Edge detector
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting at least one interval between a plurality of edge portions present on a tested surface, said apparatus comprising:
- a probe for relatively moving along the tested surface;
detection means for detecting one of a working force and a tunnel current generated between said probe and the tested surface and for producing a detection output;
edge detection means comprising means for receiving the detection output signal, and means for detecting edge portions on the tested surface according to one of the working force and the tunnel current detected by said detection means and for producing an edge detection output; and
edge interval detection means comprising means for receiving the edge detection output and means for detecting at least one edge interval between the edge portions detected by said edge detection means, said edge interval detection means being distinct from said edge detection means.
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Abstract
An edge detector is disclosed, which detector is improved by providing a probe moving relatively with a tested pattern, a device for detecting a working force or a tunnel current generated between the probe and the tested pattern, and a device for detecting an edge of the tested pattern according to the detected working force or tunnel current. An edge of the tested pattern is detected at high resolution by detecting the tunnel current flowing between a conductive tested pattern and a probe kept closely opposite thereto, or by detecting an atomic force or a magnetic force working between an insulated or a magnetic tested pattern and a lever.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting at least one interval between a plurality of edge portions present on a tested surface, said apparatus comprising:
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a probe for relatively moving along the tested surface; detection means for detecting one of a working force and a tunnel current generated between said probe and the tested surface and for producing a detection output; edge detection means comprising means for receiving the detection output signal, and means for detecting edge portions on the tested surface according to one of the working force and the tunnel current detected by said detection means and for producing an edge detection output; and edge interval detection means comprising means for receiving the edge detection output and means for detecting at least one edge interval between the edge portions detected by said edge detection means, said edge interval detection means being distinct from said edge detection means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for measuring a line width of a pattern present on a tested surface, said apparatus comprising:
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a probe for relatively moving along the tested surface; movement distance detection means for detecting a relative distance of movement between said probe and the tested surface, and for producing a movement distance detection signal; detection means for detecting one of a working force and a tunnel current generated between said probe and the tested surface, and for producing a detection signal; edge detection means for detecting edge portions at both ends of a predetermined pattern on the tested surface according to one of the working force and the tunnel current detected by said detection means, and for producing an edge detection signal; and pattern line width detection means for detecting a pattern line width according to the edge detection signal, indicative of both end edge portions of the predetermined pattern detected by said edge detection means, and according to the movement distance signal detected by said movement distance detection means, indicative of a distance of movement during the detection of both end edge portions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for measuring an interval between a plurality of edge portions present on a tested surface, said apparatus comprising:
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a probe positioned opposite to the tested surface; detection means for detecting one of a working force and a tunnel current generated between said probe and the tested surface and for producing a detection output; edge detection means for receiving the detection output, for detecting the edge portions according to one of the working force and the tunnel current detected by said detection means and for producing an edge detection output; movement means for relatively moving said probe along the tested surface from one of the edge portions to another; movement distance detection means for detecting a relative distance of movement between said probe and the tested surface, and for producing a movement distance detection signal; and measurement means for receiving the edge detection output and the movement distance detection signal, and for measuring a distance of relative movement of the probe moved by said movement means from a position where said edge detection means detects the one edge portion to a position where said edge detection means detects the other edge portion. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of measuring an interval between a plurality of edge portions present on a tested surface by using an apparatus comprising:
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a probe positioned opposite to the tested surface; detection means for detecting one of a working force and a tunnel current generated between the probe and the tested surface and for producing a detection output; edge detection means for receiving the detection output, for detecting the edge portions according to one of the working force and the tunnel current detected by said detection means and for producing an edge detection output; movement means for relatively moving said probe along the tested surface from one of the edge portions to another; movement distance detection means for detecting a relative distance of movement between said probe and the tested surface, and for producing a movement distance detection signal, said method comprising the steps of; detecting one of the edge portions by the edge detection means; relatively moving the probe from the one edge portion to the other by the movement means; detecting the other edge portion by the edge detection means; detecting a relative distance of movement between the probe and the tested surface by the movement distance detection means; producing a movement distance detection signal by the movement distance detection means; and measuring a relative distance of movement of the probe moved by said movement means from a position where the edge detection means detects the one edge portion to a position where said edge detection means detects the other edge portion in accordance with the edge detection output produced by the edge detection means and the movement distance detection signal produced by the movement distance detection means. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification