Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide lithographic equipment in which a liquid supply system keeps liquid in a space between the final component of the projection system and a substrate by a liquid sealing system. SOLUTION: The liquid supply system 100 is further equipped with a de-mineralizing unit 130, a distillation unit 120, and a UV radiation source 145 to purify an immersion liquid. Chemicals can be added to the immersion liquid to inhibit the growth of living organisms. The components of the liquid supply system 100 can be made of materials non-transparent to visible light to prevent the growth of living organism. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion-type lithography projection apparatus. SOLUTION: In the immersion-type lithography apparatus, an immersion liquid is confined between a final element of a projection system and a substrate. Both of hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers are used on various elements of the apparatus. The use of them helps to prevent air-bubble formation in the immersion liquid, and reduce residues remained on the elements after immersion in the immersion liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for cleaning the inside of a liquid immersion lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: Particularly, cleaning fluid can be supplied to a space between the projection system of a lithographic apparatus and a substrate table by the liquid supply system of the lithographic apparatus. Additionally or as an alternative plan, a cleaning device can be arranged on the substrate table, or an ultrasonic emitter can be arranged in order to produce ultrasonic liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of effectively compensating for a positional shift including a tilt between a substrate and a supporting structure and a vertical displacement when moving the substrate in a lithographic projection apparatus using the supporting structure. SOLUTION: By providing compliant parts (14, 26) in the supporting structure for holding and moving a substrate (W), for example, a supporting frame (18) of a robot arm (10) adaptable to the tilt and/or the vertical displacement. Clamps (20, 22, 24) that the supporting frame (18) comprises may be a Johnson-Raybeck effect type clamp that requires a stringent positional precision, and the cleaning of the inside of the projection apparatus is carried out by using only one substrate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,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)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for cleaning the inside of an immersion lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: In particular, the liquid supply system of the lithographic apparatus may be used to introduce a cleaning fluid into a space between the projection system and the substrate table of the lithographic apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, a cleaning device may be provided on the substrate table, and an ultrasonic emitter may be provided to create an ultrasonic cleaning liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method which eliminates the need for a double stage in an immersion exposure divice and enables quick and accurate measurement of height. SOLUTION: Immersion lithography equipment comprises a single stage, where the height of a substrate is measured, and exposure is performed at the same time; measurement information is stored by a sensor for measuring the height of the substrate, and the stored information is read to control the positioning of the substrate, such that a measured part is moved from a projection optical system underneath the optical axis separated by a predetermined distance. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate table of a immersion lithographic equipment which is made so as to prevent contamination due to an immersion liquid. SOLUTION: A substrate table WT is provided with a drainage groove, i.e. a barrier 40 which surrounds an outer periphery of a substrate W and a barrier 100 which surrounds another object 20 such as a sensor which exists in the substantially same surface as the upper surface of the substrate W. Since the barriers 40 and 100 can collect all liquid which falls from a liquid feed system while exposing the substrate W, a risk that fine components of the lithographic projection equipment is contaminated is reduced. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method capable of effectively compensating an inclination between a substrate and a support structure or a misregistration including a displacement in the vertical direction when the substrate is moved by the support structure in a lithographic projection apparatus. SOLUTION: By providing a support structure for holding and moving a substrate (W), for example, flexible sections (14, 26) in a support frame (18) of a robot arm (10), it can be adapted to the tilt and/or a displacement in the vertical direction. Clamps (20, 22, 24) provided on the support frame (18) may be a Johnson-Raybeck effect type clamp, which requires the severe position accuracy, and can perform a cleaning treatment in a projection apparatus by only one substrate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI