Abstract:
A method of position control of an optical component relative to a surface is disclosed. The method may include: obtaining a first signal by a first position measurement process; controlling relative movement between the optical component and the surface for a first range of motion using the first signal; obtaining a second signal by a second position measurement process different than the first position measurement process; and controlling relative movement between the optical component and the surface for a second range of motion using the second signal, the second range of motion being nearer the surface than the first range of motion.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a parallel metrology sensor system comprising a reference frame and a plurality of integrated optics sensor heads, each integrated optics sensor head configured to perform an independent measurement. Each of the integrated optics sensor heads is operable to measure its position with respect to the reference frame.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to measuring a target. In one arrangement, a measurement apparatus is provided that has an optical system configured to illuminate a target with radiation and direct reflected radiation from the target to a sensor. A programmable spatial light modulator in a pupil plane of the optical system is programmed to redirect light in each of a plurality of pupil plane zones in such a way as to form a corresponding plurality of images at different locations on the sensor. Each image is formed by radiation passing through a different respective one of the pupil plane zones.
Abstract:
A sensor is disclosed, wherein a transducer generates acoustic waves, which are received by a lens assembly. The lens assembly transmits and directs at least a part of the acoustic waves to a target. The lens assembly then receives at least a part of acoustic waves, after interaction with the target. The sensor further comprises an optical detector that comprises at least one optically reflective member located at a surface of the lens assembly, which surface is arranged opposite to a surface of the lens assembly which faces a focal plane of the lens assembly, wherein the at least one optically reflective member is mechanically displaced in response to the acoustic waves, which are received and transmitted by the lens assembly.
Abstract:
An alignment sensor in a lithographic apparatus comprises an optical system (500; 600) configured to deliver, collect and process radiation selectively in a first waveband (e.g. 500-900 nm) and/or in a second waveband (e.g. 1500-2500 nm). The radiation of the first and second wavebands share a common optical path (506-508; 606) in at least some portion of the optical system, while the radiation of the first waveband is processed by a first processing sub-system (552a) and the radiation of the second waveband (552b) is processed by a second processing sub-system. The processing subsystems in one example comprise self-referencing interferometers (556a/556b; 656a/656b). The radiation of the second waveband allow marks to be measure through an opaque layer (308) such as carbon hard mask. Optical coatings and other components of each processing sub-system can be tailored to the respective waveband, without completely duplicating the optical system.
Abstract:
In an alignment sensor (AS) of a lithographic apparatus (LA), position sensing radiation (222) is delivered to a target (P1). After reflection or diffraction from the target, position sensing radiation (226) is processed (228, 336, 338) to determine a position of the target. Reference radiation (362) interferes with the position sensing radiation (226) while a relative phase modulation is applied between the reference radiation and the position sensing radiation. The interfering radiation includes a time-varying component defined by the applied phase modulation. The interfering radiation is delivered to two photodetectors (338a, 338b) in such a way that each photodetector receives said time-varying component in anti-phase to that received at the other photodetector. A difference signal (i(t)) from said photodetectors contains an amplified, low noise version of said time-varying component. This is used in determining the position of the target. Mode matching enhances interference. Surface scattered radiation is rejected.
Abstract:
A method involving providing incident radiation of a first polarization state by an optical component into an interface of an object with an external environment, wherein a surface is provided adjacent the interface and separated by a gap from the interface, detecting, from incident radiation reflected from the interface and from the surface, radiation of a second different polarization state arising from the reflection of incident radiation of the first polarization at the interface as distinct from the radiation of the first polarization state in the reflected radiation, and producing a position signal representative of a relative position between the focus of the optical component and the object.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for position control of a component relative to a surface is disclosed. The method may include calculating an estimated effect of, or derived from, Casimir force acting between the component and the surface, and compensating positioning of the component relative to the surface using the estimated effect.
Abstract:
A particle transfer system, including: a particle trap apparatus configured to trap a plurality of particles; and a particle conveyance structure configured to convey the particles in parallel from the particle trap apparatus to a substrate. In an aspect, the particle transfer system is included in a patterning system for generating a pattern on a substrate.
Abstract:
An optical multiplexer, comprising: an optical waveguide; a plurality of resonators optically coupled with the optical waveguide; and a plurality of detectors, each detector of the plurality of detectors being associated with one of the resonators, each of the resonators being tuned to an individual resonance wavelength different from resonance wavelengths of other resonators of the plurality of resonators, wherein each detector of the plurality of detectors is configured to change an optical path length or refractive index of the associated resonator.