Patent ID: 7424145
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: G01N,G03F,G06T

Abstract:
1. An inspection device that identifies defects on a subject of inspection including photomasks or products fabricated using photomasks, comprising: a reference data generator that generates reference data that is based on design data and includes sensitivity class codes that are used to differentiate designated pattern functions by inspection sensitivity; an inspection sensitivity setter that allocates desired inspection sensitivities for said sensitivity class codes; an image acquiring unit that detects an image of the subject of the inspection and generates data to be inspected; a comparator that compares said data to be inspected with said reference data and detects a defect; a reference data extractor that extracts a region of said reference data that corresponds to where said detected defect exists; a defect registration determinator that refers to said sensitivity class codes in said region and determines whether to register said defect; and a defect memory that records said defect for which registration has been determined, the defect registration determinator further: