the entire structure described may be oriented in three dimensions in virtually any manner.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an optical attenuation system 1 including a single filter. The optical attenuation system 1 includes a housing 3 that houses a filter 4. In operation, the light source 2 emits high power ultraviolet light (emitted light 7) which travels through an opening in the housing (housing opening 5) and illuminates a portion of the filter 4. A portion of the emitted light 7 not filtered by the filter 4 passes through the filter 4 (filtered light 8) and is directed towards the component to be illuminated (illuminated element 6). In one embodiment, the illuminated element 6 is a wafer. The portion of the filter illuminated by the emitted light 7 is controlled by adjusting the position of the filter relative to the emitted light 7. If the light attenuation provided by the filter varies across the filter positions, the desired light attenuation can be achieved by positioning the filter 4 such that the emitted light 7 illuminates the filter at a position where the filter provides the desired attenuation.

In one example, the filter has a circular shape and is rotated about its center by a motor (not shown). The motor is controlled by an electronic control circuit (not shown). In this way, the light attenuation system 1 may control the rotation of the filter and thereby control the portion of the filter illuminated by the emitted light beam from the light source 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an optical attenuation system 11 including a plurality of coaxial filters. The optical attenuation system 11 includes a housing 13 that houses a plurality of filters 14. The plurality of filters 14 are positioned coaxially. In operation, the light source 12 emits high power ultraviolet light (emitted light 17) that travels through an opening in the housing (housing opening 15) and illuminates a portion of the plurality of filters 14. A portion of the emitted light 17 that is not filtered by the plurality of filters 14 passes through the plurality of filters 14 (filtered light 18) and is directed toward the component to be illuminated (illuminated element 16). In one embodiment, the illuminated element 16 is a wafer. The portion of each of the plurality of filters 14 illuminated by the emitted light 17 is controlled by adjusting the position of each of the plurality of filters 14 relative to the emitted light 17. If the light attenuation provided by the filters varies across filter locations, a desired light attenuation may be achieved by positioning the plurality of filters 14 such that the emitted light 17 illuminates each of the plurality of filters 14 at locations where the plurality of filters provide the desired attenuation. The use of multiple filters allows both an increase in attenuation range and an increase in attenuation resolution.

In one example, the filter has a circular shape and is rotated about its center by one or more motors (not shown). The motor(s) are controlled by an electronic control circuit (not shown). In this way, the light attenuation system 1 may control the rotation of the filter and thereby control the portion of the filter illuminated by the emitted light beam from the light source 2.

In another example, the patterns of filters are configured to be orthogonal such that each filter can attenuate in two directions, respectively. This provides a range of attenuation that can be doubled compared to a single filter design.

In yet another example, the filters may be rotated synchronously or asynchronously. This enables different decay performance curves and different thermal management strategies. For example, in this way, the first filter can be moved to a position where the first filter absorbs most of the thermal energy from the emitted light while the second filter is only used for fine tuning of the attenuation and thus does not absorb much thermal energy.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an optical attenuation system 21 including a plurality of non-coaxial filters. The optical attenuation system 21 includes a housing 23 that houses a plurality of filters 24. The plurality of filters 24 are positioned non-coaxially. In operation, the light source 22 emits high power ultraviolet light (emitted light 27) that travels through an opening in the housing (housing opening 25) and illuminates a portion of the plurality of filters 24. A portion of the emitted light 27 that is not filtered by the plurality of filters 24 passes through the plurality of filters 24 (filtered light 28) and is directed toward the component to be illuminated (illuminated element 26). In one embodiment, illuminated element 26 is a wafer. The portion of each of the plurality of filters 24 illuminated by the emitted light 27 is controlled by adjusting the position of each of the plurality of filters 24 relative to the emitted light 27. If the light attenuation provided by the filters varies across filter locations, a desired light attenuation may be achieved by positioning the plurality of filters 24 such that the emitted light 27 illuminates each of the plurality of filters 24 at locations where the plurality of filters provide the desired attenuation. The use of multiple filters allows both an increase in attenuation range and an increase in attenuation resolution.

In one example, the filter has a circular shape and is rotated about its center by one or more motors (not shown). The motor(s) are controlled by an electronic control circuit (not shown). In this way, the light attenuation system 1 may control the rotation of the filter and thereby control the portion of the filter illuminated by the emitted light beam from the light source 2.

In another example, the patterns of filters are configured to be orthogonal such that each filter can attenuate in two directions, respectively. This provides a range of attenuation that can be doubled compared to a single filter design.

In yet another example, the filters may be rotated synchronously or asynchronously. This enables different decay performance curves and different thermal management strategies. For example, in this way, the first filter can be moved to a position where the first filter absorbs most of the thermal energy from the emitted light while the second filter is only used for fine tuning of the attenuation and thus does not absorb much thermal energy.

Fig. 4 is a two-dimensional diagram of a filter with a plurality of radial variant slits. The filter is designed to rotate about its center. Starting at the top left hand side of the filter, the filter contains a fully closed region. This is the area of the filter that has no opening, thereby not allowing any light to pass through this area of the filter. The area of this region is larger than the beam area of the emitted light. Moving clockwise to the top center of the filter, the filter contains a fully open area. This is the region of the filter with a continuous large opening, thereby not blocking any light in this region. The area of this region is larger than the beam area of the emitted light. Moving further clockwise along the filter, the filter contains a low attenuation region. The low attenuation region includes a plurality of radial variant slits. The slit opening transitions from a large opening to full closure. In one example, the width of each slit opening is the same at the same angular position and governed by the following function to deliver a linear attenuation output.

w＝b^θ+a

Where w is the width of the slit opening, θ is the angular position, and "a" and "b" are constants that determine the boundary conditions of the slit opening.

Moving further clockwise along the filter, the filter contains a thermal relief cut. The thermal relief cuts prevent the filter structure from collapsing due to thermal expansion that occurs when a variant slot width filter is operated in a high attenuation region that causes an increase in filter thermal energy.

Moving further clockwise along the filter, the filter contains a high attenuation region. The high attenuation region includes a plurality of radial variant slits. The slit opening transitions from a large opening to full closure. However, this plurality of radial variant slit openings is smaller than the plurality of radial variant slit openings comprised in the low attenuation region, thereby providing a higher degree of attenuation.

The filter having a plurality of radial variant slits also comprises a notch for homing the filter. Homing the filter is a process in which the filter orientation is aligned with the filter position control system (i.e., drive rod, drive motor …).

Fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a filter having a plurality of radial variant slits. This 3D view provides a perspective view of the filter with the radial variant slit.

Fig. 6 is a graph illustrating light intensity output versus position for a filter having a plurality of radial variation slits. As discussed above, in the fully open area, all light passes through the filter and no attenuation is provided. In the low attenuation region, the light is gradually attenuated as you move clockwise along the filter with multiple radial variant slits. Then, there is a transition region between the low attenuation region and the high attenuation region. In the high attenuation region, the light attenuates more and more strongly as you move clockwise along the filter with multiple radial variant slits. Then, as discussed above, there is a fully closed region where the light does not pass through the filter.

Fig. 7 is a two-dimensional diagram of a filter with multiple variant radius holes. The filter is designed to rotate about its center. As shown in fig. 7, the filter includes a plurality of circular holes that increase in size in a clockwise direction. The filter also includes a notch for homing the filter. In operation, the filter may be rotated such that the amount of light passing through the filter increases or decreases. The filter also contains a fully closed region where light does not pass through the filter.

Figure 8 is a two-dimensional diagram of a filter having a plurality of discrete aperture size cells. The filter is designed to rotate about its center. As shown in fig. 8, the filter includes a plurality of circular holes that discretely increase in size in a clockwise direction. For example, in the highest attenuation region, all openings have the same size. In the higher attenuation region, all openings have the same size as all other openings in the higher attenuation region. The openings in the higher attenuation regions are larger than the openings in the highest attenuation regions. In the lower attenuation region, all openings have the same size as all other openings in the lower attenuation region. The openings in the lower attenuation region are larger than the openings in the higher attenuation region. In the lowest attenuation region, all openings have the same size as all other openings in the lowest attenuation region. The openings in the lowest attenuation region are larger than the openings in the low attenuation region. In this way, the filter provides four different attenuation levels.

It should be noted herein that filters that are combinations of one or more of the filters illustrated in fig. 4-5, 7, and 8 may also be used. For example, a combined filter of a radial variant slit opening and a variant radius hole may be used to achieve a desired attenuation response.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the light attenuating system 40 with filter cooling in an undamped position. FIG. 9 is a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of the light attenuating system 40. The light attenuating system 40 includes a filter 41, a housing 42, a filter movement drive system 43, a clamping plate 44, and a pneumatic actuator 45. The filter movement drive system 43 may include a motor to cause the filter to move. The filter movement drive system 43 may also include a rotating ball spline to allow for rotational and axial movement of the filter. The filter movement drive system 43 may also include drive and driven gears to cause the filter to move.

As mentioned above, FIG. 9 illustrates the light attenuating system 40 in an undamped state. In this unclamped state, air exists between the clamping plate 44 and the filter 41 and between the filter 41 and the case 42. Due to the low thermal conductivity of air, the amount of thermal energy that can be transferred from the filter 41 to the housing 42 is greatly limited.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the light attenuating system 40 with filter cooling in the clamped position. As mentioned above, FIG. 10 illustrates the light attenuating system 40 in a clamped state. In this clamped state, there is little or no air between the filter 41 and the housing 42. This greatly improves the amount of thermal energy that can be transferred from the filter 41 to the housing 42. The amount of transferable thermal energy can be further improved by making the optical filter 41 from a material with high thermal conductivity, such as a copper alloy. Similarly, the amount of transferable thermal energy can be further improved by making the housing from a material with high thermal conductivity (e.g., a copper alloy).

The housing 42 requires a cooling method in view of the transfer of thermal energy from the optical filter 41 to the housing 42. In a first example, the enclosure 42 is cooled by radiating thermal energy only to the air surrounding the enclosure 42. In a second example, the housing 42 is cooled by passing a cooling fluid through passages within the housing 42. In this example, the cooling fluid may be cold water that absorbs thermal energy from the housing 42 as it passes through the housing 42. In this way, the housing 42 may absorb all of the thermal energy from the filter 41 while maintaining relatively low thermal energy. Using this cooling scheme, the filter 41 can withstand significantly high powers at a magnitude of one hundred times the power that previous methods can withstand.

Fig. 9 and 10 illustrate an optical attenuation system having only a single filter, however, multiple filters can be readily added to provide a higher resolution optical attenuation system. A higher attenuation range of about 5000 to 1 (or 3.74 optical density) may be achieved using this technique.

It should be noted herein that in a multiple filter system, one or more of the filters may benefit from contact with the housing to improve cooling. It should also be noted herein that although a pneumatic actuator is described as providing a method of moving the filter into contact with the housing, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that many other means may be used to cause the filter to move into contact with the housing.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart 100 describing the operation of an optical attenuation system incorporating a single filter. In step 101, the filter position is adjusted relative to the emission beam to set the light attenuation. In step 102, the filter is moved into contact with the housing while maintaining the position of the filter relative to the emitted light beam. In step 103, the filter is moved so that it is not in contact with the housing. In step 104, the filter position is adjusted relative to the emission beam to vary the optical attenuation. In step 105, the filter is moved into contact with the housing while maintaining the position of the filter relative to the emitted light beam.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart 200 describing the operation of an optical attenuation system including two filters. In step 201, a first filter position is adjusted relative to the emitted light beam to set a first filter optical attenuation. In step 202, a second filter position is adjusted relative to the emitted light beam to set a second filter optical attenuation. In step 103, the first filter is moved into contact with the housing while maintaining the first filter position relative to the emitted light beam. In step 204, the first filter is moved out of contact with the housing. In step 205, the first filter position is adjusted relative to the emission beam to vary the first filter optical attenuation. In step 206, the second filter position is adjusted relative to the emission light beam to vary the second filter optical attenuation. In step 207, the first filter is moved into contact with the housing while maintaining the first filter position relative to the emitted light beam.

Although certain specific embodiments are described above for instructional purposes, the teachings of this patent document have general applicability and are not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and combinations of the various features of the described embodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.