METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING DEFECTS
First Claim
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1. A defect detecting method, the method comprising:
- generating an actual image of a pattern on a sample based on irradiation of an electron beam onto the sample;
performing a contrast conversion of the actual image to generate a conversion image representing a normal pattern, the contrast conversion performed for gray levels of pixels in the actual image;
matching the conversion image and a design image for the pattern; and
detecting a defective pattern in the actual image based on matching of the conversion image and the design image.
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Abstract
A defect detecting method includes generating an actual image of a pattern on a sample based on irradiation of an electron beam onto the sample, performing a contrast conversion of the actual image to generate a conversion image representing a normal pattern, matching the conversion image and a design image for the pattern, and detecting a defective pattern in the actual image based on matching of the conversion image and the design image. The contrast conversion may be performed for gray levels of pixels in the actual image.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A defect detecting method, the method comprising:
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generating an actual image of a pattern on a sample based on irradiation of an electron beam onto the sample; performing a contrast conversion of the actual image to generate a conversion image representing a normal pattern, the contrast conversion performed for gray levels of pixels in the actual image; matching the conversion image and a design image for the pattern; and detecting a defective pattern in the actual image based on matching of the conversion image and the design image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A defect detecting method, the method comprising:
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generating an actual image of a sample having a pattern based on irradiation of an electron beam onto the sample; performing a contrast conversion to generate a conversion image representing a normal pattern, the contrast conversion performed for gray levels of pixels in the actual image; generating a corrected conversion image based on an adjustment of brightness or Gaussian blur of the conversion image; and matching the corrected conversion image and a design image for the pattern to detect a defective pattern in the actual image. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A defect detecting system, comprising:
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an electron microscope irradiating an electron beam onto a sample having a pattern; a detector to detect electrons emitted from the pattern to obtain an actual image for the pattern; and an image processor connected to the electron microscope, the image processor including; image converting logic to convert the actual image to a conversion image representing normal patterns, the image converting logic to perform a contrast conversion with respect to gray levels of pixels in the actual image, and matching logic to match the conversion image and a design image for the pattern to detect a defective pattern in the actual image. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A defect detecting method, the method comprising:
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receiving a first image of a pattern on a sample; converting the first image to a second image including a normal pattern, the first image converted by converting gray levels of pixels in the first image that are equal to or less than a predetermined level to a predetermined value; matching the second image and a design image for the pattern; and detecting a defect in the first image based on results of the matching. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification