The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2007

Filed:

Aug. 05, 2005
Applicants:

Fumihiro Sasajima, Hitachinaka, JP;

Osamu Komuro, Hitachinaka, JP;

Fumio Mizuno, Tokorozawa, JP;

Inventors:

Fumihiro Sasajima, Hitachinaka, JP;

Osamu Komuro, Hitachinaka, JP;

Fumio Mizuno, Tokorozawa, JP;

Assignee:

Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 23/225 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

The edges of the reticle are detected with respect to the microstructured patterns exposed by the stepper, and the shapes of the microstructured patterns at the surface and at the bottom of the photoresist are detected. The microstructured patterns are evaluated by calculating, and displaying on the screen, the dislocation vector that represents the relationship in position between the detected patterns on the surface and at the bottom of the photoresist. Furthermore, dislocation vectors between the microstructured patterns at multiple positions in a single-chip or single-shot area or on one wafer are likewise calculated, then the sizes and distribution status of the dislocation vectors at each such position are categorized as characteristic quantities, and the corresponding tendencies are analyzed. Thus, stepper or wafer abnormality is detected.


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