Patent ID: 6421574
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices, the method comprising:(a) sending a production lot of wafers through a manufacturing process; (b) processing a layer of the production lot of wafers; (c) selecting at least one wafer from the production lot of wafers; (d) scanning the layer of the at least one selected wafer from the production lot in a scan tool to determine if there are defects present on the layer of the at least one selected wafer; (e) if defects are detected on the layer by the scan tool, sending defect information from the scan tool to an automatic defect classification system; (f) comparing the defect information to defect information stored in a defect management system from previous production lots of wafers; and (g) determining whether at least one additional wafer needs to be scanned in order to obtain accurate defectivity data.