Patent ID: 7443496
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: B82Y,G01N,G01R,H01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A defect inspection apparatus comprising: an illumination optical unit for obliquely illuminating an object with a slit-like shaped laser, the slit-like shaped laser being converged in one direction and collimated in a direction transverse to the one direction; a first detection optical unit including a first image sensor for detecting a first image formed by light reflected from the object by the illumination of the slit-like shaped laser and reflected in a first direction substantially normal to a surface of the object; a second detection optical unit including a second image sensor for detecting a second image formed by light reflected from the object by the illumination of the slit-like shaped laser and reflected in a second direction inclined to the normal direction to the surface of the object; an image signal processing unit which processes both of a signal outputted from the first detection optical unit by the detection of the first image and a signal outputted from the second detection optical unit by the detection of the second image; and an output unit which outputs information processed by the image signal processing unit; wherein the first detection optical unit includes a spatial filter which cuts off light reflected from patterns formed on the object; and wherein the second detection optical unit includes a variable spatial filter which cuts off light reflected from patterns formed on the object.