Patent ID: 7250758

Claim:
An inspection method comprising the steps of: (a) scanning each of first and second samples by moving each sample with a laser beam and a magnetic-field detector both being fixed relative the each sample, and acquiring respective magnetic-field distributions of the first and second samples by the magnetic-field detector; (b) scanning the magnetic-field detector, with respect to the laser beam and each of the first and second samples, with a prescribed location on the each sample being irradiated fixedly by the laser beam, and acquiring respective magnetic-field distributions of the first and second samples by the magnetic-field detector, wherein the prescribed location on the each sample being irradiated fixedly by the laser beam corresponds to a location at which a difference is observed between the magnetic-field distributions of the first and second samples acquired in the step (a); and (c) obtaining respective current images from the magnetic-field distributions of the first and second samples acquired in the step (b) and finding a difference between the current images of the first and second samples; thereby enabling identification of a disparity in current paths relating to the prescribed location with regard to the first and second samples based upon a difference image that represents said difference between the current images.