Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion lithographic apparatus in which generation of bubbles in the immersion liquid is reduced.SOLUTION: An immersion lithographic projection apparatus has a liquid confinement structure configured to at least partly confine liquid to a space between a projection system and a substrate. The confinement structure having a buffer surface, when in use, is positioned in close proximity to a plane substantially comprising the upper surface of the substrate and of a substrate table holding the substrate, to define a passage having a flow resistance. A recess is provided in the buffer surface. The recess, when in use, is normally full of immersion liquid to enable rapid filling of a gap between the substrate and substrate table as the gap moves under the buffer surface. The recess may be annular or radial and a plurality of recesses may be provided.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase a stable operating range of active damping.SOLUTION: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, and a support constructed to support a patterning device. The lithographic apparatus further includes a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate, and a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. An active damping system is provided to damp a vibration of at least part of the projection system. The active damping system includes a combination of a sensor to measure a position quantity of the projection system and an actuator to exert a force on the projection system in dependency on a signal provided by the sensor. The active damping system is connected to a damping mass, which is connected to the projection system.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved cooling arrangement for an optical element in a vacuum optical system such as a projection system of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography apparatus.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a heat adjustment method for an optical element that operates in a vacuum environment. The optical element includes a first main body having at least one optical face and at least one heat transfer surface. The position and/or direction of the first main body 1 is controlled dynamically. The method comprises: a step of controlling the temperature of a second main body having a second heat transfer surface to a desired temperature; a step of positioning the second main body adjacently to the first main body and dynamically controlling the position and/or direction of the second main body so that the first and second heat transfer surfaces are maintained in a substantially fixed arrangement without the contact between the main bodies; and a step of delivering gas as a heat transfer medium into a heat transfer space defined by the first and second heat transfer surfaces while controlling a gas pressure in the heat transfer space to be at a predetermined value between approximately 30 Pa and approximately 300 Pa.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion lithographic projection apparatus.SOLUTION: The immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which an immersion liquid is enclosed between a final element of a projection system and a substrate. The use of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is disclosed. The use can help to prevent the formation of bubbles in the immersion liquid and to reduce a residue on the elements after being immersed in the immersion liquid.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method for effectively carrying and focusing the laser beam to the selected place within the EUV light source.SOLUTION: The EUV radiation generator includes a structure for defining an optical gain medium formed to generate laser radiation for interaction with a target material to generate the EUV radiation releasing plasma and an aperture through which the laser radiation can be guided. The structure also includes a radiation guide having the external surface that is constituted to guide the laser radiation to be separated from the optical gain medium.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus and a method of manufacturing a device. SOLUTION: There is disclosed a lithographic projection apparatus for use with an immersion liquid placed between the final element of a projection system and a substrate W. There are disclosed a plurality of methods for protecting components of the projection system, a substrate table, and a liquid confinement system are disclosed. These methods include a step of applying a protective coating on the final element 20 of the projection system and a step of providing sacrificial bodies to an upstream side of the components. Further, there is disclosed a final optical element composed of two components made from CaF 2 . COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography projection apparatus in which space between a substrate and a projection system is filled with liquid while minimizing the quantity of the liquid required to be accelerated during a stage operation. SOLUTION: In the lithography projection apparatus, space between a final element of the projection system and a substrate table of the lithography projection apparatus is surrounded by a sealing member. A gas seal is formed between the sealing member and a plane of the substrate and the liquid is confined in the space. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography system incorporating interference lithography apparatuses, which makes it possible to scan over a substrate so as to expose continuous parts of a pattern on respective regions of the substrate and can be used for generating the densest portion of the pattern on the substrate. SOLUTION: The lithography system includes two lithography apparatuses. The first lithography apparatus projects a radiation beam with a pattern on a first target portion of the substrate, and the second lithography apparatus includes an interference arrange which splits the radiation beam and recombines the split beams to generate an interference pattern. A masking arrange selectively transmits a part of the interference pattern, and a projection system transfers the selectively transmitted part of the interference pattern on a second target portion of the substrate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for accurately aligning and/or leveling a substrate in an immersion lithography apparatus. SOLUTION: A map of the surface of a substrate is generated at a measurement station. The substrate is then moved to a place where a space between a projection lens and the substrate is filled with a liquid. The substrate is then aligned using, for example, a transmission image sensor and, using the previous mapping, the substrate can be accurately exposed. Thus the mapping does not take place in a liquid environment. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus, an alignment apparatus, a device manufacturing method, an aligning method, and a method of converting an apparatus. SOLUTION: An amount of liquid in an optical path of projection beams PB or alignment beams is detected by a detector 22, and then an optical element 10 required for focusing the projection beams or the alignment beams onto a surface of a substrate W is determined among a plurality of compensating optical elements by a controller 21. The appropriate optical element 10 is directly arranged in the optical path of the projection beams or the alignment beams as a final element for a projection system PL or a projection alignment system, respectively. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT