Disclosed is a surface inspection device that performs a defect inspection
throughout a surface of a wafer. In the defect detection using a defect
review SEM, an X-Y coordinate system is set throughout a surface
(excluding a round end face) of a product wafer to allow the inspection
throughout the surface of the product wafer. Therefore, the defect
detection can be performed also in an area other than an effective chip
area. Further, the inspection results of the area are stored in relation
to the coordinates in a position where the inspection results are
acquired. Therefore, the inspection results can be effectively used for
an analysis and a defect cause can be investigated with a higher degree
of accuracy. As a result, the quality and yield of chips can be improved.