Abstract:
A lithographic apparatus includes a number of sensors for measuring positions of features on a substrate prior to applying a pattern. Each sensor comprises an imaging optical system. Position measurements are extracted from pixel data supplied by an image detector in each sensor. The imaging optical system includes one or more light field modulating elements and the processor processes said pixel data as a light-field image to extract said position measurements. The data processor may derive from each light-field image a focused image of a feature on the substrate, measuring positions of several features simultaneously, even though the substrate is not at the same level below all the sensors. The processor can also include corrections to reduce depth dependency of an apparent position of the feature include a viewpoint correction. The data processor can also derive measurements of heights of features on the substrate.
Abstract:
A mask assembly suitable for use in a lithographic process, the mask assembly comprising a patterning device; and a pellicle frame configured to support a pellicle and mounted on the patterning device with a mount; wherein the mount is configured to suspend the pellicle frame relative to the patterning device such that there is a gap between the pellicle frame and the patterning device; and wherein the mount provides a releasably engageable attachment between the patterning device and the pellicle frame.
Abstract:
A radiation source (SO), which is operable to produce pulses of radiation, comprises: a wall (9,21) with an aperture (8,22); a radiation collector; a rotatable shield (200); and a drive mechanism (230) arranged to rotate the shield about a rotation axis (222). The radiation source may be a laser produced plasma source. The radiation collector is arranged to direct pulses of radiation along an optical axis of the radiation collector and focus the pulses of radiation at an intermediate focus, said optical axis passing through the aperture and said intermediate focus being in the vicinity of the aperture. The shield comprises a body (210) with one or more openings, said one or more openings forming a passageway extending through the body. The drive mechanism is arranged to rotate the shield such that the passageway is intermittently aligned with the aperture as each pulse of radiation reaches the shield to allow the pulses of radiation to pass through the aperture in the wall, and the body at least partially covers the aperture in between consecutive pulses of radiation. The rotation axis of the shield is generally perpendicular to the optical axis of the radiation collector.
Abstract:
An alignment system, method and lithographic apparatus are provided for determining the position of an alignment mark, the alignment system comprising a first system configured to produce two overlapping images of the alignment mark that are rotated by around 180 degrees with respect to one another, and a second system configured to determine the position of the alignment mark from a spatial distribution of an intensity of the two overlapping images.
Abstract:
A radiation system comprising a beam splitting apparatus configured to receive a main radiation beam and split the main radiation beam into a plurality of branch radiation beams and a radiation alteration device arranged to receive an input radiation beam and output a modified radiation beam, wherein the radiation alteration device is configured to provide an output modified radiation beam which has an increased etendue, when compared to the received input radiation beam, wherein the radiation alteration device is arranged such that the input radiation beam which is received by the radiation alteration device is a main radiation beam and the radiation alteration device is configured to provide a modified main radiation beam to the beam splitting apparatus, or wherein the radiation alteration device is arranged such that the input radiation beam which is received by the radiation alteration device is a branch radiation beam output from the beam splitting apparatus.
Abstract:
Capacitive measurements for monitoring vapor or deposits from a vapor in a radiation source for a lithography apparatus. The measurements may be used to control operation of the radiation source. In one particular arrangement measurements from a plurality of capacitors are used to distinguish between changes in capacitance caused by the vapor and changes in capacitance caused by deposits from the vapor.
Abstract:
A lithographic apparatus includes an alignment sensor including a self-referencing interferometer for reading the position of an alignment target comprising a periodic structure. An illumination optical system for focusing radiation into a spot on said structure. An asymmetry detection optical system receives a share of positive and negative orders of radiation diffracted by the periodic structure, and forms first and second images of said spot on first and second detectors respectively, wherein said negative order radiation is used to form the first image and said positive order radiation is used to form the second image. A processor for processing together signals from said first and second detectors representing intensities of said positive and negative orders to produce a measurement of asymmetry in the periodic structure. The asymmetry measurement can be used to improve accuracy of the position read by the alignment sensor.
Abstract:
A mask assembly suitable for use in a lithographic process, the mask assembly comprising a patterning device; and a pellicle frame configured to support a pellicle and mounted on the patterning device with a mount; wherein the mount is configured to suspend the pellicle frame relative to the patterning device such that there is a gap between the pellicle frame and the patterning device; and wherein the mount provides a releasably engageable attachment between the patterning device and the pellicle frame.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an optical arrangement for use in an exposure apparatus, comprising: an object table assembly configured to hold and move an object in a plane of the object; and an optical scanning assembly configured to receive a radiation beam, direct the radiation beam towards the object so as to illuminate at least an area of the object in the plane of the object, and subsequently collect at least part of the radiation beam coming from the object; wherein the object table assembly and at least a part of the optical scanning assembly are operable to move concurrently while the object is being illuminated by the radiation beam such that the optical scanning assembly moves the radiation beam in a direction substantially anti-parallel to a direction of movement of the object table assembly thereby scanning the radiation beam over at least a portion of said object.
Abstract:
A mask assembly suitable for use in a lithographic process, the mask assembly comprising a patterning device; and a pellicle frame configured to support a pellicle and mounted on the patterning device with a mount; wherein the mount is configured to suspend the pellicle frame relative to the patterning device such that there is a gap between the pellicle frame and the patterning device; and wherein the mount provides a releasably engageable attachment between the patterning device and the pellicle frame.