Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion lithographic projection apparatus. SOLUTION: The immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which an immersion liquid is sealed between a final element of a projection system and a substrate. Use of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is disclosed. The use of the layers helps to prevent formation of bubbles in the immersion liquid and reduce residue on the elements after being immersed in the liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic method and/or an assembly where aberration sensitivity can be determined.SOLUTION: There is provided a lithographic method of determining sensitivity of a property of a pattern feature to changes in optical aberrations of a lithographic apparatus used for providing a pattern feature. The method includes the steps of: controlling a configuration of the lithographic apparatus so as to establish a first aberration state; forming a first image of the pattern feature with the lithographic apparatus when the lithographic apparatus is in the first aberration state; measuring a property of the image; controlling a configuration of the lithographic apparatus so as to establish a second different aberration state; forming an image of the same pattern feature with the lithographic apparatus when the lithographic apparatus is in the second aberration state; measuring the same property of the image; and determining the sensitivity of the property of the pattern feature to the changes in the aberration state using the measurement value.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for cleaning the inside of a immersion lithographic apparatus.SOLUTION: In particular, cleaning fluid may be introduced into a space between a projection system and a substrate table of a lithographic apparatus by using a liquid supply system of the lithographic apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, a cleaning device may be installed on the substrate table, and an ultrasonic emitter may be provided to produce ultrasonic liquid.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion lithographic projection apparatus.SOLUTION: The immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which an immersion liquid is enclosed between a final element of a projection system and a substrate. The use of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is disclosed. The use can help to prevent the formation of bubbles in the immersion liquid and to reduce a residue on the elements after being immersed in the immersion liquid.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem in a prior art that, after each scanning operation, the direction of mask scanning operation and the direction of substrate scanning operation are reversed and a substrate is moved even across the scanning direction, thus consuming a time. SOLUTION: A lithography apparatus includes an illumination system. The illumination system is arranged to provide a first radiation beam forming a first mask illumination zone and at the same time, and to provide a second radiation beam forming a second mask illumination zone. The first and second mask illumination zones are arranged to illuminate the same mask at the same time. The lithography apparatus also includes a light projection system. The projection system projects the first radiation beam so as to form a first substrate illumination zone and at the same time, and projects the second radiation beam so as to form a second substrate illumination zone. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus which applies a desired angular intensity distribution to a radiation beam by using an array of mirrors, this radiation beam overcoming or alleviating one or more shortcomings of a lithographic apparatus used for projecting a pattern onto a target part of a substrate. SOLUTION: A lithographic apparatus conditions a radiation beam using an illumination system. In the conditioning step, an array of individually controllable elements and associated optical components of the illumination system are controlled so that the radiation beam is converted into a desired illumination mode. This controlling step allocates different individually controllable elements to different parts of the illumination mode in accordance with an allocation scheme selected for providing a desired modification of one or more properties of the illumination mode, the radiation beam or both. Furthermore, the lithographic apparatus patterns the radiation beam to have a pattern in its cross-section, and projects the patterned radiation beam onto a target part of a substrate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus and a method of manufacturing a device. SOLUTION: There is disclosed a lithographic projection apparatus for use with an immersion liquid placed between the final element of a projection system and a substrate W. There are disclosed a plurality of methods for protecting components of the projection system, a substrate table, and a liquid confinement system are disclosed. These methods include a step of applying a protective coating on the final element 20 of the projection system and a step of providing sacrificial bodies to an upstream side of the components. Further, there is disclosed a final optical element composed of two components made from CaF 2 . COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system that can more quickly change a pattern at a lower cost, as compared with a mask base system. SOLUTION: The tilt and position of individually controllable element becomes simultaneously adjustable and allows a wider range of contrasts to be achieved. This can also be used to compensate for cupping of individually controllable elements. Simultaneous adjustment of both the position and the tilt of the individually controllable elements can be attained by two electrodes which are operable over a range of values. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A radiation system comprising a beam splitting apparatus configured to receive a main radiation beam and split the main radiation beam into a plurality of branch radiation beams and a radiation alteration device arranged to receive an input radiation beam and output a modified radiation beam, wherein the radiation alteration device is configured to provide an output modified radiation beam which has an increased etendue, when compared to the received input radiation beam, wherein the radiation alteration device is arranged such that the input radiation beam which is received by the radiation alteration device is a main radiation beam and the radiation alteration device is configured to provide a modified main radiation beam to the beam splitting apparatus, or wherein the radiation alteration device is arranged such that the input radiation beam which is received by the radiation alteration device is a branch radiation beam output from the beam splitting apparatus.