Contaminant detection system, contaminant detecting method, and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus

A contaminant detection system includes a light source configured to emit excitation light on an object to be inspected; a detector configured to detect fluorescence emitted from a contaminant adhering to the object to be inspected; and a processor. The fluorescence is caused by emission of the excitation light from the light source onto the object to be inspected. The processor is configured to perform a determination of a location of the contaminant and a type of the contaminant, based on the fluorescence emitted from the contaminant; and output a result of the determination.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-074356 filed on Apr. 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a contaminant detection system, a contaminant detecting method, programs, and a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.

BACKGROUND

For example, in a conventional inspection apparatus for detecting foreign matter adhering to a container, an image of fluorescence emitted by contaminants was taken by irradiating the inner surface of the container with excitation light, and the foreign matter adhering to the inner surface of the container was detected from the image (see Patent Document 1, for example).

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a technique for determining the location and type of a foreign matter adhering to an object to be inspected.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a contaminant detection system for detecting contaminants adhering to an object to be inspected. The contaminant detection system includes a light source configured to emit excitation light on the object to be inspected; a detector configured to detect fluorescence emitted from the contaminants adhering to the object to be inspected; and a processor. The fluorescence is caused by emission of the excitation light from the light source onto the object to be inspected. The processor is configured to perform a determination of the location of the contaminants and a type of the contaminant, based on the fluorescence emitted by the contaminants; and output a result of the determination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments to be described below, examples of a contaminant detection system for detecting foreign material adhering to a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus will be described. However, a target to be inspected is not limited to a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. The following embodiments are applicable to a variety of objects that are to be inspected for the presence of any foreign matter. Foreign matter mentioned in the embodiments of the present disclosure are contaminants, which emits fluoresces when irradiated with excitation light. Examples of the contaminants include organic contaminants, fat-based contaminants, ceramic-based contaminants, quartz-based contaminants, and metal oxide-based contaminants. Additional examples of the contaminants include particulate contaminants, stains with liquid deposits, and deposited (coated) stains.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a contaminant detection system according to a first embodiment. The contaminant detection system1illustrated inFIG.1is configured by a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10, a display device12, an on-premises server14, and a cloud server16, which are interconnected via a communicable network18such as a local area network (LAN).

The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10is an example of an object to be inspected as to the presence of contaminants. In addition to the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10, a flat panel display (FPD) manufacturing device is also an example of the object to be inspected as to the presence of contaminants. In the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10, during a semiconductor manufacturing process or the like, adhesion of contaminants may occur, which may reduce the yield rate. Accordingly, a maintenance operation in the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10is performed in order to avoid reductions in yield rate caused by contaminants.

The contaminant detection system1according to the present embodiment is provided with a light source24and a camera26, which are used to visualize contaminants adhering to the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10during maintenance work.FIG.1illustrates a case in which the light source24and the camera26are installed on a transfer arm22used for transporting a substrate within the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10. The light source24and the camera26may be disposed on (attached to) the transfer arm22, as illustrated inFIG.2. Alternatively, the light source24and the camera26may be installed at a robotic arm other than the transfer arm22.FIG.2is a diagram illustrating an example of an installation location of the light source24and the camera26seen from an opposite side of the surface of the transfer arm22on which a substrate is placed.

A location at which the light source24and the camera26are installed is not limited to the transfer arm22. The light source24and the camera26may be installed within the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10in a stationary manner or movably, or may be installed outside the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10in a stationary manner or movably. The light source24and the camera26may also be provided on a head-mounted display (HMD) such as augmented reality (AR) glasses for which AR can be utilized, or in a device that can be held by a technician performing the maintenance operation.

The light source24emits excitation light onto a region in which presence of contaminants is to be inspected. In the following description, the region in which presence of contaminants is to be inspected may be referred to as an “inspection target area”. The light source24may include, for example, a UV light. The light source24may be configured by Polarion light that filters out light in a visible light range of 400 nm or greater wavelength with a filter or a special glass called wood glass. The light source24may also employ a light emitting diode. The inspection target area may be inside or outside the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10.

The excitation light is a generic term for light that causes excitation of a substance. Ultraviolet (UV) light is an example of the excitation light. When excitation light is emitted on a substance such as a contaminant30, the substance fluoresces after the substance transits to the excitation state by absorbing energy of the excitation light and when the substance returns to the ground state.

The camera26captures the inspection target area on which the excitation light is emitted. For example, if a material such as the contaminant30adheres to the inspection target area, the camera26can capture fluorescence emitted from the contaminant30in response to exposure to the excitation light.

An edge computer20determines the location of the contaminant30and identifies the type of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area, based on the fluorescence captured by the camera26. Details of processes of determining the location of the contaminant30and the type of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area based on the fluorescence captured by the camera26will be described below. The edge computer20stores the determination results of the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area and the type of the contaminant30into a storage section. The edge computer20outputs (performs display control of) the determination results of the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area and the type of the contaminant30, to the display device12.

The display device12displays the determination results of the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area and the type of the contaminant30, which is obtained by the edge computer20. The display device12may be implemented by a computer monitor or a head-mounted display device. The head-mounted display device is a display device attached to the head of a technician. In addition, by using an AR technique, the display device12can display, as a virtual image, an image on which the determination results of the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area and the type of the contaminant30are superimposed on an actual image of the inspection target area. The image (i.e., virtual image) on which the determination results of the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area and the type of the contaminant30are superimposed on the actual image of the inspection target area can be used, for example, as a screen for maintenance work (may also be referred to as a “maintenance screen”) viewed by a technician during his/her maintenance work. Details of the maintenance screen will be described below.

Part or all of the above-described processes of the edge computer20may be performed by the on-premises server14or the cloud server16that is communicably connected to the edge computer20via the network18.

For example, in the contaminant detection system1ofFIG.1, control of the light source24and the camera26, display control of images to be displayed on the display device12, determination of the location and type of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area, and maintenance work support, may be performed by the edge computer20, and storage of the determination results of the location and type of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area, and storage of information for analysis of a maintenance work history, may be performed by the on-premises server14or the cloud server16. Also, at least one of the on-premises server14and the cloud server16may be omitted.

The on-premises server14is an example of a server computer in an on-premises environment. The cloud server16is an example of a server computer in a cloud computing environment. Further, as the configuration of the contaminant detection system1illustrated inFIG.1is an example, it is needless to say that there are various examples of the system configuration depending on the application and purpose of the contaminant detection system1. The configuration of the contaminant detection system1as illustrated inFIG.1, in which the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10, the edge computer20, the on-premises server14, and the cloud server16are present, is also an example.

For example, the contaminant detection system1may be configured such that the edge computer20is omitted and that the above-mentioned functions of the edge computer20is implemented by the on-premises server14or the cloud server16. In addition, the contaminant detection system1ofFIG.1may further be divided. The contaminant detection system1may take various other configurations. Alternatively, a single on-premises server14or cloud server16may perform functions of the edge computers20in the respective semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses10.

The on-premises server14, the cloud server16, and the edge computer20in the contaminant detection system1illustrated inFIG.1are implemented by, for example, a computer500having the hardware configuration as illustrated inFIG.3.FIG.3is an example of the hardware configuration diagram of the computer500.

The computer500illustrated inFIG.3includes an input device501, an output device502, an external interface (I/F)503, a random access memory (RAM)504, a read only memory (ROM)505, a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU)506, a communication I/F507, and a hard disk drive (HDD)508, each of which is interconnected by a bus B. The input device501and the output device502may be connected and utilized when necessary.

The input device501may be a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or the like, and is used by a technician to input each operation signal. The output device502is a display or the like, and displays the results of processing by the computer500. The communication I/F507is an interface for connecting the computer500to the network18. The HDD508is an example of a non-volatile storage device (storage section), which stores programs and data.

The external I/F503is an interface with an external device. The computer500may read and/or write data from/to a recording medium503a, such as a Secure Digital (SD) memory card, via the external I/F503. The computer500can perform display control of the display device12, such as a head-mounted display, through the external I/F503. The ROM505is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) in which programs and data are stored. The RAM504is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily retains programs and data.

The CPU506is an arithmetic processing device that realizes overall control of the computer500and realizes functions of the computer500, by loading programs and data into the RAM504from the storage devices, such as the ROM505and the HDD508, and by executing the programs.

Various functions of the on-premises server14, the cloud server16, and the edge computer20in the contaminant detection system1illustrated inFIG.1can be implemented by the hardware components of the computer500illustrated inFIG.3.

<Determination of Location and Type of Contaminant Adhering to Inspection Target Area>

The determination of the location and type of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area can be performed as follows, for example.FIGS.4A and4Bare diagrams illustrating visualization of a contaminant adhering to an inspection target area. Generally, an event in which the contaminant30can be seen by a person is a phenomenon in which light is reflected by the contaminant30and in which a person recognizes the light31reflected by the contaminant30(may also be referred to as “reflected light31”).

As the size of the contaminant30becomes smaller, the intensity of the reflected light31decreases, as illustrated inFIG.4A. Therefore, the difference between the intensity of the reflected light31and the intensity of the light33reflected by the surface32, such as a wall surface, becomes smaller, and thus the reflected light31cannot be recognized easily by a person such as a technician.

FIG.4Billustrates a case of radiating, on the contaminant30, ultraviolet light which is invisible light, as excitation light. The contaminant30, on which ultraviolet light as the excitation light is radiated, absorbs the ultraviolet light and emits fluorescence, which is visible light, as the reflected light34. Because the light33reflected by the surface32, such as a wall surface, is ultraviolet light which is invisible, the reflected light34from the contaminant30, which is visible light, is conspicuously visible, and the contaminant30can be easily recognized by a person such as a technician. As described above, in the contaminant detection system1according to the present embodiment, the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area can be determined by observing the reflected light34from the contaminant30, which is visible light.

The color (wavelength) of fluorescence emitted from the contaminant30that is irradiated with ultraviolet light as the excitation light depends on the composition of the contaminant30(type of the contaminant30). Accordingly, in the present embodiment, by using the mapping information as illustrated inFIG.5, which represents a correlation between color (wavelength) of emitted fluorescence and a set of a type of a contaminant and a cleaning method suitable for the type of the corresponding contaminant30, the type of the contaminant30and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30are determined from the color (wavelength) of the fluorescence emitted from the contaminant30.

FIG.5is a diagram illustrating an example of information representing mappings between color (wavelength) of emitted fluorescence and a set of a type of a contaminant and a cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant.FIG.5illustrates an example in which, if the wavelength of emitted fluorescence is smaller than 500 nm, the type of the contaminant30is “organic” and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30is “wiping with alcohol (IPA, ethanol, etc.), or removal with a steam cleaner”.

FIG.5also illustrates an example in which, if the wavelength of emitted fluorescence is equal to or longer than 500 nm and shorter than 610 nm, the type of the contaminant30is “fat-based” and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30is “wiping with alcohol (IPA, ethanol, etc.), or removal with a steam cleaner”. In addition,

FIG.5illustrates an example in which, if the wavelength of emitted fluorescent is equal to or longer than 610 nm, the type of the contaminant30is “ceramic-based, quartz-based, or metal oxide-based” and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30is “wiping with alcohol (IPA, ethanol, etc.) and removal with a steam cleaner, vacuum cleaner, or dry ice cleaning method”. The cleaning methods illustrated inFIG.5are well-known techniques. For example, cleaning methods described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2010-129966 may be used. In Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2010-129966, as methods of cleaning a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, cleaning by wiping with a non-woven cloth using ethanol and dry wiping, cleaning with a cleaning apparatus for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus using steam (e.g., steam cleaner), and the like, are described. The vacuum cleaner is a cleaning apparatus for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, which draws contaminants30. In addition, dry ice cleaning is a cleaning method in which dry ice particles are sprayed on contaminants30for removal.

In addition, the intensity of fluorescence emitted from the contaminant30irradiated with ultraviolet light as excitation light depends on the size of the contaminant30. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, for example, the intensity of fluorescence emitted from a contaminant30of a reference size when excitation light is radiated onto the contaminant30of a reference size is measured in advance. In the present embodiment, this intensity of fluorescence is referred to as “reference size intensity”. When the size of a certain contaminant30is to be determined, the intensity of fluorescence emitted from the certain contaminant30is measured by radiating excitation light onto the certain contaminant30, and by comparing the intensity of fluorescence measured from the certain contaminant30with the reference size intensity, the size of the certain contaminant30is determined.

In the edge computer20of the contaminant detection system1according to the present embodiment, for example, multiple functional blocks illustrated inFIG.6are implemented.FIG.6is an example of a functional block diagram illustrating the functional blocks implemented in the edge computer of the contaminant detection system according to the present embodiment. In the functional block diagram illustrated inFIG.6, illustration of functional elements that are not necessary for the description of the present embodiment is omitted.

The processor in the edge computer20executes a program for the edge computer20to realize a control section50, a determination section52, an output section54, a correspondence information storage section56, a determination result storage section58, and a maintenance work history storage section60.

The control section50controls an entirety of processes of contaminant detection and maintenance work support according to the present embodiment. For example, the control section50controls operations of the light source24to emit excitation light onto an inspection target area, and controls operations of the camera26to capture an image of the inspection target area irradiated with the excitation light.

The determination section52receives image data of the image captured by the camera26. If a contaminant30is adhering to the inspection target area, the image captured by the camera26includes fluorescence emitted by the contaminant30. The determination section52analyzes the image data received from the camera26, to determine the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area by recognizing the fluorescence included in the image of the inspection target area.

Further, by using the mapping information as illustrated inFIG.5, which is stored in the correspondence information storage section56, the determination section52determines the type of the contaminant30and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30, based on the color (wavelength) of the fluorescence included in the image of the inspection target area. After the determination section52determines the location of the contaminant30adhering to the determined inspection target area, the type of the contaminant30, and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30, the determination section52stores the determined location of the contaminant30adhering to the determined inspection target area, the type of the contaminant30, and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30into the determination result storage section58.

The output section54includes a determination result display control section62, a cleaning operation detecting section64, and a cleaning support information display control section66. The determination result display control section62displays the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area, the type of the contaminant30, and a cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30, which have been determined by the determination section52, on the display device12, as the determination result.

The cleaning operation detecting section64uses motion capture or the like to detect movement of a technician. For example, the movement of hands of the technician performing a cleaning work is detected. The cleaning support information display control section66displays a maintenance screen on the display device12to support a maintenance work by a technician. In the maintenance screen, for example, an area in the actual image of the inspection target area, to which a contaminant30is adhering, is colored. Accordingly, the area in which cleaning is required can be indicated to a technician.

Further, based on the result of detection performed by the cleaning operation detecting section64, the cleaning support information display control section66estimates progress of the cleaning work of the technician, and indicates the progress of the cleaning work to the technician on the maintenance screen by gradually decoloring an area where the cleaning support information display control section66estimates that the cleaning work is completed, or by gradually changing the color of an area where the cleaning support information display control section66estimates that the cleaning work is completed. When it is determined (estimated) that cleaning of the entire area is completed, information indicating the completion of cleaning of the area is displayed on the maintenance screen to inform the technician of the completion of cleaning. The completion of cleaning may also be reported to the technician by voice. The output section54stores information about the maintenance work performed by the technician into the maintenance work history storage section60as information for analysis of the maintenance work history.

FIG.7is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the contaminant detection system according to the present embodiment. For example, a technician who performs the maintenance work operates the edge computer20to activate an information collection mode on the edge computer20. When the edge computer20receives, from the technician, the operation to activate the information collection mode, the edge computer20starts processing of the information collection mode (step S10).

Here, a case in which an inspection target area is the interior of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10is described. The control section50of the edge computer20controls operations of the light source24to radiate excitation light on the interior of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10(inspection target area) as illustrated inFIG.8, for example.FIG.8is a schematic view illustrating an example of the inspection target area in which a contaminant detection is performed. The control section50also controls operations of the camera26so as to capture images of the inspection target area on which the excitation light is radiated.

There are various ways in which the light source24and the camera26may be installed. For example, when the light source24and the camera26installed in the transfer arm22are used as illustrated inFIG.2, the control section50controls (i.e., moves the position of) the transfer arm22such that excitation light is radiated on the inspection target area and that images of the inspection target area on which the excitation light is radiated is captured. Alternatively, if the light source24and the camera26are installed within the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10so as to be movable, the control section50controls a lighting direction of the light source24so as to emit excitation light to the inspection target area, and controls a photographing direction of the camera26so as to capture the inspection target area on which the excitation light is radiated. In the case of using the light source24and the camera26mounted on a hand-held device used by a technician, the technician adjusts the orientation of the hand-held device so that the excitation light is directed to the inspection target area and images of the inspection target area on which the excitation light is radiated can be appropriately captured.

In step S12, the determination section52of the edge computer20receives image data of the image captured by the camera26(i.e., image of an inspection target area on which excitation light is radiated), and performs contaminant determination processing according to the procedure illustrated inFIG.9.

FIG.9is a flowchart illustrating an example of the contaminant determination processing. In step S30, the determination section52analyzes the image data captured by the camera26, to recognize emission of fluorescence contained in the image of the inspection target area that is illuminated by the excitation light. The determination section52may exclude fluorescence emitted from an object other than the contaminant30from the image data captured by the camera26, by comparing the image data captured by the camera26with image data of an image of the inspection target area on which the excitation light is radiated when no contaminant is present in the inspection target area.

In step S32, the determination section52determines a location in the image of the inspection target area, from which the fluorescence is emitted, as the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area. In step S34, the determination section52determines the type of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area and a cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30, based on the color (wavelength) of the fluorescence at the location of the contaminant30determined in step S32, and based on the mapping information inFIG.5.

In step S36, the determination section52stores the image data captured by the camera26, the location of the contaminant30determined in step S32, the type of the contaminant30determined in step S34, and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30determined in step S34, into the determination result storage section58.

After completion of the processing of the information collection mode in step S10and the contaminant determination processing in step S12, the technician can perform, for example, an operation to activate, in the edge computer20, an analysis mode or a contaminated area display mode (step S14). In a case in which the determination result display control section62of the edge computer20receives the operation to activate the analysis mode from the technician in step S14, the edge computer20starts display processing in the analysis mode (step S16).

In the display processing in the analysis mode of step S16, the determination result display control section62causes the display device12to display, for example, an analysis screen as illustrated inFIG.10, in order to output (display), as a determination result, the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area and the type of the contaminant30determined by the determination section52.

FIG.10is a schematic view illustrating an example of the analysis screen. In the analysis screen ofFIG.10, the estimated size and composition (type) of the contaminant30are displayed on an information box100, and an area102to which the contaminant30is adhering is colored. In the analysis screen ofFIG.10, a representative image104corresponding to the estimated contaminant30may be displayed by referring to an external database or the like.

In a case in which the determination result display control section62receives an operation to activate the contaminated area display mode from the technician in step S14, the determination result display control section62starts, in step S18, display processing in the contaminated area display mode. The determination result display control section62causes the display device12to display a contaminated area display mode screen, using the image data captured by the camera26and stored in the determination result storage section58, the location of the contaminant30determined in step S32, the type of the contaminant30determined in step S34, and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30determined in step S34.

FIG.11is a schematic view illustrating an example of the contaminated area display mode screen. The contaminated area display mode screen ofFIG.11illustrates an example of a screen made by superimposing an image including multiple colored areas110indicating areas to which the contaminants30are adhering, on the actual image of the inspection target area illustrated inFIG.8. On the contaminated area display mode screen ofFIG.11, the types of the contaminants30adhering to the respective colored areas110and the cleaning methods suitable for the respective types of contaminants30may further be displayed.

For example, if the display device12is a head-mounted display, the contaminated area display mode screen as illustrated inFIG.11is displayed in the technician's sight. As the technician approaches any one of the areas110displayed on the contaminated area display mode screen, the edge computer20enters a cleaning support mode (step S20), to start cleaning support processing.

The cleaning support information display control section66causes the display device12, such as a head-mounted display, to display a cleaning support mode screen for the area110that the technician approaches.FIG.12is a schematic view illustrating an example of transition of the cleaning support mode screen.

The cleaning support mode screen ofFIG.12illustrates an example in which the area110that the technician approaches is displayed in an enlarged view. The cleaning operation detecting section64uses motion capture or the like to detect the movement of the technician (for example, the movement of the technician's hand during cleaning work). The cleaning support information display control section66estimates the progress of the cleaning work for the area110, based on the movement of the technician's hand detected by the cleaning operation detecting section64. As illustrated in the diagram (a) ofFIG.12, the cleaning support information display control section66changes color of a portion of the area110, which is estimated (determined) that the cleaning work has been completed, from a first color (e.g., red) indicating that the cleaning work has not been completed to a second color (e.g., green) different from the first color indicating that the cleaning work has been completed.

When the entirety of the area110is changed to the second color (e.g., green) indicating that the cleaning work has been completed, the cleaning support information display control section66informs of the technician the completion of the cleaning work of the area110, by displaying, for example, information indicating that the cleaning work of the area110has been completed, as illustrated in the diagram (b) ofFIG.12. Thereafter, as the result of the processing in steps S10and S12ofFIG.7that is performed again, if it is determined that the contaminant30has been removed, the cleaning support information display control section66changes the color of the area110to a third color, as illustrated in the diagram (c) ofFIG.12. The third color may be transparent, or may be a color other than the first and second colors.

As described above, in the contaminant detection system1according to the present embodiment, the location and type of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area can be determined. In addition, it is possible to support the technician's cleaning work for cleaning the contaminant30of the determined type and adhering to the determined location.

In addition, in the contaminant detection system1according to the present embodiment, types of contaminants30to be detected can be limited by providing a filter in front of the lens of the camera26to select a wavelength range to be captured by the camera26. For example, in the example of the mapping information ofFIG.5, if a filter (optical filter) is provided in front of the lens of the camera26to filter out light of a wavelength range (color range) other than the fluorescence emitted from the organic contaminants30, a mode for displaying only areas to which the organic contaminants30are adhering can be realized. As described above, in the contaminant detection system1according to the present embodiment, a mode in which types of the contaminant30are narrowed down and only locations to which the narrowed-down contaminants30are adhering are displayed may be realized. An RGB filter may be provided in front of the lens of the camera26to select a color (red, green, or blue; RGB) to be captured by the camera26, so as to select a wavelength range to be captured by the camera26.

Second Embodiment

The first embodiment has described an example in which a technician performs the cleaning work of the contaminant30based on the information displayed on the display device12. However, if there is a cleaning unit including a cleaning mechanism such as a robot arm, which is capable of performing cleaning work of the inspection target area using the cleaning mechanism, the contaminant detection system may be configured to cause the cleaning unit to perform the cleaning work of the contaminant30. Because the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for a part thereof, the description of the same part will not be repeated.

FIG.13is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a contaminant detection system according to the second embodiment. The contaminant detection system1illustrated inFIG.13has the configuration in which a cleaning unit40is added to the contaminant detection system1illustrated inFIG.1. The cleaning unit40receives, from the edge computer20, information including the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area, the type of the contaminant30, and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30, and performs cleaning work based on the received information.

FIG.14is an example of a functional block diagram illustrating functional blocks implemented in the edge computer of the contaminant detection system according to the present embodiment. In the functional block diagram illustrated inFIG.14, the cleaning unit40and a cleaning control section68are added to the functional block diagram illustrated inFIG.6.

The cleaning control section68transmits the information including the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area, the type of the contaminant30, and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30, which are determined by the determination section52, to the cleaning unit40, to control the cleaning work performed by the cleaning unit40. Alternatively, the cleaning control section68may control the cleaning work performed by the cleaning unit40by transmitting control commands to the cleaning unit40in accordance with the location of the contaminant30adhering to the inspection target area, the type of the contaminant30, and the cleaning method suitable for the type of the contaminant30, determined by the determination section52.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the cleaning work performed by a technician can be reduced or eliminated. Thus, the risk of contamination by foreign matters caused by a technician entering the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10can be reduced.

According to the above-described embodiments, contaminants adhering to an object to be inspected, such as the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus10, can be efficiently detected, and the maintenance work for cleaning off the contaminants can be efficiently performed.

While the specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the particulars of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

The light source24is an example of a light source described in the claim. The camera26is an example of a detector described in the claims. The determination section52is an example of a determination section described in the claims. The output section54is an example of an output section described in the claims. The display device12is an example of a display device described in the claims. The cleaning operation detecting section64is an example of a detecting unit described in the claim. The cleaning unit40is an example of a cleaning unit described in the claims.