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 an immersion type lithography projection apparatus with improved functionality. SOLUTION: The lithography projection apparatus includes: a radiation system Ex, IL also equipped with a radiation source LA, for providing the projection beams PB of radiation; a first object table (mask table) MT connected to a first positioning means, for correctly positioning a mask with respect to a member PL; a second object table (substrate table) WT connected to a second positioning means, for correctly positioning a substrate with respect to the member PL; and a projection system PL for forming an image of the radiated part of the mask MA on the target part C of the substrate W. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography projection apparatus in which the space between the final element of a projection system, where the liquid loss from a supply system is minimized during exposure of the edge part of a substrate, and the substrate is filled with a liquid.SOLUTION: An edge sealing member 17 has an upper primary surface which is substantially in flush with the upper primary surface of a substrate W, and surrounds the substrate W or other object on a substrate table at least partially. Consequently, catastrophic liquid loss is prevented when the image at an edge part of the substrate W is captured or the edge part is illuminated even if the section under a projection lens PL is operated.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for correcting an exposure parameter of an immersion lithographic apparatus, and to provide a device and/or a computer program product.SOLUTION: In this method, an exposure parameter is measured using measuring beams 22, 24 projected through a liquid between the projection system PL and a substrate table of the immersion lithographic apparatus, and offset is determined based on a change of a physical property influencing measurement made using the measuring beams to at least partly correct the measured exposure parameter. Also, the height of an optical element connected to liquid between the projection system and the substrate table in the immersion lithographic apparatus is measured.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic projector in which the space between a final element of a projecting system and a substrate is filled with a liquid. SOLUTION: An edge sealing member 17 surrounds at least a part of a substrate W or other objects on a substrate table WT to prevent catastrophic liquid loss, when the edge of the substrate is imaged or illuminated. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent or reduce generation of residual liquid, for example, on a substrate and/or substrate table after exposure of the substrate, in an immersion lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: In immersion lithography, after the exposure of the substrate is completed, a detector is used to detect the residual liquid that remains on the substrate and/or substrate table. When the residual liquid is detected, an alarm signal may be generated to instruct an operator to take measures of manual correction. When an automatic drying system is started or a drying process is already executed alternatively, the apparatus is restarted. An error code flag may be added to instruct a track unit on execution of an additional drying step such as spin drying before sintering after exposure or other processes which are likely to be affected by liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A method (500) for cleaning an article such as a EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography reticle is provided. The method includes evacuating a cleaning chamber and loading the article to be cleaned into the cleaning chamber (510); preparing the environment of the chamber (520) by connecting the cleaning chamber to a vapor source while controlling pressure in the cleaning chamber to a predetermined pressure; controlling a temperature of the article relative to a temperature of the vapor source so as to form a liquid film (530) over the article and over particles present on the article; isolating the cleaning chamber from the vapor source; evaporating the liquid film (540) by exposing the cleaning chamber to one or more condensing surfaces whose temperature is lower than that of the article, the evaporating liquid transporting at least a portion of the particles away from the article, which is then unloaded from the chamber (560). The cleaning steps (520) to (540) can be repeated (550) as desired. An electrostatic trap may be provided to capture particles released by the evaporation. The cleaning technique can be used in a lithographic apparatus and in manufacturing a device having critical surfaces, such as a wafer, a semiconductor film, or surface of an apparatus employed in the manufacture of a semiconductor device.
Abstract:
A liquid supply system for an immersion lithographic apparatus provides a laminar flow of immersion liquid between a final element of the projection system and a substrate. A control system minimizes the chances of overflowing and an extractor includes an array of outlets configured to minimize vibrations. [Figure No.1]
Abstract:
A lithographic apparatus comprises: an illumination system; a support structure; a substrate table; a projection system and a heating system. The illumination system is configured to condition a radiation beam. The support structure is constructed to support a reticle and pellicle assembly for receipt of the radiation beam conditioned by the illumination system. The substrate table is constructed to support a substrate. The projection system is configured to receive the radiation beam from the reticle - pellicle assembly and to project it onto the substrate. The heating system is operable to heat a pellicle of the reticle - pellicle assembly supported by the support structure. A method for using a reticle - pellicle assembly comprises: illuminating the reticle - pellicle assembly with a radiation beam so as to form a patterned image on a substrate; and heating the pellicle of the reticle - pellicle assembly using a separate heat source.