Inspection device and inspection method

Abstract

This inspection dvice for inspecting a surface to be inspected that is disposed on an inspection surface comprises an X-ray generation tube having a target including an X-ray generation unit for generating X-rays due to being irradiated with an electron beam, the X-ray generation tube emitting X-rays toward the inspection surface; and an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays that are emitted from foreign matter present on the surface to be inspected, which is irradiated with the X-rays from the X-ray generation unit, and that are totally reflected by the surface to be inspected, the X-ray detector having a long X-ray capture unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device and an inspection method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a high-resolution X-ray microscope with a fluorescent X-ray analysis function, which includes a detector that detects fluorescent X-rays generated from a sample by focusing an electron beam on a target for X-ray generation by an objective lens and irradiating the sample with X-rays generated from the target, and an analysis unit that analyzes the fluorescent X-rays from the detection results of the detector. Patent Document 1 also describes incorporating all or a part of the detector into the magnetic circuit of the objective lens. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-236622 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, there has been a problem of foreign matter with dimensions of several tens of micrometers or less being introduced into products, causing defects. For example, in lithium-ion batteries, for components made from carbon, copper, and aluminum, foreign matter that is micronized stainless steel or parts of the components can be introduced into the battery during manufacturing.

[0005] If a foreign object is introduced into a lithium-ion battery during its manufacture, the separator that maintains insulation inside the battery may be broken by vibrations caused by the foreign object after the battery is shipped. In such a case, the battery may short-circuit, potentially catching fire or exploding.

[0006] If foreign objects could be detected non-destructively, it would be possible to prevent the distribution of products that may ignite or explode. Methods for detecting foreign objects on the surface of a sample using X-rays and identifying their elements include X-ray fluorescence (also known as XRF) and grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence (also known as TXRF). In X-ray fluorescence, elements in the sample substrate are also excited, and in grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence, the incident X-rays are scattered by the foreign objects. Therefore, these measurement methods have the problem that the intensity ratio of the fluorescent X-rays generated by the foreign objects is weak.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an advantageous technique for detecting foreign matter present on an inspection target surface with high sensitivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an inspection device for inspecting an inspection target surface arranged on an inspection surface, the inspection device comprising: an X-ray generating tube having a target including an X-ray generating unit that generates X-rays when irradiated with an electron beam, emitting X-rays toward the inspection target surface; and an X-ray detector that detects X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the inspection target surface irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray generating unit and totally reflected by the inspection target surface, the X-ray detector having a long X-ray intake unit.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention relates to an inspection device for inspecting an object to be inspected having a first inspection surface and a second inspection surface, the inspection device comprising: an X-ray generating tube having a target including an X-ray generating unit that generates X-rays by being irradiated with an electron beam, and emitting X-rays toward the object to be inspected; and an X-ray detector having an X-ray capture unit that captures X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the first inspection object surface irradiated with the X-rays from the X-ray generating unit and totally reflected at the first inspection object surface, and X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the second inspection object surface irradiated with the X-rays from the X-ray generating unit and totally reflected at the second inspection object surface, the X-ray capture unit being positioned so as to intersect with a first imaginary plane including the first inspection object surface and a second imaginary plane including the second inspection object surface.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention relates to an inspection method for inspecting an inspection target surface arranged on an inspection surface, the inspection method including an X-ray detection step of emitting X-rays toward the inspection target surface and detecting X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the inspection target surface and totally reflected by the inspection target surface by an X-ray detector having an elongated X-ray intake portion, and a processing step of processing an output of the X-ray detector. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, an advantageous technique is provided for detecting foreign matter present on an inspection target surface with high sensitivity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an inspection device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an X-ray generating tube. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the inspection device shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the inspection device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the distance Dxs (horizontal axis) and the count number (vertical axis) of foreign matter detected by an X-ray detector. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of an inspection apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an inspection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an inspection device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an inspection apparatus IA according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The inspection apparatus IA may be configured as an inspection apparatus that inspects an inspection target surface TS arranged on an inspection surface IP, for example. Here, the inspection surface IP is a surface on which the inspection target surface TS is to be arranged, and the inspection target surface TS is one surface of an inspection target IT. The inspection apparatus IA may include an X-ray generating tube 101. The X-ray generating tube 101 has a target (not shown) including an X-ray generating unit XG that generates X-rays by being irradiated with an electron beam, and radiates X-rays XR toward the inspection surface IP. A foreign material FS irradiated with X-rays XR from the X-ray generating unit XG generates X-rays according to the material that constitutes the foreign material FS, and such X-rays are also called fluorescent X-rays or characteristic X-rays. A part of the X-rays generated by the foreign material FS irradiated with X-rays XR are totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS. The X-rays emitted from the foreign material FS and totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS are shown as X-rays XF. The inspection apparatus IA may include an X-ray detector 120. The X-ray detector 120 may be configured to detect X-rays XF emitted from a foreign matter FS present on an inspection target surface TS irradiated with X-rays XR from the X-ray generator XG and totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS. The inspection apparatus IA may further include a processor that performs processing to detect the foreign matter FS based on the output from the X-ray detector 120. The processor may further perform processing to identify a substance that constitutes the foreign matter FS based on the output from the X-ray detector 120. The processor may be realized, for example, by a control unit that controls the operation of the inspection apparatus IA.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a more specific configuration example of the inspection apparatus IA shown in FIG. 1. The inspection apparatus IA may include an X-ray generator 100, an X-ray detector 120, and a control unit 140. The X-ray generator 100 may include an X-ray generating tube 101 and a driving circuit 103 that drives the X-ray generating tube 101. The X-ray generator 100 may further include a boost circuit 102 that supplies a boosted voltage to the driving circuit 103. The X-ray generator 100 may further include a container (not shown) that stores the X-ray generating tube 101, the driving circuit 103, and the boost circuit 102, and the container may be filled with an insulating fluid such as insulating oil. The control unit 140 may be configured to control the X-ray generator 100 and the X-ray detector 120. The control unit 140 may also include the functions of the processor described above. More specifically, the control unit 140 may perform a process of detecting a foreign object FS based on an output from the X-ray detector 120. Moreover, the control unit 140 may further perform a process of identifying a substance constituting the foreign matter FS based on the output from the X-ray detector 120. The control unit 140 may be configured, for example, by a PLD (abbreviation for Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a general-purpose or dedicated computer with an embedded program, or a combination of all or part of these.

[0016] The inspection apparatus IA may further include an X-ray detection panel 130 that detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation unit XG and transmitted through an inspection target IT having an inspection target surface TS. The control unit 140 may be configured to generate an image of the X-rays transmitted through the inspection target IT (a transmitted image of the inspection target IT) based on the output from the X-ray detection panel 130, and detect a foreign object FS present on the inspection target surface TS based on the image. By using the X-ray detection panel 130, it is also possible to detect a foreign object present inside the inspection target IT and a foreign object present on the surface opposite to the inspection target surface TS. The control unit 140 may be configured to detect the presence of the foreign object FS, as well as the position and / or size of the foreign object FS. By providing the X-ray detection panel 130 in addition to the X-ray detector 120, the X-ray detection panel 130 can detect a foreign object FS that cannot be detected by the X-ray detector 120, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the foreign object FS. In addition, the inspection device IA, which acquires transmission images and detects foreign bodies using X-rays emitted from a single X-ray generating tube, is advantageous in terms of compactness and cost reduction compared to a system having two devices that separately acquire transmission images and detect foreign bodies.

[0017] The inspection apparatus IA may further include a display unit 150, and the control unit 140 may be configured to cause the display unit 150 to display information indicating the constituent material of the foreign matter FS identified based on the output of the X-ray detector 120. The control unit 140 may also be configured to cause the display unit 150 to display a transmission image of the inspection target IT generated based on the output from the X-ray detection panel 130. The control unit 140 may also be configured to cause the display unit 150 to display information indicating the position and / or size of the foreign matter detected based on the output from the X-ray detection panel 130. The control unit 140 may be configured as a single unit or may be configured by being divided into multiple units.

[0018] 3 shows a schematic configuration example of an X-ray generating tube 101. The X-ray generating tube 101 may include an electron gun EG, an anode 93 having a target 933 including an X-ray generating unit XG that generates X-rays by collision with electrons from the electron gun EG, and an insulating tube 92. In the X-ray generating tube 101, the anode 93 may be arranged so as to close one of two open ends of the insulating tube 92, and a blocking member 91 including the electron gun EG may be arranged so as to close the other of the two open ends of the insulating tube 92. A deflector 94 that deflects the flow of electrons (electron beam) from the electron gun EG may be arranged on the outside of the insulating tube 92. The X-ray generating tube 101 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a sealed transmission type X-ray generating tube in which the internal space of the insulating tube 92 is maintained in a vacuum state and X-rays pass through the target 933 and a target holding plate 932 described later. However, a non-sealed open type or a non-transmitting reflection type X-ray generating tube may also be used as the X-ray generating tube 101.

[0019] The deflector 94 may be disposed outside the X-ray generating tube 101. In a direction parallel to the axis AX of the X-ray generating tube 101, the deflector 94 may be provided between the anode 93 and the cathode (not shown). In one example, in a direction parallel to the axis AX of the X-ray generating tube 101, the deflector 94 is provided between the electron gun EG and the target 933. Specifically, an imaginary plane 97 that crosses the deflector 94 may be located in a space between an imaginary plane 95 that contacts the tip of the electron gun EG and an imaginary plane 96 that contacts a part of the target 933. The imaginary planes 95, 96, and 97 are planes that are perpendicular to the axis AX of the X-ray generating tube 101.

[0020] The anode 93 may include a target 933, a target holding plate 932 that holds the target 933, and an electrode 931 that holds the target holding plate 932. The electrode 931 is electrically connected to the target 933 and may apply an electric potential to the target 933. The target 933 generates X-rays when electrons (electron beams) emitted from the electron gun EG collide with the target 933. The X-ray generating unit XG is a portion on the surface of the target 933 that is collided with by the electrons (electron beams). The X-rays generated by the X-ray generating unit XG are transmitted through the target holding plate 932 and radiated to the outside of the X-ray generating tube 101. The anode 93 may be maintained at, for example, a ground potential, but may also be maintained at another potential.

[0021] The target 933 is made of a metal material. The target 933 is desirably made of a material with a high melting point, such as tungsten, tantalum, or molybdenum, which contributes to improving the generation efficiency of X-rays. The target holding plate 932 can be made of a material that easily transmits X-rays, such as beryllium or diamond. The target holding plate 932 is desirably made of diamond, which allows the thickness of the target holding plate 932 to be thinned while maintaining its strength, and the distance between the inspection surface IP (inspection target surface TS) and the target 933 (X-ray generating unit XG) can be reduced. The thickness of the target holding plate 932 is desirably thin. Specifically, the thickness of the target holding plate 932 is desirably 4 mm or less, and more desirably 2 mm or less, 1 mm or less, or 0.3 mm or less. The thickness of these target holding plates 932 can be set with reference to the distance from the X-ray generating unit XG to the inspection surface IP, which is necessary to identify elements contained in foreign matter, which will be described later. In order to identify elements contained in foreign matter, it is desirable for the target holding plate 932 to be as thin as possible, but from the viewpoints of processing costs and individual differences of the target holding plate 932, and strength required to maintain the internal space of the insulating tube 92 in a vacuum state, it is desirable for the target holding plate 932 to be thick. Therefore, it is desirable to use an optimal thickness for the target holding plate 932. Note that FIG. 3 is not intended to show the relationship between the thickness of the target 933 and the thickness of the target holding plate 932. For example, the thickness of the target 933 may be several μm, and the thickness of the target holding plate 932 may be several hundred μm.

[0022] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged portion of the inspection apparatus IA in FIG. 2. A foreign object FS may be present on the inspection target surface TS. X-rays (characteristic X-rays) XF emitted from the foreign object FS so as to be totally reflected on the inspection target surface TS are incident on the X-ray capture section 121 of the X-ray detector 120. On the other hand, fluorescent X-rays that may be generated from the inspection target IT itself due to irradiation of X-rays XR from the X-ray generation section XG are hardly incident on the X-ray capture section 121 of the X-ray detector 120 arranged to detect the X-rays (characteristic X-rays) XF. Therefore, the ratio of fluorescent X-rays emitted from the inspection target IT itself and detected by the X-ray detector 120 to the X-rays (characteristic X-rays) XF emitted from the foreign object FS and detected by the X-ray detector 120 can be made extremely small.

[0023] The X-ray detector 120 may be a silicon drift detector (SDD), a CdTe detector, or a CdZnTe detector. The X-ray detector 120 may be an energy dispersive detector. When the X-ray detector 120 is an energy dispersive detector, the control unit (or processor) 140 can determine the material or element constituting the foreign matter FS from the element profile of energy dispersion (count value for each energy). The control unit (or processor) 140 may incorporate commercially available software to determine the material or element constituting the foreign matter FS. Examples of such software include "XRS-FP Quantitative XRF Analysis Software" by AMETEK Corporation, or software by Uniquant.

[0024] The specifications of the X-ray detector 120 can be determined according to the energy resolution required for foreign object detection. Examples of detectors with low energy resolution include detectors using scintillators, Si pin photodiodes, or CCDs. Examples of detectors with higher energy resolution include detectors using proportional counters. Examples of detectors with even higher energy resolution include detectors using an energy dispersive detection method such as a CdTe direct transition crystal or a Si drift detector. Examples of detectors with even higher energy resolution include detectors using a wavelength dispersive detection method that uses a spectroscopic crystal to determine energy from the angle.

[0025] In order for the fluorescent X-rays from the foreign object FS to be totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS, the angle at which the fluorescent X-rays from the foreign object FS are incident on the inspection target surface TS must be the total reflection critical angle θ c It must be the following:

[0026]

number

[0027] Where: Where: θc: Critical angle of total reflection re: Classical radius of electron (2.818×10 -15 m) N0: Avogadro's number λ: wavelength of X-rays ρ: Density (g / cm 3 ) Zi, Mi, xi: Atomic number, atomic weight, and atomic ratio (molar ratio) of the i-th atom f'i: Atomic scattering factor of the i-th atom (anomalous dispersion term)

[0028] Theoretically, the critical angle of total reflection when the inspection target surface TS is metallic is approximately 1° or less, but in reality, the critical angle of reflection often differs from the theoretical value when the metal surface is oxidized or carbonized, or covered with a graphite layer. It has been confirmed through experiments that when X-rays XR are irradiated onto the inspection target surface TS, if the total reflection conditions are met, the angle (critical angle of total reflection) between the inspection target surface TS and the characteristic X-rays XF emitted from the foreign matter FS and totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS is 5° or less. Here, the foreign matter FS is defined as the distance D between the X-ray generator XG and the inspection surface IP (inspection target surface TS). XS , so the position where the X-rays XR emitted from the foreign material FS and totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS can be regarded as the position where the X-rays XR from the X-ray generator XG are incident on the inspection surface IP. Also, if the foreign material FS is located at a position where the X-rays XR from the X-ray generator XG are incident perpendicularly on the inspection surface IP as in Figure 4, the position where the X-rays XR emitted from the foreign material FS and totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS can be regarded as the position where the X-rays XR from the X-ray generator XG are incident perpendicularly on the inspection surface IP.

[0029] Since the total reflection critical angle is 5° or less, the angle θ formed by an imaginary line connecting the position where the X-rays XR from the X-ray generating unit XG are incident on the inspection surface IP and the X-ray intake unit 121 of the X-ray detector 120, and the inspection surface IP (the angle formed by an imaginary line connecting the intersection of the axis of the X-ray generating tube 101 and the inspection surface IP and the center of the X-ray intake unit of the X-ray detector 120, and the inspection surface IP) can be 5° or less, desirably 2° or less, and more desirably 1° or less. The smaller the angle θ, the smaller the ratio of fluorescent X-rays emitted from the inspection object IT itself and detected by the X-ray detector 120 to X-rays (characteristic X-rays) XF emitted from the foreign material FS and detected by the X-ray detector 120 can be.

[0030] The X-ray detector 120 may be disposed at a position where an extension plane of the inspection surface IP crosses the X-ray detector 120. The X-ray take-in unit 121 may include a window portion 122 that transmits X-rays XF, as shown in FIG. 5. The window portion 122 may have, for example, a diameter of several mm and a thickness of several hundred μm. The window portion 122 may be made of, for example, beryllium. As shown in FIG. 5, the inspection device IA may include a slit member 125 having a slit (opening) on ​​a virtual line connecting a position where the X-rays XR from the X-ray generation unit XG are incident on the inspection surface IP and the X-ray take-in unit 121 of the X-ray detector 120. The size of the slit provided in the slit member 125 and the position of the X-ray detector 120 may be determined according to the range on the inspection target surface TS where the X-rays XR hit, the material that may constitute the inspection target surface TS and the foreign matter FS, and the like. As shown in FIG. 7, consider the case where foreign bodies FS1 and FS3 are present at both ends of a width Y on the inspection target surface TS where the X-ray XR hits, and the distance Z from the center of the width Y to the X-ray capture unit 121 is the same length as the width Y. In this case, the width W of the slit s By setting the lower limit of Y×tan θ and the distance X2 between the center of the X-ray capture unit 121 and the inspection surface IP to Y×tan θ, it is possible to detect all foreign objects on the inspection surface TS within the range where the X-rays XR hit.

[0031] In order to increase the intensity of the X-rays XF detected by the X-ray detector 120, the distance D from the X-ray generator XG to the inspection surface IP is xs It is desirable to reduce the distance D xs 1 shows the results of an experiment that shows the relationship between the fluorescent X-ray count (horizontal axis) and the count number (vertical axis) of foreign matter FS detected by the X-ray detector 120. The count number is the total count number (peak count) per certain time of the energy corresponding to the position of the fluorescent X-ray (for example, Ni Kα ray) emitted from a specific element contained in the foreign matter. Considering the count number TH required to identify an element, the distance D from the X-ray generating part XG to the inspection surface IP xsIt is preferable that the thickness is 5 mm or less, more preferable that the thickness is 4 mm or less, and even more preferable that the thickness is 3 mm or less. As the X-ray generating tube 101, for example, a transmission sealed type microfocus X-ray source manufactured by Canon Anelva Corporation, specifically the G series, and more specifically the G-511 series or G-311 series, is useful.

[0032] In order to detect foreign particles of a few μm to a few tens of μm in size with high sensitivity in a transmission image, the distance D from the inspection surface IP to the X-ray detection panel 130 is sf D xs For example, if 10 pixels are required to detect a foreign object with a diameter of 5 μm, and an X-ray detection panel (FPD) with a pixel pitch of 100 μm is used, the magnification required for detection is 100x10 / 5=200 times, and for a foreign object with a diameter of 50 μm, the magnification required for detection is 20 times. Therefore, D sf / D xs It is preferable to set the value to 20 or more, and more preferable to set the value to 200 or more. This enables foreign matter to be detected with high sensitivity using a transmission image.

[0033] The inspection system IA is useful for detecting relics attached to materials in the production process of lithium-ion batteries, for example, but this is only one example and it is also useful for other applications. The inspection system IA may be used, for example, to measure and analyze airborne particles such as PM2.5 that affect the environment and health. In this case, compared to conventional techniques that measure the number and size of particles periodically (for example, every hour or every day), the inspection system IA can measure the number and size of particles and simultaneously identify the substances or elements that make up the particles, enabling more advanced environmental and health measures. Alternatively, the use of the inspection system IA in the field of semiconductors, which have become increasingly miniaturized in recent years, for example, mask manufacturing equipment for EUV, inspection equipment, and inspection equipment for semiconductor manufacturing processes, can improve yields and quickly resolve abnormality causes using elemental information on foreign matter.

[0034] Hereinafter, an inspection method for inspecting an inspection target surface TS arranged on an inspection target surface IP using an inspection device IA will be described. The inspection method may include an X-ray detection step of emitting X-rays toward the inspection target surface IP (inspection target surface TS) and detecting, by an X-ray detector 120, a trajectory vector XF of an X-ray photon emitted from a foreign object FS present on the inspection target surface TS and totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS, and a processing step of processing the output of the X-ray detector 120. The processing step may include a step of detecting a foreign object FS and / or a step of identifying a material constituting the foreign object FS. The inspection method may further include a step of detecting, by an X-ray detection panel 130, an X-ray that has passed through an inspection target object IT having an inspection target surface TS, and in the processing step, the output of the X-ray detector 120 and the output of the X-ray detection panel 130 may be processed. The processing step may include a step of detecting the presence of a foreign object FS and the position of the foreign object FS based on the output of the X-ray detection panel 130. Alternatively, the processing step may include detecting the presence of a foreign object FS, the location of the foreign object FS, and the size of the foreign object FS based on the output of the X-ray detection panel 130.

[0035] FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of the inspection apparatus IA of the second embodiment. Matters not described as the second embodiment may follow the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows X-rays XF11 and XF12 emitted from a foreign object FS1 and totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS. The inspection apparatus IA of the second embodiment may include an X-ray detector 1205 having an elongated X-ray capture unit 1206 extending in a certain direction. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the X-ray capture unit 1206 extends in a direction parallel to a plane parallel to the inspection target surface TS. From another perspective, the X-ray capture unit 1206 extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inspection target IT. From yet another perspective, the X-ray capture unit 1206 extends in a direction parallel to the transport direction DIR of the inspection target IT by the transport mechanism CV. The X-ray capture unit 1206 may have a rectangular shape having short sides and long sides, and the longitudinal direction is a direction parallel to the long sides. The long side may, for example, be three or more times longer than the short side.

[0036] Although not shown in FIG. 9, the inspection apparatus IA may have a slit member having a slit, and the slit member may have a rectangular shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the X-ray intake unit 1206. The slit may be divided into a plurality of partial slits. The slit member is advantageous for improving the detection accuracy of foreign matter. Furthermore, by providing the slit member, the position of the foreign matter can be identified based on the positional relationship between the X-ray intake unit 1206 and the slit.

[0037] The long X-ray capture unit 1206 is advantageous for detecting the foreign object FS1 even in the case where a part of the X-rays emitted from the foreign object FS1 and totally reflected by the inspection target surface TS is blocked by another foreign object FS2. In the example of FIG. 8 shown for reference, the X-rays XF11 emitted from the foreign object FS1 and totally reflected by the inspection target front surface TS may be blocked by the foreign object FS2. However, in the inspection apparatus IA of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the X-rays XF12 emitted from the foreign object FS1 and totally reflected by the inspection target front surface TS may enter the X-ray capture unit 1206. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the longitudinal direction of the X-ray capture unit 1206 may be parallel to a direction intersecting the inspection target surface IP or parallel to a direction perpendicular to the inspection target surface IP.

[0038] FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of the inspection apparatus IA of the third embodiment. Matters not described as the third embodiment may follow the first or second embodiment. The inspection apparatus IA of the third embodiment is configured to inspect an inspection target IT having a first inspection target surface TS1 and a second inspection target surface TS2. The first inspection target surface TS1 and the second inspection target surface TS2 may be opposite surfaces of the inspection target IT. The inspection apparatus IA includes an X-ray generating tube 101, which has a target including an X-ray generating unit XG that generates X-rays by being irradiated with an electron beam, and radiates X-rays XR toward the inspection target IT. The inspection apparatus IA includes an X-ray detector 1201. The X-ray detector 1201 includes an X-ray intake unit 1211. The X-ray take-in unit 1211 takes in X-rays XF11 emitted from a foreign object FS1 present on the first inspection target surface TS1 irradiated with X-rays XR from the X-ray generator XG and totally reflected by the first inspection target surface TS1, and X-rays XF12 emitted from a foreign object FS2 present on the second inspection target surface TS2 irradiated with X-rays XR from the X-ray generator XG and totally reflected by the second inspection target surface TS2. The X-ray take-in unit 1211 may be disposed so as to intersect with a first imaginary plane IP1 including the first inspection target surface TS1 and a second imaginary plane IP2 including the second inspection target surface TS2. In other words, the X-ray take-in unit 1211 may have an area or extent such that it intersects with the first imaginary plane IP1 including the first inspection target surface TS1 and the second imaginary plane IP2 including the second inspection target surface TS2. The first inspection target surface TS1 and the second inspection target surface TS2 may be disposed symmetrically with respect to the imaginary plane VP. The first X-ray intake part 1211 and the second X-ray intake part 1222 can be disposed to face each other across a virtual plane VP. The inspection object IT can be transported by a transport mechanism (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 10. The virtual plane VP can be set parallel to the transport direction of the inspection object IT by the transport mechanism. According to the third embodiment, two surfaces of the inspection object IT can be inspected.

[0039] The inspection apparatus IA may include slit members 1251 and 1252 that respectively limit the X-rays XF11 and XF12 incident on the X-ray intake unit 1211. The X-rays XF11 and XF12 may pass through slits provided in the slit members 1251 and 1252, respectively, and enter the X-ray intake unit 1211. The slit members 1251 and 1252 may be integrated together.

[0040] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An inspection apparatus for inspecting an inspection target surface arranged on an inspection surface, comprising: an X-ray generating tube having a target including an X-ray generating unit that generates X-rays by being irradiated with an electron beam, and emitting X-rays toward the inspection surface; an X-ray detector that detects X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the inspection target surface irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray generating unit and totally reflected by the inspection target surface; an X-ray detection panel that detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation unit and transmitted through an inspection object having the inspection object surface, The X-ray detector has an elongated X-ray capture portion. An inspection device characterized by:

2. a processor for detecting the foreign object based on an output from the X-ray detector, 2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The processor further performs a process of identifying a substance that constitutes the foreign object.

3. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The distance between the inspection surface and the X-ray generating unit is 5 mm or less.

2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. The distance between the inspection surface and the X-ray generating unit is 3 mm or less.

2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. an angle formed by a virtual line connecting an intersection point between an axis of the X-ray generating tube and the inspection surface and a center of the X-ray taking-in part, and the inspection surface is 5° or less; 2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 .

7. an angle formed by a virtual line connecting an intersection point between an axis of the X-ray generating tube and the inspection surface and a center of the X-ray taking-in part, and the inspection surface is 2° or less; 2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 .

8. Further comprising a slit member having a slit on the virtual line, 7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6.

9. The X-ray generating tube is a sealed transmission type.

2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 .

10. The X-ray generating tube includes a target holding plate that holds the target, and the thickness of the target holding plate is 4 mm or less.

2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. The target holding plate comprises diamond.

11. The inspection apparatus according to claim 10.

12. An inspection apparatus for inspecting an inspection target surface arranged on an inspection surface, comprising: an X-ray generating tube having a target including an X-ray generating unit that generates X-rays by being irradiated with an electron beam and a target holding plate that holds the target, and radiating X-rays toward the inspection surface; an X-ray detector that detects X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the inspection target surface irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray generating unit and totally reflected by the inspection target surface; Equipped with the target holding plate includes diamond; The distance between the inspection surface on which the inspection target surface is placed and the X-ray generating unit is 5 mm or less, The X-ray generating tube is of a sealed transmission type, The X-ray detector has an elongated X-ray capture portion. An inspection device characterized by:

13. The longitudinal direction of the X-ray intake unit is parallel to a plane parallel to the inspection target surface.

13. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device is a semiconductor laser.

14. a transport mechanism for transporting an object to be inspected having the inspection surface, the transport mechanism transports the inspection object in a transport direction parallel to the inspection surface, The longitudinal direction is parallel to the conveying direction.

14. The inspection apparatus according to claim 13.

15. A longitudinal direction of the X-ray capture unit is parallel to a direction intersecting the inspection surface.

13. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device is a semiconductor laser.

16. The longitudinal direction of the X-ray intake unit is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the inspection surface.

13. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device is a semiconductor laser.

17. the X-ray generating tube is disposed so that the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generating tube include X-rays that are perpendicularly incident on the inspection surface; 13. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device is a semiconductor laser.

18. An inspection apparatus for inspecting an object having a first inspection surface and a second inspection surface which are opposite surfaces, comprising: an X-ray generating tube having a target including an X-ray generating unit that generates X-rays by being irradiated with an electron beam, and emitting X-rays toward the inspection object; an X-ray detector having an X-ray capture unit that captures X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the first inspection object surface irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray generation unit and totally reflected by the first inspection object surface, and X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the second inspection object surface irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray generation unit and totally reflected by the second inspection object surface, the X-ray take-in unit is disposed such that a first imaginary plane including the first inspection target surface and a second imaginary plane including the second inspection target surface intersect with the X-ray take-in unit; An inspection device characterized by:

19. the X-ray generating tube is disposed so that the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generating tube include X-rays that are perpendicularly incident on an inspection surface on which the first inspection target surface is disposed.

20. The inspection apparatus according to claim 18.

20. 1. An inspection method for inspecting an inspection target surface arranged on an inspection surface, comprising: an X-ray detection step of emitting X-rays toward the inspection surface, and detecting the X-rays emitted from a foreign object present on the inspection target surface and totally reflected by the inspection target surface by an X-ray detector having an elongated X-ray capture portion; detecting, with an X-ray detection panel, X-rays that have passed through an inspection object having the inspection surface; and processing an output of the X-ray detector and an output of the X-ray detection panel.

13. An inspection method comprising:

21. The processing step includes a step of detecting the foreign object.

21. The inspection method according to claim 20.

22. The processing step includes a step of identifying a substance constituting the foreign matter.

21. The inspection method according to claim 20.

23. detecting, with an X-ray detection panel, X-rays that have passed through an inspection object having the inspection object surface; In the processing step, an output of the X-ray detector and an output of the X-ray detection panel are processed.

23. The inspection method according to claim 20, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

24. the processing step includes a step of detecting the presence, position, and size of the foreign object based on an output of the X-ray detection panel.

24. The inspection method according to claim 23.

25. In the X-ray detection step, X-rays are emitted from an X-ray generating tube so as to include X-rays perpendicularly incident on the inspection surface.

23. The inspection method according to claim 20, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

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