Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus having a liquid supply system, wherein a substrate can be moved in different directions without switching a direction of a liquid flowing between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and the substrate. SOLUTION: The immersion lithographic apparatus includes a liquid supply system which has an inlet configured to supply the liquid to a space between the projection system of the lithographic apparatus and the substrate and an outlet configured to remove at least a part of the liquid and is configured to rotate the inlet, the outlet, or both of them about an axis substantially perpendicular to an exposure plane of the substrate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for alleviating the problem concerning the presence of a dipping liquid in a lithographic projection apparatus. SOLUTION: In the lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supplying system supplies the dipping liquid between the last element of the projection apparatus and a substrate. An active drying station is provided to actively remove the remained dipping liquid from the exposed substrate W or other objects. The active drying station is equipped with a gas stream forming means or a dipping liquid dissolving liquid supplying means for dissolving the dipping liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent or reduce the occurrence of residual liquid on the substrate and/or substrate table after the exposure of a substrate, in an immersion type lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: In immersion lithography, after the exposure of a substrate is completed, a detector is used for detecting residual liquid that remains on the substrate and/or substrate table. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate table of an immersion lithographic apparatus configured to prevent contamination with immersion liquid. SOLUTION: The substrate table WT includes a drainage groove, i.e. a barrier 40 which surrounds an outer peripheral edge of the substrate W and a barrier 100 which surrounds another object 20 like a sensor present on substantially the same plane with a top surface of the substrate. The barriers 40 and 100 can collect any liquid which is spilt from the liquid supply system while the substrate W is exposed to reduce the risk of contamination of delicate components of the lithographic projection apparatus. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of an immersion lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: A cleaning fluid can be introduced into a space between a projection system and a substrate table of the lithographic apparatus by especially using a liquid supply system 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 liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and equipment for cleaning the interior of oil immersion lithographic equipment. SOLUTION: Cleaning fluid can be introduced into a space between the projection system and the substrate table of lithographic equipment by especially using the liquid supply system of the lithographic equipment. Additionally or alternatively, a cleaning device may be provided on the substrate table, and an ultrasonic emitter may be provided in order to produce ultrasonic liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus, in which a liquid supply system maintains a liquid in a space between a final element of a projection system and a substrate with a liquid confinement system. SOLUTION: A liquid supply system 180 further comprises a de-mineralizing unit 130, a distillation unit 120 and a UV radiating source 145 for the purification of an immersion liquid. Chemicals can be added to the immersion liquid for the inhibition of organism growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of organisms is reduced. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide immersion lithography equipment suitable for preventing or reducing generation of bubbles by preventing bubbles from leaking to a radiation beam passage through one or more gaps in a substrate table, or by extracting bubbles possibly generated in the gap. SOLUTION: The lithography equipment is arranged to project an image of desired pattern onto a substrate W held on a substrate table WT through liquid. A gap 22 exists in the surface of the substrate table between the substrate table and the outer edge of the substrate, or between the substrate table and other component touching the liquid during normal use. The lithography equipment is provided, in the gap, with a bubble holding device arranged to hold a bubble 24 possibly generated in the gap. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate releasing mechanism used in an immersion-type lithographic device that is configured to be isolated from a substrate table by dislocating a substrate after a step including the immersing while holding the substrate on the substrate table. SOLUTION: In the immersion-type lithographic device that immerses the surface of the substrate in a liquid during an exposure operation, the substrate is held with the same contacted with the substrate table. After the exposure operation is over, the substrate is lifted and isolated from the substrate table. To overcome a condition that the substrate tends to be affixed to the substrate table with the film of a residual liquid, a pin for lifting the substrate is disposed so as to apply a force to the substrate at a position that is offset from a central axis at least first and is actuated. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate table of an immersion lithographic apparatus which is configured to prevent contamination with immersion liquid. SOLUTION: The substrate table WT is provided with a drainage ditch or barrier 40 surrounding an outer circumferential edge of the substrate W and a barrier 100 surrounding other objects 20 like sensors positioned in the same plane substantially as the upper surface of the substrate W. The barriers 40 and 100 are configured to collect all of liquid spilled from a liquid supply system while the substrate W is exposed, so thereby reducing the risk of contamination of fine components in the lithographic projection apparatus. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT