Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic projection apparatus in which a space between the substrate and projection system is filled with a liquid while minimizing the volume of the liquid that must be accelerated during stage movements. SOLUTION: In the lithographic projection apparatus, a seal member surrounds a space between the final element of the projection system and a substrate table of the lithographic projection apparatus. A gas seal is formed between the seal member and the surface of the substrate to contain the liquid in the space. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact position measurement unit for a lithographic apparatus or the like. SOLUTION: A measurement unit to measure a position in first and second dimensions includes a diffraction type encoder and an interferometer. The diffraction type encoder measures by means of a diffraction on first and second diffraction gratings (G1, G2) the position in the first dimension of the second grating (G2) with respect to the first grating (G1). The interferometer measures the position in the second dimension of a mirror (MI). The measurement unit includes a combined optical unit (COU) to transfer an encoder measurement beam (EMB) as well as an interferometer measurement beam (IMB). Further, the measurement unit may include a combined light source for the encoder as well as the interferometer. One of the first and second diffraction gratings (G1, G2) may further show some degree of zero order reflection to provide the mirror (MI) of the interferometer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography apparatus which enables a user to adjust an aperture ratio in a limited space and is not affected by contaminants, and to provide a method for manufacturing a device. SOLUTION: The lithography apparatus includes an illumination system composed to supply a radiation beam and a projection system composed to project the radiation beam on a target of a substrate. At least either of the illumination system and the projection system includes a focusing element for reflecting or bending the beam. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of diaphragm disks which have apertures penetrating the diaphragm disks, and a disk positioning apparatus composed so that one of the diaphragm disks is arranged near the focusing element in order to adjust the aperture ratio (NA) of the projection system or the illumination system. The apparatus also includes a disk-replacing apparatus, is provided outside the projection system or the illumination system and constituted so as to select one of the diaphragm disks and to supply the selected diaphragm disk to the disk-positioning apparatus. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide immersion lithography equipment in which the generation of air bubbles in an immersion liquid is reduced. SOLUTION: Immersion lithography projection equipment has a liquid-confining structure configured so as to confine liquid at least partially in a space between a projection system and a substrate. The confining structure has a buffering plane which is arranged when in use, very close to the a plane substantially including the substrate and the top surface of a substrate table that holds the substrate, and defines a path having flow resistance. In this buffering plane, recesses are formed and normally filled with liquid when in use so that a gap is rapidly filled therewith when the gap between the substrate and the substrate table moves under the buffering plane. The recess may be formed into an annular or a radial shape so that a plurality of recesses can be arranged. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography instrument including a substrate table and a movement control system for controlling the movement of the substrate table. SOLUTION: The movement control system includes three positional detectors P1 to P5 which are established to detect the position of a substrate table WT. To measure the position and the orientation of the substrate table WT, the three position detectors P1 to P5 have optical encoders of one-dimensional or multi-dimensional types. The optical encoders are disposed such that they provide at least six position values in total so that at least one position value is provided for each of three dimensions. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography system using a programmable patterning means, in order to turn into pattern a projection beam in which throughput is enhanced, without significantly increasing the update speed of the patterning means. SOLUTION: The lithography system drives two programmable patterning means 11 and 12, using a control signal from a computer 10, in order to pattern two different beams 13 and 14 being projected to two substrates 19 and 20. Since two substrates are exposed selectively using the same data the throughput of the lithography system substantially is doubled. In order to guarantee correct response to each patterning means 11, 12 to the control signal from the computer 10, signal to each patterning means may be adjusted using calibration units 21 and 22. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simpler lithographic apparatus which can image a pattern larger than an exposure field. SOLUTION: A lithographic apparatus has a mask table which is designed to hold a mask at two or more positions. Firstly, exposure is performed by using the mask at a first position. Next, secondary exposure is performed by using the mask at a second position. This allows a mask having a pattern region larger than the exposure field to be imaged. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the effective control of optical performance of oil immersion lithography projection system possible. SOLUTION: The apparatus is an oil immersion lithography apparatus comprising a lens having optical characteristic which can be adjusted by an adjusting device formed from oil immersion liquid filled up between the final element of projection system and a substrate. The adjusting device is constituted so that it may adjust property of liquid lens, for example, shape, composition, refractive index or absorption index as a function of volume or time, and it can modify imaging performance of oil immersion lithography apparatus. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus which can adapt to variations in the substrate thickness by adjusting the mobility of a liquid confinement system, and can increase a distance from the substrate prior to replacement, and is protected from damage caused by the liquid confinement system at the time of collision, and a device manufacturing method using it. SOLUTION: In this lithographic projection apparatus, the movement of a liquid confinement system, which confines liquid within a localized area between a final element of a projection system and a substrate, is restricted in the direction of the optical axis of the apparatus by stoppers attached to a base frame or the projection system. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic projection apparatus, in which a liquid supply system maintains a liquid in a space between a final element of a projection system and a substrate with a liquid confinement system. SOLUTION: The liquid supply system further comprises a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit and a UV radiating source for the purification of an immersion liquid. Chemicals may be added to the immersion liquid for the inhibition of organism growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of organisms is reduced. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI