Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide immersion lithography equipment suitable for preventing or reducing generation of bubbles by preventing bubbles from leaking to a radiation beam passage through one or more gaps in a substrate table, or by extracting bubbles possibly generated in the gap. SOLUTION: The lithography equipment is arranged to project an image of desired pattern onto a substrate W held on a substrate table WT through liquid. A gap 22 exists in the surface of the substrate table between the substrate table and the outer edge of the substrate, or between the substrate table and other component touching the liquid during normal use. The lithography equipment is provided, in the gap, with a bubble holding device arranged to hold a bubble 24 possibly generated in the gap. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate releasing mechanism used in an immersion-type lithographic device that is configured to be isolated from a substrate table by dislocating a substrate after a step including the immersing while holding the substrate on the substrate table. SOLUTION: In the immersion-type lithographic device that immerses the surface of the substrate in a liquid during an exposure operation, the substrate is held with the same contacted with the substrate table. After the exposure operation is over, the substrate is lifted and isolated from the substrate table. To overcome a condition that the substrate tends to be affixed to the substrate table with the film of a residual liquid, a pin for lifting the substrate is disposed so as to apply a force to the substrate at a position that is offset from a central axis at least first and is actuated. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve focus latitude and/or stabilize contrast control by an immersion lithography apparatus changing focus positions in accelerating a substrate table during exposure. SOLUTION: The last element 50 of a projection system that is a parallel plate used for sealing a projection system PL from an immersion liquid 10 by immersion lithography changes the angle of incidence of a projected beam when tilting to the optical axis of the device. By passively using the force generated by this immersion liquid and moving the last element, the focus is continuously changed at every points on the substrate to improve the focus latitude. Moreover, there are indicated some methods such as tilting the projected beam to the substrate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid supply system which minimizes voltage variation and/or temperature variation of liquid without causing unnecessary disturbance due to mechanical vibration, in a lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: Liquid is supplied to a reservoir 10 between a final element of a projection system PS and a substrate by an inlet 21. An overflow removes the liquid above a given level. The overflow is arranged above the inlet and thus the liquid is constantly refreshed and the pressure in the liquid remains substantially constant. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the distortion of an image due to the temperature gradient of a substrate and an immersion liquid, in a liquid immersed projection exposure apparatus. SOLUTION: In an immersed lithographic apparatus including a temperature control unit for adjusting the temperature of a member in the final state of a projection exposure apparatus PL, a substrate, and an immersion liquid to a common target temperature T4, the temperature gradient is reduced, by adjusting the total temperature of these constituent components. By doing so, the matching properties of image formation and the total performance are improved. The means to be used includes a control of the flow rate of the immersion liquid and the temperature by a feedback circuit. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion-type lithography projection device with improved functionality.SOLUTION: An immersion-type lithography projection device comprises: a radiation systems Ex, IL which are provided with a radiation source LA and supply projection beams PB of radiation; a first object table (mask table) MT connected to first positioning means for correctly positioning a mask with respect to a member PL; a second object table (substrate table) WT connected to second positioning means for correctly positioning a substrate with respect to the member PL; and a projection system PL for forming an image of a radiated part of the mask MA on a target part C of a substrate W.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion-type lithographic projection apparatus with improved functionality.SOLUTION: The immersion-type lithographic projection apparatus comprises: a radiation system Ex which is provided with a radiation source LA and supplies a radiation projection beam PB; an illumination system IL; a first object table (mask table) MT connected to first positioning means for accurately positioning a mask to a member PL; a second object table (substrate table) WT connected to second positioning means for accurately positioning the substrate to the member PL; and a projection system PL for imaging an irradiated part of a mask MA on a target part C of a substrate W. This apparatus also includes at least one sensor that is disposed so as to be illuminated with a radiation projection beam that has passed through an immersion liquid.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce defects caused by using an immersion liquid in an immersion liquid lithographic apparatus.SOLUTION: The lithographic apparatus includes: a support configured to support a patterning device, where the patterning device can impart a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section, to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; a liquid supply system configured to provide a liquid to a local area of a top surface of a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate through the liquid. The lithographic apparatus is configured to coordinate movement of the substrate table and the support during imaging of a line of dies across the substrate and this is accomplished by movement of the line of dies under the projection system backwards and/or forwards only in a direction substantially parallel to a first direction, where the first direction is in a plane substantially parallel to the top surface.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus for reducing a remaining liquid on a surface of a substrate after exposure by a projection system. SOLUTION: In this lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system PL is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system 310 above the surface of the substrate W can be varied using actuators 314. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate W to maintain the liquid supply system 310 at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate W. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To take countermeasures against a bad influence of a liquid in an immersion lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: The lithographic apparatus includes a supporting structure MT for supporting a pattern providing device MA. The pattern providing device provides a pattern to a radiation beam PB in accordance with a desired pattern. The lithographic apparatus further includes a substrate table WT for supporting a substrate; a projection system PL for projecting a pattern-provided beam to a target portion of the substrate W; a measurement system for measuring a parameter of (a) the substrate table, or (b) the substrate, or (c) an image projected by the projection system or (d) a combination of any of (a)-(c); and a liquid supplying system for supplying a liquid to a space between the substrate and the projection system. The lithographic apparatus also includes a shield arranged near one part of the measurement system, and shielding the part of the measurement system from the liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT