Patent ID: 6774987
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: G01N,G01R,G06T,H01L

Abstract:
A surface inspection method for inspecting a pattern formed at a surface of a test piece, comprising:a first step in which a plurality of inspection conditions that are different from each other are set; a second step in which light from the surface of the test piece is detected by irradiating illumination light onto the surface of the test piece under each of said plurality of inspection conditions; a third step in which a plurality of sets of detection information corresponding to said plurality of inspection conditions are generated based upon an image of the surface formed by condensing specific diffracted light from the surface of the test piece under each of said plurality of different inspection conditions; a fourth step in which a logical OR of said plurality of sets of detection information is obtained; and a fifth step in which a decision is made as to whether or not said pattern at the surface of the test piece is acceptable based upon results of the logical OR.