Patent · US Active

Methods for detecting and classifying defects on a reticle

US7738093B2 · kind B2 · utility

35Cited by
221References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 6, 2008
Grant dateJun 15, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 6, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F1/84
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods for detecting and classifying defects on a reticle are provided. One method includes acquiring images of the reticle at first and second conditions during inspection of the reticle. The first condition is different than the second condition. The method also includes detecting the defects on the reticle using one or more of the images acquired at the first condition. In addition, the method includes classifying an importance of the defects detected on the reticle using one or more of the images acquired at the second condition. The detecting and classifying steps are performed substantially simultaneously during the inspection.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.