Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-stage system in which two stages are able to approach each other.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for controlling a multi-stage system. The multi-stage system comprises: a stator extending parallel in a first direction; and first and second stages that are moveable relative to the stator. The stages have a magnet system to generate a magnetic field. The stator has a plurality of coils. The coils interact with the magnetic fields to position the stages relative to the stator. The method includes: determining the positions of the stages; selecting first and second subsets of coils that may have a non-negligible interaction with the magnetic field of each of the first and the second stages; and driving electric coils of both subsets. Driving the coils includes: determining the coils that are a part of both subsets; and excluding a coil that is a part of both subsets from a driving target.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve mechanical insulation between elements of a projection system.SOLUTION: A lithographic apparatus having means for reducing the extent to which vibrations propagate between a first element of a projection system and a second element of the projection system, and a device manufacturing method are disclosed. The method includes the use of a plurality of elastic members in series as a part of a vibration insulation system, a plurality of insulation frames for separately supporting first and second projection system frames, and corrected connection positions for the interaction between the first and second projection system frames and the insulation frame(s).
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 improve the measurement of a variability of MSD that influences the uniformity of CD. SOLUTION: A test method includes operating a lithographic apparatus several times while deliberately imposing a relatively large dynamic positioning error at different specific frequencies and axes (504). Variations (CDU) in the error (CD) in an applied pattern are measured for different frequencies and amplitudes of the injected error over a frequency band of interest for a given axis. Calculation using the measurements and knowledge of the frequencies injected (508, 510) allows analysis of dynamic positioning error variations in frequency bands correlated with each injected error frequency. Based on parameters of patterning operations and a relationship between the injected axis and the measured axis, a correlation function (CF) is used in the calculation. A CD sensitivity is measured by operating the apparatus at a reduced speed and injecting errors at frequencies determined by the null frequency of scanning slit filter response. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance projection accuracy in a lithographic device. SOLUTION: The lithographic device is equipped with an illumination system constituted to adjust an irradiation beam, a supporting body constituted to support a patterning device capable of forming a patterned irradiation beam by setting a pattern on the sectional surface of the irradiation beam, a substrate table constituted to support a substrate, and a projection system constituted to project the patterned irradiation beam to the target of the substrate. Furthermore, the lithographic device has a projection and transcription measuring structure to measure the optical projection and transcription data of the projection system. The projection and transcription measuring structure is equipped with an optical device to introduce a measuring beam into the projection system during scanning, a detector to detect the measuring beam passing through the projection system during scanning, and a measuring processor to determine the optical projection and transcription data from the detected measuring beam. The optical device and the detector are arranged at the upper-stream end of the projection system. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid a problem related to expansion and contraction of a template. SOLUTION: The imprint lithography apparatus is arranged away from a substrate holder 58 and arranged between a structure 64 and the substrate holder 58 during the use of imprint template arrangements 50, 52. The structure 64 includes one or more arrays of lines or one or more encoders, and a substrate 56 or the substrate holder 58 and the imprint template have one or more encoders 68 that face the one or more arrays of lines or one or more arrays of lines that face the one or more encoders 68. The configuration determination arrangement is configured to determine a relative configuration between the substrate 56 or substrate holder 58 and the structure 64, and/or a relative configuration between the imprint template arrangements 50, 52 and the structure 64, and/or a relative configuration between the imprint template arrangements 50, 52 and the substrate 56 or substrate holder 58. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
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 provide a projection assembly wherein the bandwidth for which vibrations of the projection system or parts thereof can be damped, is increased. SOLUTION: The projection assembly PA includes: a projection system PS; and a damper system including an interface damping mass IDM and an active damping subsystem configured to dampen a vibration of at least part of the interface damping mass IDM. The interface damping mass IDM is connected to the projection system PS. The active damping subsystem includes a sensor SENS configured to measure a position of the interface damping mass IDM, an electromagnetic actuator ACT configured to exert a force on the interface damping mass IDM, and a controller CONT configured to drive the electromagnetic actuator ACT based on signals provided by the sensor SENS. The active damping subsystem includes a reaction mass RM for the electromagnetic actuator, configured to exert a counterforce based on a signal provided by the first sensor. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a support device and a lithographic apparatus small in rigidity. SOLUTION: An air mount 20 includes gas 8 between a gas chamber wall 10 and a movable member 12, and thus, provides a supporting force between a target 4 and a floor 6. In the air mount 20, a flexible film 22 is formed on the gas chamber wall 10. When pressure in a gas chamber is increased, the flexible film 22 is moved outwardly. Thus, the volume of the gas chamber is increased so as to at least partially compensate an increase in the pressure. When the pressure in the gas chamber is reduced, the flexible film 22 is moved inwardly. Thus, the volume of the gas chamber is reduced so as to at least partially compensate a decrease in the pressure. Therefore, the flexible film 22 effectively alleviates an effect of vibration on the gas chamber wall 10, and the rigidity of the air mount 20 is effectively reduced. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve accurate calibration of encoder stage position measurement. SOLUTION: In a calibration method to calibrate an encoder position measurement system of a stage, the encoder position measurement system includes an encoder grid and at least two sensor heads cooperating with the encoder grid, each sensor head providing a sensor head output signal showing position sensitivity in a horizontal and a vertical direction, and the method includes: (a) moving the stage such that the sensor heads are moved with respect to the encoder grid, or vice versa; (b) during the moving, measuring the position of the stage with respect to the encoder grid by the two sensor heads; (c) determining a vertical position data map from the sensor head output signals of the two sensor heads; (d) calculating a horizontal position data map from the vertical position data map; and (e) calibrating the encoder position measurement system by using the calculated horizontal position data map. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT