To measure etching depth during etching or film thickness during film formation.
A first interference wave is detected according to respective reflected waves 17c and 17d from a first surface of a semiconductor wafer 1 and a reference mirror 13. Then, the first surface of the semiconductor wafer 1 is etched to deform the first surface into a second surface. Then, a second interference wave is detected according to respective reflected waves 17c and 17d from the second surface of the semiconductor wafer 1 and the reference mirror 13. Then, the phase difference between the first interference wave and the second interference wave is converted to a voltage value, and this voltage value is applied to a piezoelectric element 15, to which the reference mirror 13 being fixed, to displace the piezoelectric element 15 and move the reference mirror 13.
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