Patent ID: 6566654
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A method of inspecting a circuit pattern for defects and analyzing the defects, said method comprising the steps of:irradiating first and second regions in a circuit pattern formed on a semiconductor wafer with an electron beam, during circuit pattern forming processes; forming images of the irradiated first and second regions through the detection of secondary electrons emitted as a result of irradiation with the electron beam; detecting a difference between the formed images of the irradiated first and second regions as a defect in the circuit pattern formed on a semiconductor wafer; determining a position of the defect; locating a microsample including the defect on the basis of the determined position of the defect and cutting out the microsample from the semiconductor wafer; thinning a portion of the microsample cut out to form a thin portion for observation; and observing the thin portion of the microsample with an electron microscope to determine causes of the defect.