公开(公告)号：US06690469B1

公开(公告)日：2004-02-10

申请号：US09397334

申请日：1999-09-14

申请人： Yukihiro Shibata ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kenji Oka ,  Kenji Watanabe

发明人： Yukihiro Shibata ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kenji Oka ,  Kenji Watanabe

IPC分类号： G01J400

CPC分类号： G01N21/21 ,  G01N21/9501 ,  G01N21/956 ,  G01N21/95607 ,  G02B21/0016

摘要： A defect inspecting apparatus is disclosed that can detect finer defects with high resolution optical images of those defects, and which makes the difference in contrast greater between fine line patterns of a semiconductor device. The defect inspecting apparatus includes a sample mounting device for mounting a sample; lighting and detecting apparatus for illuminating a patterned sample mounted on a mount and detecting the optical image of the reflected light obtained therefrom. Also included is a display for displaying the optical image detected by this lighting and detecting apparatus; an optical parameter setting device for setting and displaying optical parameters for the lighting and detecting apparatus on the display; and optical parameter adjusting apparatus for adjusting optical parameters set for the lighting and detecting apparatus according to the optical parameters set by the optical parameter setting apparatus; a storage device for storing comparative image data; and a defect detecting device for detecting defects from patterns formed on the sample by comparing the optical image detected by the optical image detecting apparatus with the comparative image data stored in the storage.

摘要翻译： 公开了能够利用这些缺陷的高分辨率光学图像检测更细的缺陷的缺陷检查装置，并且使得半导体器件的细线图案之间的对比度差异更大。 缺陷检查装置包括用于安装样品的样品安装装置; 照明和检测装置，用于照亮安装在安装件上的图案样品，并检测由其获得的反射光的光学图像。 还包括用于显示由该照明和检测装置检测的光学图像的显示器; 用于在显示器上设置和显示照明和检测装置的光学参数的光学参数设置装置; 以及光学参数调整装置，用于根据由所述光学参数设定装置设定的光学参数来调整对所述照明和检测装置设定的光学参数; 用于存储比较图像数据的存储装置; 以及缺陷检测装置，用于通过将由光学图像检测装置检测的光学图像与存储在存储器中的比较图像数据进行比较来检测在样本上形成的图案的缺陷。

公开(公告)号：US07916929B2

公开(公告)日：2011-03-29

申请号：US12359452

申请日：2009-01-26

申请人： Shunji Maeda ,  Kenji Oka ,  Yukihiro Shibata ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Chie Shishido ,  Yuji Takagi ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi

发明人： Shunji Maeda ,  Kenji Oka ,  Yukihiro Shibata ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Chie Shishido ,  Yuji Takagi ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi

IPC分类号： G06K9/00

CPC分类号： G06T7/001 ,  G01N21/9501 ,  G01N21/95607 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T2207/30148

摘要： A method of inspecting patterns, including: adjusting a brightness of at least one of a first bright field image and a second bright field image detected from a specimen and directed to similar patterns on differing parts of the specimen, so as to more closely match a brightness; comparing the images which are adjusted in brightness to match with each other to detect dissimilarities indicative of a defect of the pattern, wherein in adjusting the brightness, the brightness between the first bright field image and the second bright field image is adjusted by performing a gradation conversion of at least one of the brightness between the first bright field image and the second bright field image; and wherein in the comparing, said defect of the pattern is detected by using information of a scattered diagram of brightness of the first bright field image and the second bright field image.

摘要翻译： 一种检查图案的方法，包括：调整从样本检测到的第一明视野图像和第二亮视场图像中的至少一个的亮度，并且针对样本的不同部分上的相似图案，以便更紧密地匹配 亮度; 将亮度调整后的图像进行比较以相互匹配，以检测表示图案缺陷的不相似性，其中在调整亮度时，通过执行渐变来调整第一亮场图像和第二亮视场图像之间的亮度 第一亮场图像和第二亮场图像之间的亮度中的至少一个的转换; 并且其中在所述比较中，通过使用所述第一亮场图像和所述第二亮视场图像的亮度的散射图的信息来检测所述图案的所述缺陷。

公开(公告)号：US20090214102A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-27

申请号：US12359452

申请日：2009-01-26

申请人： Shunji Maeda ,  Kenji Oka ,  Yukihiro Shibata ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Chie Shishido ,  Yuji Takagi ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi

发明人： Shunji Maeda ,  Kenji Oka ,  Yukihiro Shibata ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Chie Shishido ,  Yuji Takagi ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi

IPC分类号： G06K9/00

CPC分类号： G06T7/001 ,  G01N21/9501 ,  G01N21/95607 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T2207/30148

摘要： A method of inspecting patterns, including: adjusting a brightness of at least one of a first bright field image and a second bright field image detected from a specimen and directed to similar patterns on differing parts of the specimen, so as to more closely match a brightness; comparing the images which are adjusted in brightness to match with each other to detect dissimilarities indicative of a defect of the pattern, wherein in adjusting the brightness, the brightness between the first bright field image and the second bright field image is adjusted by performing a gradation conversion of at least one of the brightness between the first bright field image and the second bright field image; and wherein in the comparing, said defect of the pattern is detected by using information of a scattered diagram of brightness of the first bright field image and the second bright field image.

摘要翻译： 一种检查图案的方法，包括：调整从样本检测到的第一明视野图像和第二亮视场图像中的至少一个的亮度，并指示到样本的不同部分上的相似图案，以便更紧密地匹配 亮度; 将亮度调整后的图像进行比较以相互匹配，以检测表示图案缺陷的不相似性，其中在调整亮度时，通过执行渐变来调整第一亮场图像和第二亮视场图像之间的亮度 第一亮场图像和第二亮场图像之间的亮度中的至少一个的转换; 并且其中在所述比较中，通过使用所述第一亮场图像和所述第二亮视场图像的亮度的散射图的信息来检测所述图案的所述缺陷。

公开(公告)号：US07092095B2

公开(公告)日：2006-08-15

申请号：US10761493

申请日：2004-01-20

申请人： Yukihiro Shibata ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kenji Oka ,  Kenji Watanabe

发明人： Yukihiro Shibata ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kenji Oka ,  Kenji Watanabe

IPC分类号： G01J4/00

CPC分类号： G01N21/21 ,  G01N21/9501 ,  G01N21/956 ,  G01N21/95607 ,  G02B21/0016

摘要： A defect inspecting apparatus can detect finer defects with high resolution optical images of those defects. The apparatus includes a sample mounting device for mounting a sample; lighting and detecting apparatus for illuminating a patterned sample mounted on a mount and detecting the optical image of the reflected light obtained therefrom. A display displays the optical image detected by this lighting and detecting apparatus. An optical parameter setting device sets and displays optical parameters for the lighting and detecting apparatus on the display. An optical parameter adjusting apparatus adjusts optical parameters set for the lighting and detecting apparatus according to the optical parameters set by the optical parameter setting apparatus. A storage device stores comparative image data. A defect detecting device detects defects from patterns formed on the sample by comparing the optical image detected by the optical image detecting apparatus with the comparative image data stored in the storage.

摘要翻译： 缺陷检查装置可以利用这些缺陷的高分辨率光学图像检测更细的缺陷。 该装置包括用于安装样品的样品安装装置; 照明和检测装置，用于照亮安装在安装件上的图案样品，并检测由其获得的反射光的光学图像。 显示器显示由该照明和检测装置检测的光学图像。 光学参数设定装置在显示器上设置并显示照明和检测装置的光学参数。 光学参数调整装置根据由光学参数设定装置设定的光学参数来调整对照明和检测装置设定的光学参数。 存储装置存储比较图像数据。 缺陷检测装置通过将由光学图像检测装置检测的光学图像与存储在存储器中的比较图像数据进行比较来检测在样本上形成的图案的缺陷。

公开(公告)号：US06947587B1

公开(公告)日：2005-09-20

申请号：US09294137

申请日：1999-04-20

申请人： Shunji Maeda ,  Kenji Oka ,  Yukihiro Shibata ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Chie Shishido ,  Yuji Takagi ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi

发明人： Shunji Maeda ,  Kenji Oka ,  Yukihiro Shibata ,  Minoru Yoshida ,  Chie Shishido ,  Yuji Takagi ,  Atsushi Yoshida ,  Kazuo Yamaguchi

IPC分类号： G01N21/95 ,  G01N21/956 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06T7/00

CPC分类号： G06T7/001 ,  G01N21/9501 ,  G01N21/95607 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T2207/30148

摘要： A method of inspecting defects of a plurality of patterns that are formed on a substrate to have naturally the same shape. According to this method, in order to detect very small defects of the patterns with high sensitivity without being affected by irregular brightness due to the thickness difference between the patterns formed on a semiconductor wafer, a first pattern being inspected is detected to produce a first image of the first pattern, the first image is stored, a second pattern being inspected is detected to produce a second image of said second pattern, the stored first image and the second image are matched in brightness, and the brightness-matched first and second images are compared with each other so that the patterns can be inspected.

摘要翻译： 检查在基板上形成的具有自然相同形状的多个图案的缺陷的方法。 根据该方法，为了以高灵敏度检测图案的非常小的缺陷，不受由于在半导体晶片上形成的图案之间的厚度差而引起的不规则亮度的影响，检测出被检查的第一图案以产生第一图像 第一图案被存储，检测出被检查的第二图案以产生所述第二图案的第二图像，所存储的第一图像和第二图像的亮度相匹配，并且亮度匹配的第一和第二图像 彼此进行比较，从而可以检查图案。

公开(公告)号：US06456951B1

公开(公告)日：2002-09-24

申请号：US09553944

申请日：2000-04-21

申请人： Shunji Maeda ,  Yasuhiro Yoshitake ,  Kenji Oka ,  Masataka Shiba ,  Atsushi Shimoda

发明人： Shunji Maeda ,  Yasuhiro Yoshitake ,  Kenji Oka ,  Masataka Shiba ,  Atsushi Shimoda

IPC分类号： G06F1132

CPC分类号： H01L22/20 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  H01L2924/00

摘要： The present invention is related to an inspection data processing method for processing inspection data composed of coordinates data and characteristic quantity data about a defect generated on a subject of inspection detected with a visual inspection apparatus. The inspection data processing method comprises the following steps: a preparation step of storing a first fatality judgment data group corresponding to the kinds of areas on the subject of inspection and a second fatality judgment data group corresponding to categories of defects beforehand; a first fatality judgment step of judging a first fatality level of a defect corresponding to the kind of an area where the defect exists; a category giving step of giving category to the defect in the inspection data; and a second fatality judgment step of judging a second fatality of the defect based on second fatality judgment data selected according to the category which are given based on the first fatality level of defects judged in the first fatality judgment step.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及一种用于处理检查数据的检查数据处理方法，该检查数据由关于在用目视检查装置检测到的检查对象上产生的缺陷的坐标数据和特征量数据组成。 检查数据处理方法包括以下步骤：预先存储与检查对象的区域的种类对应的第一死亡判定数据组和对应于缺陷类别的第二死亡判定数据组的准备步骤; 判断与存在缺陷的区域的种类相对应的缺陷的第一死亡水平的第一死亡判定步骤; 类别给出检查数据中的缺陷类别的步骤; 以及第二死亡判定步骤，基于根据在第一死亡判定步骤中判断的缺陷的第一死亡水平给出的根据类别选择的第二死亡判定数据来判断缺陷的第二死亡。

公开(公告)号：US20080302964A1

公开(公告)日：2008-12-11

申请号：US12190388

申请日：2008-08-12

申请人： Hiroyuki Shinada ,  Mari Nozoe ,  Haruo Yoda ,  Kimiaki Ando ,  Katsuhiro Kuroda ,  Yutaka Kaneko ,  Maki Tanaka ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Hitoshi Kubota ,  Aritoshi Sugimoto ,  Katsuya Sugiyama ,  Atsuko Takafuji ,  Yusuke Yajima ,  Hiroshi Tooyama ,  Tadao Ino ,  Takashi Hiroi ,  Kazushi Yoshimura ,  Yasutsugu Usami

发明人： Hiroyuki Shinada ,  Mari Nozoe ,  Haruo Yoda ,  Kimiaki Ando ,  Katsuhiro Kuroda ,  Yutaka Kaneko ,  Maki Tanaka ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Hitoshi Kubota ,  Aritoshi Sugimoto ,  Katsuya Sugiyama ,  Atsuko Takafuji ,  Yusuke Yajima ,  Hiroshi Tooyama ,  Tadao Ino ,  Takashi Hiroi ,  Kazushi Yoshimura ,  Yasutsugu Usami

IPC分类号： G01N23/00 ,  G01R31/305

CPC分类号： G01R31/305 ,  G01R31/307 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J2237/2817

摘要： A circuit pattern inspection method and an apparatus therefor, in which the whole of a portion to be inspected of a sample to be inspected is made to be in a predetermined changed state, the portion to be inspected is irradiated with an image-forming high-density electron beam while scanning the electron beam, secondary charged particles are detected at a portion irradiated with the electron beam after a predetermined period of time from an instance when the electron beam is irradiated, an image is formed on the basis of the thus detected secondary charged particle signal, and the portion to be inspected is inspected by using the thus formed image.

摘要翻译： 电路图案检查方法及其装置，其中待检查的样品的待检查部分的整体部分处于预定的改变状态，被检查的部分用成像高分辨率照射， 在扫描电子束时，在从电子束照射的时刻起经过规定的时间后，在照射电子束的部分检测到二次带电粒子，根据这样检测的次级 通过使用如此形成的图像来检查带电粒子信号，并检查待检查的部分。

公开(公告)号：US20050052642A1

公开(公告)日：2005-03-10

申请号：US10893988

申请日：2004-07-20

申请人： Yukihiro Shibata ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Hitoshi Kubota

发明人： Yukihiro Shibata ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Hitoshi Kubota

IPC分类号： G01B11/30 ,  G01N21/13 ,  G01N21/15 ,  G01N21/88 ,  G01N21/95 ,  G01N21/956 ,  G06K9/00 ,  H01L21/66

CPC分类号： G01N21/9501 ,  G01N21/13 ,  G01N21/8806 ,  G01N21/95607 ,  G01N21/95623 ,  G01N2021/154 ,  G01N2021/8825 ,  G01N2021/9513

摘要： The present invention relates to a high-sensitivity inspection method and apparatus adapted for the fine-structuring of patterns, wherein defect inspection sensitivity is improved using the following technologies: detection optical system is improved in resolution by filling the clearance between an objective lens 30 and a sample 1, with a liquid, and increasing effective NA (Numerical Aperture); and when a transparent interlayer-insulating film is formed on the surface of the sample, amplitude splitting at the interface between the liquid and the insulating film is suppressed for reduction in the unevenness of optical images in brightness due to interference of thin-film, by immersing the clearance between the objective lens and the sample, with a liquid of a refractive index close to that of the transparent film.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及一种适用于图案精细化的高灵敏度检测方法和装置，其中使用以下技术提高了缺陷检查灵敏度：通过填充物镜30与物镜30之间的间隙来提高检测光学系统的分辨率。 样品1，具有液体，并且增加有效NA（数值孔径）; 并且当在样品的表面上形成透明的层间绝缘膜时，抑制液体与绝缘膜之间的界面处的振幅分裂，以减少由于薄膜的干扰引起的光学图像在亮度上的不均匀性，由 将物镜与样品之间的间隙浸入折射率接近于透明膜的液体。

公开(公告)号：US07599545B2

公开(公告)日：2009-10-06

申请号：US10893988

申请日：2004-07-20

申请人： Yukihiro Shibata ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Hitoshi Kubota

发明人： Yukihiro Shibata ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Hitoshi Kubota

IPC分类号： G06K9/00 ,  H04N7/18

CPC分类号： G01N21/9501 ,  G01N21/13 ,  G01N21/8806 ,  G01N21/95607 ,  G01N21/95623 ,  G01N2021/154 ,  G01N2021/8825 ,  G01N2021/9513

摘要： The present invention relates to a high-sensitivity inspection method and apparatus adapted for the fine-structuring of patterns, wherein defect inspection sensitivity is improved using the following technologies: detection optical system is improved in resolution by filling the clearance between an objective lens 30 and a sample 1, with a liquid, and increasing effective NA (Numerical Aperture); and when a transparent interlayer-insulating film is formed on the surface of the sample, amplitude splitting at the interface between the liquid and the insulating film is suppressed for reduction in the unevenness of optical images in brightness due to interference of thin-film, by immersing the clearance between the objective lens and the sample, with a liquid of a refractive index close to that of the transparent film.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及一种适用于图案精细化的高灵敏度检测方法和装置，其中使用以下技术提高了缺陷检查灵敏度：通过填充物镜30与物镜30之间的间隙来提高检测光学系统的分辨率。 样品1，具有液体，并且增加有效NA（数值孔径）; 并且当在样品的表面上形成透明的层间绝缘膜时，抑制液体与绝缘膜之间的界面处的振幅分裂，以减少由于薄膜的干扰引起的光学图像在亮度上的不均匀性，由 将物镜与样品之间的间隙浸入折射率接近于透明膜的液体。

公开(公告)号：US07417444B2

公开(公告)日：2008-08-26

申请号：US11269617

申请日：2005-11-09

申请人： Hiroyuki Shinada ,  Mari Nozoe ,  Haruo Yoda ,  Kimiaki Ando ,  Katsuhiro Kuroda ,  Yutaka Kaneko ,  Maki Tanaka ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Hitoshi Kubota ,  Aritoshi Sugimoto ,  Katsuya Sugiyama ,  Atsuko Takafuji ,  Yusuke Yajima ,  Hiroshi Tooyama ,  Tadao Ino ,  Takashi Hiroi ,  Kazushi Yoshimura ,  Yasutsugu Usami

发明人： Hiroyuki Shinada ,  Mari Nozoe ,  Haruo Yoda ,  Kimiaki Ando ,  Katsuhiro Kuroda ,  Yutaka Kaneko ,  Maki Tanaka ,  Shunji Maeda ,  Hitoshi Kubota ,  Aritoshi Sugimoto ,  Katsuya Sugiyama ,  Atsuko Takafuji ,  Yusuke Yajima ,  Hiroshi Tooyama ,  Tadao Ino ,  Takashi Hiroi ,  Kazushi Yoshimura ,  Yasutsugu Usami

IPC分类号： G01R31/305 ,  H01J37/28

CPC分类号： G01R31/305 ,  G01R31/307 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J2237/2817

摘要： A circuit pattern inspection method and an apparatus therefor, in which the whole of a portion to be inspected of a sample to be inspected is made to be in a predetermined charged state, the portion to be inspected is irradiated with an image-forming high-density electron beam while scanning the electron beam, secondary charged particles are detected at a portion irradiated with the electron beam after a predetermined period of time from an instance when the electron beam is irradiated, an image is formed on the basis of the thus detected secondary charged particle signal, and the portion to be inspected is inspected by using the thus formed image.

摘要翻译： 一种电路图案检查方法及其装置，其中待检查样品的待检查部分的整个部分被制成处于预定的充电状态，被检查的部分用图像形成高分辨率照射， 在扫描电子束时，在从电子束照射的时刻起经过规定的时间后，在照射电子束的部分检测到二次带电粒子，根据这样检测的次级 通过使用如此形成的图像来检查带电粒子信号，并检查待检查的部分。