Patent ID: 6657203
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A misalignment inspection method comprising:a step of scanning an area with a charge beam, the area including a part of first and second marks in a sample including the first mark and the second mark which is formed in a layer upper than the first mark and is used for measuring a relative position relative to the first mark, on a substrate, and the first and second mark being arranged so as not to have an area overlapping each other in a measurement direction in which relative positions of the first and second marks are measured; a step of detecting first charged particles from the sample on a first line including the first mark; a step of detecting second charged particles from the sample on a second line including the second mark; a step of obtaining representative points of the first and second marks, based on signal waveforms obtained from the first and second charged particles, respectively; and a step of calculating a positional misalignment amount of the first and second marks, based on the representative points of the first and second marks.