Automatic defect classification (ADC) reclassification engine
US5966459A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V2201/06
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of determining classification codes for defects occurring in semiconductor manufacturing processes and for storing the information used to determine the classification codes. A wafer is selected from a production lot after the lot is sent through a first manufacturing process. The selected wafer is scanned to determine if there are defects on the wafer. Images of selected defects are examined and a numerical value is assigned to each of N elemental descriptor terms describing each defect. A classification code is determined for each defect based upon the numerical values assigned to the N elemental descriptor terms. The classification code and numerical values assigned to the N elemental descriptor terms are stored in a database. The wafer is sent through each sequential process and classification codes are assigned to additional defects selected after each sequential process. The classification codes and numerical values assigned to the N elemental descriptor terms for the additional selected defects are stored in the database. The stored numerical values assigned to the N elemental descriptor terms to modify the classification code. All of the defects stored in the datab…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.