Apparatus for inspecting substrate and method for fabricating semiconductor device using the same

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes: loading a substrate on a stage of an apparatus for inspecting the substrate; extracting a first light having a first wavelength from a light by using a light source; acquiring first position information on at least one focal point, formed on the substrate, based on the first wavelength by using a controller, the at least one focal point being a pre-calculated at least one focal point; adjusting a position of at least one from among an objective lens and at least one microsphere in a vertical direction by using the first position information in the controller; condensing the first light, which has passed through the at least one microsphere, on the at least one focal point formed on the substrate; and inspecting the substrate by using the first light condensed on the at least one focal point.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0096179, filed on Jul. 22, 2021 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. 119, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for inspecting a substrate and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device using the same.

Description of the Related Art

With a highly advanced semiconductor process and importance of yield, non-destructive three-dimensional spectral measurement for process management is important. Also, as a size of a semiconductor product becomes ultra-fine, a size of a spot size required for inspection and measurement becomes smaller.

The spot size is determined by performance of a light source, a condensing lens, a camera, etc. during spectral measurement. Performance of components for non-destructive inspection has been highly advanced, and has already reached physical and Rayleigh limits. For this reason, studies for remarkably reducing a spot size during spectral measurement is ongoing.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for inspecting a substrate and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device using the same, in which light passing through an objective lens is additionally condensed on a substrate using a microsphere disposed between a stage and the objective lens at a diameter of about 1/300 or less than a diameter of the objective lens to improve reliability in inspection of the substrate.

According to one or more embodiments, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes: loading a substrate on a stage of an apparatus for inspecting the substrate; extracting a first light having a first wavelength from a light having a plurality of wavelengths by using a light source; acquiring first position information on at least one focal point, formed on the substrate, based on the first wavelength by using a controller, the at least one focal point being a pre-calculated at least one focal point; adjusting a position of at least one from among an objective lens and at least one microsphere in a vertical direction by using the first position information in the controller; condensing the first light, which has passed through the at least one microsphere, on the at least one focal point formed on the substrate; inspecting the substrate by using the first light condensed on the at least one focal point; and unloading the substrate, for which inspection has been completed, from the apparatus for inspecting the substrate, wherein the at least one microsphere is disposed between an upper surface of the stage and the objective lens.

According to one or more embodiments, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes: a stage on which the substrate is configured to be loaded; a light source configured to extract a first light having a first wavelength from a light having a plurality of wavelengths, and provide the first light to the substrate; an objective lens disposed on an upper surface of the stage and configured to allow the first light to pass therethrough; at least one microsphere disposed between the upper surface of the stage and the objective lens, the at least one microsphere configured to allow the first light provided from the objective lens to pass therethrough, and to condense the first light on the substrate; a detector configured to detect a reflected light formed by the first light reflected from the substrate to inspect the substrate; and a controller configured to control a position of at least one from among the objective lens and the at least one microsphere in a vertical direction such that the first light is condensed on at least one focal point formed on the substrate.

According to one or more embodiments, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes: a stage on which the substrate is configured to be loaded; a light source configured to extract a first light having a first wavelength from a light having a plurality of wavelengths, and provide the first light to the substrate; an objective lens disposed on an upper surface of the stage and configured to allow the first light to pass therethrough; an objective lens driving unit that comprises an actuator and is configured to move the objective lens in a vertical direction; a microsphere, that has a spherical shape, disposed between the upper surface of the stage and the objective lens, the microsphere configured to allow the first light provided from the objective lens to pass therethrough, and to condense the first light on the substrate; a microsphere driving unit that comprises an actuator and is configured to move the microsphere in the vertical direction; a detector configured to detect a reflected light formed by the first light reflected from the substrate to inspect the substrate; and a controller configured to control a position of each of the objective lens and the microsphere in the vertical direction by controlling the objective lens driving unit and the microsphere driving unit such that the first light is condensed on a focal point formed on the substrate. The controller is further configured to: acquire information on the first wavelength of the first light extracted by the light source, acquire first position information on the focal point, which is pre-calculated, based on the first wavelength, and control the position of at least one from among the objective lens and the microsphere in the vertical direction by using the first position information.

According to one or more embodiments, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes: a stage on which the substrate is configured to be loaded; a light source configured to extract a first light having a first wavelength from a light having a plurality of wavelengths, and provide the first light to the substrate; an objective lens disposed on an upper surface of the stage and configured to allow the first light to pass therethrough; at least one microsphere disposed between the upper surface of the stage and the objective lens, the at least one microsphere configured to allow the first light provided from the objective lens to pass therethrough, and to condense the first light on the substrate, the at least one microsphere is spaced apart from each of the objective lens and the substrate; a microsphere driving unit that includes an actuator and is configured to move the microsphere in a vertical direction; and a controller configured to control a position of the at least one microsphere in the vertical direction such that the first light is condensed on at least one focal point formed on the substrate.

The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above and additional aspects of the present disclosure, which are not mentioned herein, will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.1to3.

FIG.1is a view illustrating an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a view illustrating a microsphere included in an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.3is a view illustrating that light is condensed using a microsphere included in an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1to3, the apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a stage100, a light source110, a beam splitter120, an objective lens130, an objective lens driving unit135, a microsphere140, a microsphere connection unit141, a microsphere driving unit145, a detector150, a first lens161, a second lens162, a first polarizer171, a second polarizer172, and a controller180.

The stage100may be disposed inside the apparatus for inspecting a substrate. A substrate10may be loaded on the stage100. A semiconductor pattern P may be formed on an upper surface of the substrate10.

The light source110may extract light having a desired wavelength from light having a plurality of wavelengths. For example, the light source110may extract first light L1having a first wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths. Also, the light source110may extract second light L2having a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, from the light having a plurality of wavelengths. The light source110may provide the first light L1or the second light L2, which is extracted from the light having a plurality of wavelengths, to the substrate10disposed on the stage100.

The beam splitter120may be disposed on a path through which the first light L1and the second light L2pass. The beam splitter120may reflect a portion of the first light L1and a portion of the second light L2, which are provided from the light source110, to provide the reflected light to the objective lens130. Also, the beam splitter120may transmit the other portion of the first light L1and the other portion of the second light L2, which are provided from the light source110.

The first lens161may be disposed between the light source110and the beam splitter120on the path through which the first light L1and the second light L2pass. The first polarizer171may be disposed between the first lens161and the beam splitter120on the path through which the first light L1and the second light L2pass. That is, the first light L1and the second light L2, which are provided from the light source110, may sequentially pass through the first lens161and the first polarizer171, and then may be provided to the beam splitter120.

The first lens161may be, for example, a convex lens. The first lens161may change angular distribution of the first light L1and the second light L2, which are provided from the light source110, to provide the first light L1and the second light L2to the first polarizer171. The first polarizer171may polarize each of the first light L1and the second light L2, which are provided from the first lens161, in one direction to provide the polarized light to the beam splitter120.

The objective lens130may be disposed on an upper surface of the stage100. In detail, the objective lens130may be disposed between the stage100and the beam splitter120on the path through which the first light L1and the second light L2pass. The first light L1and the second light L2, which are provided from the beam splitter120, may be condensed on the microsphere140by passing through the objective lens130.

The objective lens driving unit135may be connected to the objective lens130. The objective lens driving unit135may move the objective lens130in a vertical direction DR3. The objective lens driving unit135may be controlled by the controller180.

The microsphere140may be disposed on the upper surface of the stage100. In detail, the microsphere140may be disposed between the upper surface of the stage100and the objective lens130. The microsphere140may be spaced apart from each of the objective lens130and the substrate10disposed on the stage100.

The microsphere140may have a spherical shape, for example, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The microsphere140may include a dielectric material having a refractive index of one or more. The microsphere140may include, for example, sodalime glass, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

The first light L1and the second light L2, which have passed through the microsphere140, may be condensed on a focal point F to be formed on the substrate10. The focal point F may be formed on a surface of the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10.

The microsphere140may have a diameter in the range of 1 μm to 100 μm in a first horizontal direction DR1parallel with the upper surface of the stage100, for example. For example, the diameter of the microsphere140may be about 1/300 or less than the diameter of the objective lens130. The microsphere140having a diameter relatively smaller than the diameter of the objective lens130may be used, such that the first light L1and the second light L2, which are provided from the objective lens130, may effectively be condensed on the focal point formed on the substrate10.

The microsphere driving unit145may be connected to the microsphere140through the microsphere connection unit141. For example, the microsphere driving unit145may move the microsphere140in a first horizontal direction DR1, a second horizontal direction DR2perpendicular to the first horizontal direction DR1, and a vertical direction DR3perpendicular to each of the first horizontal direction DR1and the second horizontal direction DR2.

The microsphere connection unit141may have a conical shape extended in the first horizontal direction DR1, for example. A vertex portion of the microsphere connection unit141having a conical shape may be connected to the microsphere140. The microsphere driving unit145may move the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3. The microsphere driving unit145may be controlled by the controller180.

After passing through the microsphere140, the first light L1and the second light L2may be reflected on the focal point F. The first light L1and the second light L2, which are reflected on the focal point F, may be defined as reflected light RL. The reflected light RL may be provided to the detector150by sequentially passing through the objective lens130and the beam splitter120. The detector150may detect the reflected light RL to inspect the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10.

The second polarizer172may be disposed between the beam splitter120and the detector150on a path through which the reflected light RL passes. The second lens162may be disposed between the second polarizer172and the detector150on the path through which the reflected light RL passes. The reflected light RL reflected from the focal point F may be provided to the detector150by sequentially passing through the second polarizer172and the second lens162.

The second polarizer172may polarize the reflected light RL provided from the beam splitter120in one direction to provide the polarized light to the second lens162. The second lens162may be, for example, a convex lens. The second lens162may change an angular distribution of the reflected light RL provided from the second polarizer172and provide the changed angular distribution to the detector150.

The controller180may receive information on the first wavelength of the first light L1and information on the second wavelength of the second light L2.

For example, the controller180may acquire first position information on a pre-calculated focal point F in response to the first wavelength of the received first light L1. The first position information may include position information of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3and position information of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3so that the pre-calculated focal point F is formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10in response to the first wavelength of the first light L1.

For example, the controller180may acquire second position information on the pre-calculated focal point F in response to the second wavelength of the received second light L2. The second position information may include position information of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3and position information of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3so that the pre-calculated focal point F is formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10in response to the second wavelength of the second light L2.

The controller180may control each of the objective lens driving unit135and the microsphere driving unit145by using the first position information and the second position information. The controller180may control the objective lens driving unit135to adjust the position of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3. Further, the controller180may control the microsphere driving unit145to adjust the position of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3.

For example, the controller180may control the objective lens driving unit135by using the position information of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3, which is included in the first position information, to adjust the position of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3. Also, the controller180may control the microsphere driving unit145by using the position information of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3, which is included in the first position information, thereby adjusting the position of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3.

For example, the controller180may control the objective lens driving unit135by using the position information of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3, which is included in the second position information, to adjust the position of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3. Also, the controller180may control the microsphere driving unit145by using the position information of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3, which is included in the second position information, thereby adjusting the position of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3.

The controller180may control the position of each of the objective lens130and the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3by using the first position information, thereby condensing the first light L1on the focal point F formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P. Also, the controller180may control the position of each of the objective lens130and the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3by using the second position information, thereby condensing the second light L2on the focal point F formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P.

The apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may improve reliability in inspection of the substrate10by additionally condensing the light L1and L2passing through the objective lens130on the substrate10using the microsphere140disposed between the stage100and the objective lens130at a diameter of about 1/300 or less than the diameter of the objective lens130.

Hereinafter, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.1to4.

FIG.4is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device using an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1to4, the substrate10may be loaded on the apparatus for inspecting a substrate (S110). In detail, the substrate10may be loaded on the upper surface of the stage100disposed inside the apparatus for inspecting a substrate. The semiconductor pattern P may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate10.

Inspection for the substrate10positioned on the upper surface of the stage100may be performed. The inspection for the substrate10may be performed by a method of inspecting the substrate10using the first light L1and the second light L2condensed through the microsphere140(S120). The method of inspecting a substrate will be described in detail with reference to the flow chart shown inFIG.5.

After the inspection for the substrate10is completed, the substrate10for which the inspection is completed may be unloaded from the apparatus for inspecting a substrate (S130).

Hereinafter, the method of inspecting a substrate using the apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.1to3and5.

FIG.5is a flow chart illustrating a method of inspecting a substrate using an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1to3and5, after the substrate10is loaded on the stage100disposed inside the apparatus for inspecting a substrate10(S110inFIG.4), the inspection S120for the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10may be performed.

After the substrate10is loaded on the stage100, the light source110may extract the first light L1having a first wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths (S121). Information on the first wavelength of the first light L1extracted from the light source110may be provided to the controller180.

Subsequently, the controller180may acquire the first position information on the pre-calculated focal point F in response to the first wavelength of the first light L1provided from the light source110(S122). The first position information may include position information of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3and position information of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3so that the pre-calculated focal point F is formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10in response to the first wavelength of the first light L1.

Subsequently, the controller180may adjust the position of each of the objective lens130and the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3by using the first position information (S123). In detail, the controller180may control the objective lens driving unit135to adjust the position of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3. Further, the controller180may control the microsphere driving unit145to adjust the position of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3.

Subsequently, the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10may be inspected using the first light L1condensed by passing through the microsphere140(S124). In detail, the first light L1extracted from the light source110may be provided to the microsphere140by sequentially passing through the first lens161, the first polarizer171, the beam splitter120, and the objective lens130. The first light L1may be condensed on the focal point F formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P by passing through the microsphere140.

The first light L1may be reflected on the focal point F formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P to form the reflected light RL. The reflected light RL may be provided to the detector150through the microsphere140, the objective lens130, the beam splitter120, the second polarizer172, and the second lens162sequentially. The detector150may inspect the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10by using the reflected light RL.

After the inspection for the substrate10using the first light L1is completed, the light source110may extract the second light L2having a second wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths (S125). Information on the second wavelength of the second light L2extracted from the light source110may be provided to the controller180.

Subsequently, the controller180may acquire second position information on the pre-calculated focal point F in response to the second wavelength of the second light L2provided from the light source110(S126). The second position information may include position information of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3and position information of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3so that the pre-calculated focal point F is formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10in response to the second wavelength of the second light L2.

Subsequently, the controller180may adjust the position of each of the objective lens130and the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3by using the second position information (S127). In detail, the controller180may control the objective lens driving unit135to adjust the position of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3. Further, the controller180may control the microsphere driving unit145to adjust the position of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3.

Subsequently, the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10may be inspected using the second light L2condensed by passing through the microsphere140(S128). In detail, the second light L2extracted from the light source110may be provided to the microsphere140by sequentially passing through the first lens161, the first polarizer171, the beam splitter120, and the objective lens130. The second light L2may be condensed on the focal point F formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P by passing through the microsphere140.

The second light L2may be reflected on the focal point F formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P to form the reflected light RL. The reflected light RL may be provided to the detector150through the microsphere140, the objective lens130, the beam splitter120, the second polarizer172, and the second lens162sequentially. The detector150may inspect the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10by using the reflected light RL.

AlthoughFIG.5illustrates that the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10is inspected over twice using the first light L1and the second light L2, which have their respective wavelengths different from each other, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. That is, in some other embodiments, the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10may be inspected by sequentially using three or more kinds of light, which have different wavelengths extracted from the light source110.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.6. The following description will be based on a difference from the apparatus for inspecting a substrate shown inFIGS.1to3.

FIG.6is a view illustrating a microsphere included in an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, in the apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the microsphere240may have a hemispherical shape. For example, the microsphere240may have a hemispherical shape with a flat upper surface facing the objective lens130(FIG.1). The microsphere240may be connected to the microsphere connection unit141that is extended in the first horizontal direction DR1.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.7. The following description will be based on a difference from the apparatus for inspecting a substrate shown inFIGS.1to3.

FIG.7is a view illustrating a microsphere included in an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.7, in the apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the microsphere340may have a hemispherical shape. For example, the microsphere340may have a hemispherical shape with a flat lower surface facing the stage100(FIG.1). The microsphere340may be connected to the microsphere connection unit141that is extended in the first horizontal direction DR1.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.8. The following description will be based on a difference from the apparatus for inspecting a substrate shown inFIGS.1to3.

FIG.8is a view illustrating a microsphere included in an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.8, in the apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the microsphere440may have a cylindrical shape. For example, the microsphere440may have a cylindrical shape extended in the first horizontal direction DR1. The microsphere440may be connected to the microsphere connection unit141that is extended in the first horizontal direction DR1.

Hereinafter, a method of inspecting a substrate using an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.1to3and9. The following description will be based on a difference from the method of inspecting a substrate shown inFIG.5.

FIG.9is a flow chart illustrating a method of inspecting a substrate using an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1to3and9, after the substrate10is loaded on the stage100disposed inside the apparatus for inspecting a substrate (S110inFIG.4), an inspection (S220) for the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10may be performed.

After the substrate10is loaded on the stage100, the light source110may extract the first light L1having a first wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths (S221). Then, the controller180may acquire first position information on the pre-calculated focal point F in response to the first wavelength of the first light L1provided from the light source110(S222).

Subsequently, the controller180may adjust the position of each of the objective lens130and the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3by using the first position information (S223). Subsequently, the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10may be inspected using the first light L1condensed by passing through the microsphere140(S224).

Subsequently, it may be determined whether the inspection for the substrate10has been finally completed (S225). When the inspection of the substrate10is finally completed, the inspection for the substrate10may end, and the substrate10for which the inspection has been completed may be unloaded from the apparatus for inspecting a substrate (S130ofFIG.4).

When the inspection for the substrate10is not finally completed, the step S221of extracting the first light L1having a first wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths by the light source110, the step S222of acquiring the first position information on the pre-calculated focal point F in response to the first wavelength of the first light L1provided from the light source110, the step S223of adjusting the position of each of the objective lens130and the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3by using the first position information, and the step S224of inspecting the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10by using the first light L1condensed by passing through the microsphere140may be performed repeatedly.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.10to12. The following description will be based on a difference from the apparatus for inspecting a substrate shown inFIGS.1to3.

FIG.10is a view illustrating an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.11is a plan view illustrating a plurality of microspheres included in an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.12is a view illustrating that light is condensed using a microsphere included in an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.10to12, in the apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of microspheres may be disposed between the upper surface of the stage100and the objective lens130.

For example, a first microsphere540_1, a second microsphere540_2, a third microsphere540_3, and a fourth microsphere540_4spaced apart from one another may be disposed between the upper surface of the stage100and the objective lens130. The second microsphere540_2may be spaced apart from the first microsphere540_1in the first horizontal direction DR1. The third microsphere540_3and the fourth microsphere540_4may respectively be spaced apart from the first microsphere540_1and the second microsphere540_2in the second horizontal direction DR2. AlthoughFIG.11illustrates that four microspheres are disposed between the upper surface of the stage100and the objective lens130, this is an example, and there is no limitation in the number of microspheres disposed between the upper surface of the stage100and the objective lens130.

For example, the first microsphere540_1may be connected to a first microsphere driving unit545_1through a first microsphere connection unit541_1. The second microsphere540_2may be connected to a second microsphere driving unit545_2through a second microsphere connection unit541_2. The third microsphere540_3may be connected to the first microsphere driving unit545_1(or a third microsphere driving unit) through a third microsphere connection unit541_3. The fourth microsphere540_4may be connected to the second microsphere driving unit545_2(or a fourth microsphere driving unit) through a fourth microsphere connection unit541_4. The connection relationship between the first to fourth microspheres540_1,540_2,540_3and540_4and the first and second microsphere driving units545_1and545_2is an example, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

A controller580may control the position of each of the first microsphere driving unit545_1and the second microsphere driving unit545_2(and the third and fourth driving units in some embodiments) in the vertical direction DR3to adjust the position of each of the first microsphere540_1, the second microsphere540_2, the third microsphere540_3, and the fourth microsphere540_4in the vertical direction DR3.

For example, a portion of each of the first light L1and the second light L2, which are extracted from the light source110, may be provided to the first microsphere540_1by passing through the objective lens130. Another portion of each of the first light L1and the second light L2, which are extracted from the light source110, may be provided to the second microsphere540_2by passing through the objective lens130.

The first light L1and the second light L2, which have passed through the first microsphere540_1, may be condensed on a first focal point F1formed on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P. The first light L1and the second light L2, which have passed through the second microsphere540_2, may be condensed on a second focal point F2formed by being spaced apart from the first focal point F1in the first horizontal direction DR1on the surface of the semiconductor pattern P. Each of first reflected light RL1, formed by being reflected on the first focal point F1, and second reflected light RL2, formed by being reflected on the second focal point F2, may be provided to the detector150.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.13. The following description will be based on a difference from the apparatus for inspecting a substrate shown inFIGS.1to3.

FIG.13is a view illustrating an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.13, in the apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, an inspection for the semiconductor pattern P formed on the substrate10may be performed in a state that an objective lens630is fixed. A controller680may control the microsphere driving unit145to adjust the position of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3.

Hereinafter, a method of inspecting a substrate using the apparatus for inspecting a substrate shown inFIG.13will be described with reference toFIGS.13and14. The following description will be based on a difference from the method of inspecting a substrate shown inFIG.5.

FIG.14is a flow chart illustrating a method of inspecting a substrate using an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.13and14, after the substrate10is loaded on the stage100disposed inside the apparatus for inspecting a substrate (S110inFIG.4), the light source110may extract the first light L1having a first wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths (S121). Then, the controller680may acquire the first position information on the pre-calculated focal point F (FIG.3) in response to the first wavelength of the first light L1provided from the light source110(S122).

Subsequently, the controller680may adjust the position of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3by using the first position information (S323). In this case, the objective lens630may be fixed. Subsequently, the semiconductor pattern P (FIG.3) formed on the substrate10may be inspected using the first light L1condensed by passing through the microsphere140(S124).

After the inspection for the substrate10using the first light L1is completed, the light source110may extract the second light L2having a second wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths (S125). Then, the controller680may acquire second position information on the pre-calculated focal point F (FIG.3) in response to the second wavelength of the second light L2provided from the light source110(S126).

Subsequently, the controller680may adjust the position of the microsphere140in the vertical direction DR3by using the second position information (S327). In this case, the objective lens630may be fixed. Then, the semiconductor pattern P (FIG.3) formed on the substrate10may be inspected using the second light L2condensed by passing through the microsphere140(S128).

Hereinafter, an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.15. The following description will be based on a difference from the apparatus for inspecting a substrate shown inFIGS.1to3.

FIG.15is a view illustrating an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.15, in the apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, an inspection for the semiconductor pattern P (FIG.3) formed on the substrate10may be performed in a state that a microsphere740is fixed. The microsphere740may be fixed by being connected to a microsphere connection unit741. A controller780may control the objective lens driving unit135to adjust the position of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3.

Hereinafter, a method of inspecting a substrate using the apparatus for inspecting a substrate shown inFIG.15will be described with reference toFIGS.15and16. The following description will be based on a difference from the method of inspecting a substrate shown inFIG.5.

FIG.16is a flow chart illustrating a method of inspecting a substrate using an apparatus for inspecting a substrate according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.15and16, after the substrate10is loaded on the stage100disposed inside the apparatus for inspecting a substrate (S110inFIG.4), the light source110may extract the first light L1having a first wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths (S121). Then, the controller780may acquire the first position information on the pre-calculated focal point F (FIG.3) in response to the first wavelength of the first light L1provided from the light source110(S122).

Subsequently, the controller780may adjust the position of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3by using the first position information (S423). In this case, the microsphere740may be fixed. Then, the semiconductor pattern P (FIG.3) formed on the substrate10may be inspected using the first light L1condensed by passing through the objective lens130(S124).

After the inspection for the substrate10using the first light L1is completed, the light source110may extract the second light L2having a second wavelength from the light having a plurality of wavelengths (S125). Then, the controller780may acquire the second position information on the pre-calculated focal point F (FIG.3) in response to the second wavelength of the second light L2provided from the light source110(S126).

Subsequently, the controller780may adjust the position of the objective lens130in the vertical direction DR3by using the second position information (S427). In this case, the microsphere740may be fixed. Then, the semiconductor pattern P (FIG.3) formed on the substrate10may be inspected using the second light L2condensed by passing through the objective lens130(S128).

According to embodiments, driving units of the present disclosure may include an actuator (e.g. a motor) configured to cause driving of one or more components. For example, each objective lens driving unit may include an actuator that is configured to cause driving of at least one objective lens in the vertical direction, based on control by a controller. Also, each microsphere driving unit may include an actuator that is configured to cause driving of at least one microsphere in the vertical direction, based on control by a controller.

According to embodiments, controllers (e.g. controller180) of the present disclosure may include at least one processor and memory storing computer instructions. The computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may be configured to cause the controller to perform its functions.

Although non-limiting example embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure can be provided in various forms without being limited to the above-described example embodiments, and the person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can understand that embodiments of the present disclosure can be provided in other specific forms without departing from technical spirits of the present disclosure. Thus, the above-described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.