Method of inspecting a pattern formed on a sample for a defect, and an apparatus thereof
First Claim
1. A pattern defect inspection method comprising:
- a light irradiating step of irradiating light on a sample on which a pattern is formed;
a light receive step of receiving a pattern image of the sample obtained by light irradiation by the light irradiating step;
an amplify step of amplifying an output from the light receive step;
a prepare step of preparing multi-valued design pattern image data from binary design data corresponding to the pattern image of the sample;
an offset adjust step of adjusting an offset of a light receive element amplifier, such that measurement data of a translucent portion which regards the translucent portion of the pattern formed on a surface of the sample as a non-transparent portion corresponds to design pattern image data corresponding to the translucent portion;
a gain adjust step of adjusting a gain of the light receive element amplifier, such that measurement data of a transparent portion of the pattern formed on the sample surface corresponds to design pattern image data corresponding to the transparent portion; and
an inspect step of inspecting the pattern formed on the sample surface for a defect, by comparing measurement data obtained from an output of the light receive element amplifier with design pattern image data, while the offset and gain being kept adjusted.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pattern defect inspection apparatus comprises a light irradiating portion, a light receive element, a light receive element amplifier, a preparation portion for preparing multi-valued design pattern image data, an offset adjusting portion, a gain adjusting portion, and an inspecting portion. The offset adjusting portion adjusts the offset of the light receive element amplifier such that measurement data of a translucent portion of a pattern on a sample surface corresponds to design pattern image data corresponding to the translucent portion, regarding the translucent portion as a non-transparent portion. The gain adjusting portion adjusts the gain of the light receive element amplifier such that measurement data of a transparent portion of the pattern on the sample surface corresponds to design pattern image data corresponding to the transparent portion.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A pattern defect inspection method comprising:
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a light irradiating step of irradiating light on a sample on which a pattern is formed; a light receive step of receiving a pattern image of the sample obtained by light irradiation by the light irradiating step; an amplify step of amplifying an output from the light receive step; a prepare step of preparing multi-valued design pattern image data from binary design data corresponding to the pattern image of the sample; an offset adjust step of adjusting an offset of a light receive element amplifier, such that measurement data of a translucent portion which regards the translucent portion of the pattern formed on a surface of the sample as a non-transparent portion corresponds to design pattern image data corresponding to the translucent portion; a gain adjust step of adjusting a gain of the light receive element amplifier, such that measurement data of a transparent portion of the pattern formed on the sample surface corresponds to design pattern image data corresponding to the transparent portion; and an inspect step of inspecting the pattern formed on the sample surface for a defect, by comparing measurement data obtained from an output of the light receive element amplifier with design pattern image data, while the offset and gain being kept adjusted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A pattern defect inspection method comprising:
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a design pattern data providing step of providing design pattern data used for forming a mask pattern; a measurement pattern data detecting step of detecting an image of the pattern formed on a sample, thereby to obtain measurement pattern data; a data adjusting step of adjusting the design pattern data accordance with a characteristic of a light shielding portion of the pattern, thereby to obtain reference design pattern data; and a data comparing step of comparing the measurement pattern data with reference design pattern data, thereby to determine presence or absence of a defect in the pattern, wherein said data adjusting step includes a step of making an offset which corresponds to a form of the measurement pattern data obtained and corresponding at least to the characteristic of the light shielding portion of the pattern, and which provides a level of data of the light shielding portion of the pattern among the design pattern data. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A pattern defect inspection method comprising:
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a light irradiating step of irradiating light on a sample on which a pattern is formed; a light receive step of receiving, through an optical system, a pattern image of the sample obtained by light irradiation by the light irradiating step; an amplify step of amplifying an output from the light receive step; an offset adjust step of adjusting an offset and a gain of a light receive element amplifier, in correspondence with a difference in an optical characteristic of the pattern formed on a surface of the sample; a prepare step of changing a convert function in correspondence with a difference in an optical characteristic of the pattern formed on the surface of the sample, and of preparing multi-valued design pattern image data from binary design data corresponding to the pattern image of the sample, with use of the convert function; and an inspect step of inspecting the pattern formed on the sample surface for a defect, by comparing measurement data obtained from an output of the light receive element amplifier with design pattern image data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification