IP Library Granted Patent US 8,160,352
Granted Patent B2
US 8,160,352 · App. 12/964,833 · Granted Apr 17, 2012

Surface inspection method and surface inspection apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,160,352
App. No.
12/964,833
Granted
Apr 17, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A surface inspection apparatus capable of acquiring scattered light intensity distribution information for each scattering azimuth angle, and detecting foreign matters and defects with high sensitivity. A concave mirror for condensation and another concave mirror for image formation are used to cope with a broad cubic angle. Since mirrors for condensation and image formation are used, a support for clamping the periphery of a lens is unnecessary, and an effective aperture area does not decrease. A plurality of azimuth-wise detection optical systems is disposed and reflected light at all azimuths can be detected by burying the entire periphery without calling for specific lens polishing. A light signal unification unit sums digital data from a particular system corresponding to a scattering azimuth designated in advance in the systems for improving an S/N ratio.

Claims (40)

1. A substrate inspection apparatus comprising:

an irradiating system which irradiates said substrate with first light;

a detection system which detects second light from said substrate irradiated with the first light; and

a processing system which detects an anomaly of said substrate based on a detection result of said detection system;

wherein said detection system includes

a reflection system which reflects said second light at least two times to form an image; and

a photoelectric conversion system which detects the image formed by said reflection system.

2. A substrate inspection apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein said reflection system includes a plurality of first reflection units arranged at a plurality of azimuth angles, respectively, with respect to said substrate.

3. A substrate inspection apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein said plurality of first reflecting units define substantially a first rotational paraboloid surface.

4. A substrate inspection apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein said reflection system includes a plurality of second reflecting units arranged at higher angle of elevation than said plurality of first reflecting units, and at positions corresponding to said plurality of azimuth angles.

5. A substrate inspection apparatus according to claim 4 ,

wherein said plurality of second reflecting units define substantially a second rotational paraboloid surface.

6. A substrate inspection apparatus according to claim 4 ,

wherein said photoelectric conversion system includes a plurality of detection units arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of said plurality of second reflecting units, and

wherein said detection units detect light a plurality of images formed by said plurality of second reflecting units.

7. A substrate inspection apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein said reflection system includes at least two curved mirrors.

8. A substrate inspection method comprising:

using an irradiating system to irradiate said substrate with first light;

using a detection system to detect second light from said substrate irradiated with the first light; and

using a processing system to detect an anomaly of said substrate based on a detection result of said detection system;

wherein said detection system includes

a reflection system which reflects said second light at least two times to form an image; and

a photoelectric conversion system which detects the image formed by said reflection system.

9. A substrate inspection method according to claim 8 ,

wherein said reflection system includes a plurality of first reflection units arranged at a plurality of azimuth angles, respectively, with respect to said substrate.

10. A substrate inspection method according to claim 9 ,

wherein said plurality of first reflecting units define substantially a first rotational paraboloid surface.

11. A substrate inspection method according to claim 9 ,

wherein said reflection system includes a plurality of second reflecting units arranged at higher angle of elevation than said plurality of first reflecting units, and at positions corresponding to said plurality of azimuth angles.

12. A substrate inspection method according to claim 11 ,

wherein said plurality of second reflecting units define substantially a second rotational paraboloid surface.

13. A substrate inspection method according to claim 11 ,

wherein said photoelectric conversion system includes a plurality of detection units arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of said plurality of second reflecting units, and

wherein said detection units detect light a plurality of images formed by said plurality of second reflecting units.

14. A substrate inspection method according to claim 8 ,

wherein said reflection system includes at least two curved mirrors.

Assignments (1)
CHANGE OF NAME AND ADDRESS Recorded Mar 30, 2020
From: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052259/0227 →