Abstract:
A multilayer mirror (7) is constructed and arranged to reflect radiation having a wavelength in the range of 2-8 nm. The multilayer mirror has alternating layers (4, 6), the alternating layers comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first and second layers being selected from the group consisting of : U and B4C layers, Th and B4C layers, La and B9C layers, La and B4C layers, U and B9C layers, Th and B9C layers, La and B layers, U and B layers, C and B layers, Th and B layers, U compound and B4C layers, Th compound and B4C layers, La compound and B9C layers, La compound and B4C layers, U compound and a B9C layers, Th compound and a B9C layers, La compound and a B layers, U compound and B layers, and Th compound and a B layers, wherein at least one of the first layers is separated from the second layer by an interlayer (7) disposed between at least one of the first layers and the second layer.
Abstract:
A radiation system is configured tp generate a radiation beam. The radiation system comprising a chamber that includes a radiation source configured to generate radiation, a radiation beam emission aperture, and a radiation collector configured to collect radiation generated by the source, and to transmit the collected radiation to the radiation beam emission aperture. The radiation collector includes a spectral purity filter configured to enhance a spectral purity of the radiation to be emitted via the aperture. The spectral purity filter comprising: a base substrate; a multilayer stack on the base substrate, the multilayer stack comprising a plurality of alternating layers; and a plurality of recesses in a top side of the multilayer stack, the recesses being configured to allow the radiation having the first wavelength to be reflected in the first direction and to reflect the radiation having the second wavelength in the second direction; wherein the recesses are configured such that, in cross-section, they have a symmetric profile.
Abstract:
A delivery system for use within a lithographic system. The beam delivery system comprises optical elements arranged to receive a radiation beam from a radiation source and to reflect portions of radiation along one or more directions to form a one or more branch radiation beams for provision to one or more tools.
Abstract:
Pellicles or films are disclosed that are suitable for use as protective covers for EUV device lithography reticles (patterning structures). The pellicles pass radiation of wavelength 5nm to 20nm whilst acting as a barrier to particulate deposits on reticles, which would otherwise lead to defects in devices patterned using the reticles. Also disclosed are reticle assemblies and lithographic apparatus including such pellicles, as well as methods for forming the pellicles. The pellicles may have a multilayer configuration, with the central region having two or more layers of silicon alternating with layers of the refractory material. Silicon oxide or nitride may be used as an interfacial layer for adhesion/anti-diffusion between the silicon and the refractory material. The pellicles are capable of self-support when tensioned over a reticle, without need of a support grid, even when sufficiently thin to permit high EUV transmissivity.
Abstract:
A source-collector device is constructed and arranged to generate a radiation beam. The device includes a target unit constructed and arranged to present a target surface (301) of plasma-forming material; a laser unit (50) constructed and arranged to generate a beam of radiation directed onto the target surface so as to form a plasma (51) from said plasma-forming material; a contaminant trap (302) constructed and arranged to reduce propagation of particulate contaminants generated by the plasma; a radiation collector (303) comprising a plurality of grazing-incidence reflectors (303a) arranged to collect radiation emitted by the plasma and form a beam therefrom; and a filter (304) constructed and arranged to attenuate at least one wavelength range of the beam.
Abstract:
A lithographic patterning device deformation monitoring apparatus (38) comprising a radiation source (40), an imaging device (42), and a processor (50). The radiation source being configured to direct a plurality of beams of radiation (41) with a predetermined diameter towards a lithographic patterning device (MA) such that they are reflected by the patterning device. The imaging detector configured to detect spatial positions of the radiation beams (41') after they have been reflected by the patterning device. The processor configured to monitor the spatial positions of the radiation beams and thereby determine the presence of a patterning device deformation. The imaging detector has an collection angle which is smaller than a minimum angle of diffraction of the radiation beams.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a modulator (102, 112) to modulate a plurality of beams according to a desired pattern and a donor structure (208) on to which the modulated beams impinge. The donor structure configured such that the impinging modulated beams cause a donor material to be transferred from the donor structure to a substrate (114).
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a modulator configured to expose an exposure area of the substrate to a plurality of beams modulated according to a desired pattern and a projection system configured to project the modulated beams onto the substrate. The modulator includes a deflector to displace the plurality of beams with respect to an exposure area.
Abstract:
An article such as an EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography reticle is inspected to detect contaminant particles. The inspection apparatus (900) comprises illumination optics (602) with primary radiation (λρ). An imaging optical system with plural branches is arranged to form and detect a plurality of images, each branch having an image sensor (610,910) and forming its image with a different portion of radiation received from the illuminated article. A processor (PU) combines information from the detected images to report on the presence and location of contaminant particles. In one or more branches the primary radiation is filtered out(612), so that the detected image is formed using only secondary radiation emitted by contaminant material in response to the primary radiation. In a dark field imaging branch using the scattered primary radiation, a spatial filter (918) blocks spatial frequency components associated with periodic features of the article under inspection, to allow detection of particles which cannot be detected by secondary radiation.
Abstract:
An imprint lithography method is disclosed for reducing a difference between an intended topography and an actual topography arising from a part of a patterned layer of fixed imprintable medium. The method involves imprinting an imprint lithography template into a layer of flowable imprintable medium to form a patterned layer in the imprintable medium, and fixing the imprintable medium to form a patterned layer of fixed imprintable medium. Local excitation is applied to the part of the patterned layer to adjust a chemical reaction in the part of the patterned layer to reduce the difference between the intended topography and the actual topography arising from the part of the fixed patterned layer of imprintable medium when this is subsequently used as a resist for patterning the substrate. An imprint medium suitable for imprint lithography with the method is also disclosed.