Patent ID: 7098052
Filing Date: 2006-08-29
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for the detection and classification of defects in a silicon or semi-conductor structure comprising the steps of: directing a high intensity beam of light at a surface of a sample of silicon or semi-conductor structure to be tested; producing a first photoluminescence (“PL”) image from photoluminescence produced by excitation of the silicon or semi-conductor structure by the light beam; producing a second reflected light (“SM”) image from light reflected from the surface of the silicon or semi-conductor structure from the light beam; combining information in the said two images wherein said two images are analyzed statistically by digitizing and co-processing by performing the steps of generating a digitized intensity measurement representative of the intensity of the first, PL image; generating a digitized intensity measurement representative of the intensity of the second, SM image; numerically comparing the digitized intensity measurements to produce a combined result; comparing the combined result with reference data about defect behavior to characterize the defects detected to produce a defect map whereby the detected defects are both mapped spatially and identified or characterized.