Voltage contrast method for semiconductor inspection using low voltage particle beam

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6344750
SERIAL NO

09227395

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Abstract

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Defects in a patterned substrate are detected by inspection with a charged particle beam inspection tool which generates an image of a portion of the patterned substrate and compares the image with a reference in order to identify any defects in the patterned substrate. Parameters of the tool are optimized to improve image uniformity and contrast, particularly voltage contrast. Prior to imaging an area of the substrate, the tool charges an area surrounding the image area to eliminate or reduce the effects caused by asymmetrical charging in the surrounding area. The tool alternates between charging the surrounding area and imaging the image area to produce a plurality of images of the image area, which are then averaged. The result is a highly uniform image with improved contrast for accurate defect detection.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
APPLIED MATERIALS INC3050 BOWERS AVE SANTA CLARA CA 95054

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Kanai, Kenichi Palo Alto, CA 46 694
Lo, Chiwoei Wayne Campbell, CA 14 1322

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