Examination method and examination device

Abstract

A change in surface state can be dealt with by setting threshold values different for respective regions of an object to be examined in accordance with a magnitude of noises, thereby improving a detection sensitivity. A function for setting an examination threshold value every region is installed. A function for setting examination threshold values every plurality of detectors spatially independent of each other is installed. The magnitude of noises from the object to be examined differs depending on a spatial direction even in the same region. Therefore, the detection sensitivity is maximized by maximizing an S/N ratio of a detection signal by an optimum signal arithmetic operating process according to the magnitude of noises from the object to be examined every detector and every region of the object to be examined and by setting the optimum threshold values.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.