Patent ID: 8339594
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring an edge profile of a semiconductor wafer using a device for measuring the profile in which included are: a distance measuring means for measuring distances to an edge region of the semiconductor wafer in such a manner that light is emitted from a light emitting part thereof to be reflected at the edge region of the semiconductor wafer and to be detected at a light receiving part thereof; a first swing mechanism swingably supporting the distance measuring means within a certain angular range; and a second swing mechanism having a swing axis at a position parallel to and at a predetermined distance to a swing axis of the first swing mechanism, the second swing mechanism swingably supporting the first swing mechanism within a certain angular range, the method comprising the steps of: placing the edge region of the semiconductor wafer within the range of measurement while maintaining the surfaces of the semiconductor wafer in parallel to the swing axis of the second swing mechanism; locating angles of the first swing mechanism each of which gives a maximum intensity of received light at each of predetermined angles of the second swing mechanism in such a manner that light is emitted from the light emitting part in the distance measuring means to be reflected at the edge region of the semiconductor wafer and intensities of received light are measured at the light receiving part; and calculating contour points using coordinate transformation based on distances measured by the distance measuring means at relevant angles of the first swing mechanism, angle information of the first swing mechanism, and predetermined angles of the second swing mechanism, thereby enabling points-related data to be acquired to represent a contour profile of the edge region of the semiconductor wafer.