Patent ID: 6016562
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: G01R,H01L

Abstract:
An inspection data analyzing apparatus for in-line inspection, which analyzes each one of detected defect data signals which are obtained on a semiconductor wafer and stored to generate stored detected defect data signals for each one of inspection steps which follows a corresponding optional step of semiconductor manufacturing steps, comprising:(a) means for generating defect data analysis processing result signals which are related to a first one of said inspection steps, based on said stored detected defect data signals at said first one of said inspection steps, and generating subsequent defect data analysis processing result signals which are related to subsequent inspection steps, respectively, based on stored detected defect data signals at said subsequent inspection steps, respectively; and(b) means for comparing said stored detected defect data signals at any of said inspection steps after said first inspection step with defect data analysis processing result signals which are related to a precedent one of said inspection steps which is immediately precedent to a current one of said inspection steps, to thereby generate defect data analysis processing result signals regarding said current one of said inspection steps;wherein said defect data analysis processing result signals of said current one of said inspection steps comprise disappeared defect data signals and non-disappeared defect data signals,said disappeared defect data signals provide data which are related to at least a disappeared defect which is judged as disappeared if said disappeared defect is detected at any one of said inspection steps which is prior to said current one of said inspection steps but is not detected at said current one of said inspection steps,and said non-disappeared defect data signals provide data which are related to at least a non-disappeared defect which can be judged as non-disappeared since said non-disappeared defect is detected at said current one of said inspection steps.