Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interferometric displacement measuring system for use in a lithographic projection apparatus having increased precision in spite of pressure and temperature disturbances in the optical paths of measurement and reference beams. SOLUTION: Measurement values of an interferometric measurement system are corrected for variations of atmospheric conditions such as pressure, temperature and turbulence using measurement values from a second harmonic interferometer. A ramp, representing the dependence of the SHI (second harmonic interferometer) data on a path length, is removed before use of the SHI data. The SHI may use a passive Q-switched laser as a light source and Brewster prisms in a receiver module. Optical fibers may be used to conduct light to detectors. A mirror reflecting the measurement beams has a coating of a thickness selected to minimize the sensitivity of the SHI data to changes in the coating thickness. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure the position of a substrate table at a high accuracy, using a displacement measuring system. SOLUTION: A displacement measuring system 1 includes: a first x-sensor 4 for measuring the position of a substrate table 2 in a first direction; a second y-sensor 6 for measuring the position of the substrate table 2 in a second direction; and a second x-sensor 5. The first and second x-sensors 4, 5 and the first and second y-sensors 6, 7 are constituted to measure their respective sensor positions relative to at least one lattice plate 3. The displacement measuring system 1 selectively uses the first and second x-sensors 4, 5 and the first and second y-sensors 6, 7 according to the position of the substrate table 2, thus determining the position of the substrate table 2 in the three degree of freedom. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position determination system for measuring the position of an object. SOLUTION: This system comprises: a first increment value measuring unit for measuring the first distance step of a first number at the distance between a reference frame and the object, in which the first number is equal to the value obtained by adding a first fraction to a first integer; and a second increment value measuring unit for measuring the second distance step of a second number at the distance between the reference frame and the object, in which the second number is equal to the value obtained by adding a second fraction to the first integer. The position determination system is constructed and arranged to initialize the second increment value measuring unit based on the first number and the second fraction. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interferometer system improved in a lithograph system. SOLUTION: This interferometer system is provided with a beam production mechanism, a beam reflecting mirror, and a sensing device for detecting interference pattern of overlapped reflection beam. The beam production mechanism contains a beam splitter which partitions beam into a reference beam and a measuring beam, a reference mirror for providing a plane mirror interferometer, and a reflection surface which radiates at least one reference beam used for a differential plane mirror interferometer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide lithography equipment in which an interference measuring system is improved, and a device manufacturing method. SOLUTION: In one embodiment regarding at least one reflecting surface of an interference measuring system in use, one beam path of the interferometer radiation of the interference measuring system that is incident to at least one reflecting surface is arranged so that it has an offset angle located in a region from 0.1 to 10 milliradian with respect to at least one normal of the reflecting surface, and an influence caused by spurious radiation generated in the interference measuring system with respect to the interference measuring system is suppressed by it. Therefore, the accuracy and reproducibility of accurate location measurement using the interference measuring system are improved. In the other embodiment, the parallel side face plate is used for the interference measuring system so that it obtains a signal depending on an angle of a radiation beam reflected by a mirror, and the flatness of the mirror is mapped by it. One side surface of the plate is a beam splitter, and the opposite side of the plate is a reflector. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography projection equipment including an assembly which determines the position of pattern forming means relative to projection system more accurately. SOLUTION: A lithography projection equipment 1 includes a supporting structure MT which is constituted so that it might hold the pattern forming means (for instance, a reticle). When a projection beam PB irradiates the reticle, the projection beam is patterned with a pattern on the reticle. A projection system PL is constituted and arranged in order to image the irradiated part of the reticle onto the target portion of a substrate. The assembly determining the spatial position of the reticle relative to the projection system PL is equipped. The assembly includes a measuring unit equipped with some sensors which are enough in number to determine required spatial position. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interferometer displacement measuring system of high precision to be used in a lithography projector even when the pressure and temperature in an optical path of measurement beams and reference beams are disturbed externally. SOLUTION: The measured values by an interference measurement system are corrected in relation to the variations in the state of the atmosphere such as that both in pressure and in temperature, and turbulence by using the measured values by a second harmonic interferometer 10. A ramp that indicates the dependence relationship of SHI data on the length of a channel is removed before the SHI data is used. It is possible for the SHI to use a passive Q-switched laser as a light source and a Brewster prism in a receiver module. Optical fibers can be used to guide light to a detector. A mirror 17 for reflecting the measurement beam has a coating whose thickness has been selected so that the sensitivity of the SHI data to the change in coating thickness will be reduced to the minimum level. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
A lithographic apparatus includes a displacement measuring system to measure a position of a moveable object with respect to a reference frame of the lithographic apparatus, in at least three coplanar degrees of freedom (x, y, Rz) of an orthogonal x-y-z coordinate system centred in the center of the moveable object. The moveable object includes a support structure configured to support a patterning device or a substrate table configured to support a substrate. The displacement measuring system includes at least three sensor heads, each sensor head being positioned with a measuring direction substantially coplanar with the x-y plane of the coordinate system and each sensor head being furthermore positioned with the measuring direction substantially perpendicular to a connection line connecting the sensor head with the center of the movable object and extending coplanar with the x-y plane.
Abstract:
In an interferometric displacement measuring system, a correction for beamshear is made. The correction may be a polynomial of a variable proportional to the length of the optical path traversed by the measurement beam and the angle of the measurement mirror. The correction compensates for errors caused by non-planarity of the wavefront of the measurement beam.