To provide a technique capable of quantitatively grasping a change in three-dimensional shape including a cross-sectional shape of a pattern within a surface of a wafer or between wafers in a non-destructive manner before cross-sectional observation. A processor system of a semiconductor inspection system acquires images captured by an electron microscope (SEM) for a sample (S102), calculates, for a reference region defined on a surface of the sample, first feature data corresponding to each of a plurality of locations in the reference region from the captured image (S103A), calculates a first statistical value based on the first feature data at the plurality of locations (S103B), calculates, for each of a plurality of evaluation regions defined as points or regions on the surface of the sample in correspondence with the reference region, second feature data corresponding to each of one or more locations in the evaluation region from the captured image, as feature data of the same type as the first feature data (S104A), and converts the second feature data using the first statistical value to obtain second feature data after conversion (S105).

A computer-implemented defect prediction method for a device manufacturing process involving processing a pattern onto a substrate. Non-correctable error is used to help predict locations where defects are likely to be present, allowing improvements in metrology throughput. In an embodiment, non-correctable error information relates to imaging error due to limitations on, for example, the lens hardware, imaging slit size, and/or other physical characteristics of the lithography system. In an embodiment, non-correctable error information relates to imaging error induced by lens heating effects.

Systems and methods for brightfield inspection of a circular rotating wafer are provided. A method includes: acquiring a plurality of images of a circular wafer, that is rotating, by using a plurality of line cameras; obtaining a plurality of synchronized images, based on the plurality of images, by synchronizing a motion of the circular wafer, that is rotating, with at least one line camera from among the plurality of line cameras; obtaining a single wafer map by integrating together the plurality of synchronized images; obtaining an in-focus image of the single wafer map while the circular wafer is moving; and performing brightfield inspection of the circular wafer based on the in-focus image of the single wafer map.

A method for inspecting a surface of a wafer, includes steps of: irradiating a surface of the wafer with a laser beam having three or more distinct wavelengths; detecting a reflected light from the surface of the wafer when the surface of the wafer is irradiated with the laser beam; and determining whether a foreign matter exists on the surface of the wafer based on reflectances of the surface of the wafer with respect to the laser beam having the three or more distinct wavelengths, wherein the step of determining whether the foreign matter exists includes a step of determining whether the foreign matter is a metal or a non-metal.

A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include window(s) having transparent region(s) that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a measurement wavelength range and opaque region(s) that are opaque to electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the measurement wavelength range. A temperature measurement system can include a plurality of infrared emitters configured to emit infrared radiation and a plurality of infrared sensors configured to measure infrared radiation within the measurement wavelength range where the transparent region(s) are at least partially within a field of view the infrared sensors. A controller can be configured to perform operations including obtaining transmittance and reflectance measurements associated with the workpiece and determining, based on the measurements, a temperature of the workpiece less than about 600° C.

A pogo block includes: a conductor having a first terminal connected to a terminal of a board of an inspection part, a second terminal connected to a terminal of a probe card, and an elastically expandable and contractible connection portion connecting the first terminal and the second terminal, and configured to be expandable and contractible in a direction connecting the first terminal and the second terminal; and a housing having a first holder configured to hold the first terminal, a second holder configured to hold the second terminal, and a guider into which the elastically expandable and contractible connection portion is inserted and configured to guide movements of the first holder and the second holder in the direction connecting the first terminal and the second terminal.

The invention provides a method for positioning a wafer and a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, which are applied to thin film processes. The method includes: Step S1: Obtain the state distribution of the first surface of the first wafer after the thin film process is performed on the first wafer, wherein the first surface is the surface opposite to a surface that the thin film formed thereon in the thin film process; Step S2: Determine whether the first wafer is located at the ideal positioning center according to the state distribution of the first surface, when the first wafer is not located at the ideal positioning center, according to the state distribution of the first surface adjusts the positioning position of the second wafer to be subjected to the thin film process, so that the second wafer is positioned at the ideal positioning center during the thin film process. According to the present invention, the wafer is positioned at the ideal positioning center during the thin film process, thereby improving the quality of the thin film layer and the entire wafer (epitaxial wafer) after the thin film process, and improving the effect of the thin film process.

A method of fabricating a four junction solar cell having an upper first solar subcell composed of a semiconductor material including aluminum and having a first band gap; a second solar subcell adjacent to said first solar subcell and composed of a semiconductor material having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap and being lattice matched with the upper first solar subcell; a third solar subcell adjacent to said second solar subcell and composed of a semiconductor material having a third band gap smaller than the second band gap and being lattice matched with the second solar subcell; and a fourth solar subcell adjacent to and lattice matched with said third solar subcell and composed of a semiconductor material having a fourth band gap smaller than the third band gap; wherein the fourth subcell has a direct bandgap of greater than 0.75 eV.

A temperature controlling apparatus includes a platen, a first and a second conduits, and a first and a second outlet thermal sensors. The first conduit includes a first inlet, a first outlet, and a first heater. A first fluid enters the first inlet and exits the first outlet, the first heater heats the first fluid to a first heating temperature, and the first fluid is dispensed on the platen. The second conduit includes a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second heater. A second fluid enters the second inlet and exits the second outlet, the second heater heats the second fluid to a second heating temperature, and the second fluid is dispensed on the platen. The first and the second outlet thermal sensors are respectively disposed at the first and the second outlets to sense temperatures of the first and the second fluid.

A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a platen to support a polishing pad, the platen having a recess, a flexible membrane in the recess, and an in-situ vibration monitoring system to generate a signal. The in-situ acoustic monitoring system includes a vibration sensor supported by the flexible membrane and positioned to couple to an underside of the polishing pad.