Patent ID: 7535562
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A defect inspection apparatus, comprising: illuminating means for irradiating an inspection-target object with light; image forming means for forming an image of said light reflected by said inspection-target object; imaging means for imaging said image formed by said image forming means; defect detecting means for detecting a defect on said inspection-target object on the basis of a picture acquired by said imaging means; and light shielding means for permitting said light from said illuminating means to pass through said light shielding means, and irradiating said inspection-target object with said light, said light shielding means including a mechanism which allows switching of pattern configuration of a light shielding portion, wherein said light shielding means is means for dividing a light-transmission plane into a plurality of small apertures, and switching light-shield/light-transmission for said small apertures.