Apparatus and method for analyzing foreign matter on semiconductor wafers and for controlling the manufacturing process of semiconductor devices

摘要

A device for analyzing foreign matter on semiconductor wafers is provided, which is capable of analyzing a great deal of foreign matter rapidly without requiring the higher level decision capabilities of a skilled analyst. The device for analyzing foreign matter on semiconductor wafers includes a scanning electron microscope (SEM) which obtains the composition ratios of each element of a plurality of foreign matter adhered to semiconductor wafers. A foreign matter plotting section is provided to obtain the distribution of the composition ratios of the plurality of foreign matter on the basis of a result obtained by the SEM. A foreign matter classifying process section classifies the plurality of foreign matter on the basis of the distribution. A foreign matter identifying process section compares the foreign matter classification result with data stored in advance in a foreign matter data base, thereby identifying the foreign matter type.