Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved gay scaling imaging method and a system. SOLUTION: The Improved gray scaling imaging method and the system include a group of elements within an array of individually controllable elements that make a part of a radiation beam project to a lens in an array 302 of microlenses and are individually controllable so that any number of the individually controllable elements may be switched on or off to generate a gray scale. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To disclose a lithography projector in which a space between the final element of a projection system and a substrate is filled with liquid. SOLUTION: Hermetic edge sealing members 17 and 117 surround a substrate W on a substrate table WT or another object at least partially thus preventing the catastrophic loss of the liquid when the edge part of the substrate is imaged or illuminated. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method which is used when a device having circuit patterns on both sides of a substrate is manufactured by using a lithographic projection apparatus, and is used in order to calibrate an alignment system for aligning the patterns on both sides with required alignment precision. SOLUTION: A constitution procedure uses a calibration substrate HW which has reference markers WM1, WM3 on opposite sides and is transparent to an alignment beam. The position of the surface side reference marker WM3 is determined by an ordinary method. The position of the rear side reference marker WM1 is determined by the alignment beam penetrating the calibration substrate HW. In order to compensate for the shift in the focal position of the marker WM1 relating to the marker WM3, a planar plate 50 is arranged on the calibration substrate HW, in such a manner that the marker WM1 is seen on a plane in front of the calibration substrate HW. Thus the procedure which can be understood directly and easily is provided. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
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 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 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 formed at a measurement station. Then the substrate is moved to the place of which space between a projection lens and the substrate is filled with liquid. Subsequently, the substrate is aligned with, for example, a transmission image sensor to expose exactly according to the map formed previously. In this way, the mapping is never carried out under an environment of liquid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic projection apparatus which minimizes a liquid loss from a supply system during the exposure of ends of a substrate, in liquid immersion exposure. SOLUTION: Liquid is limited by a middle plate 210 located between the liquid supply system and the substrate W. Spaces 222, 215 among the middle plate 210, a transmitted image sensor (TIS) 220, and the substrate W are also filled with the liquid 111. This procedure can be performed by two separated space liquid-supply systems via holes 230, 240, or can be performed by the same space liquid-supply system via the holes 230, 240. Therefore, both the space 215 between the substrate W and the middle plate 210, and the space 225 between the transmitted image sensor 220 and the middle plate 210 are filled with the liquid, so that both the substrate W and the transmitted image sensor can be illuminated under the same condition. A part 200 provides one or a plurality of support surfaces with the middle plate 210 which can be held at a predetermined position by a vacuum source. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography projector in which a 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 projector, the space between the final element of the projection system and the substrate table of the lithography projector is surrounded by a sealing member. A gas seal is formed between the sealing member and the plane of the substrate and the liquid is confined in that space. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic projection apparatus in which a space between the substrate and projection system is filled with a liquid while minimizing the volume of the liquid that must be accelerated during stage movements. SOLUTION: In the lithographic projection apparatus, a seal member surrounds a space between the final element of the projection system and a substrate table of the lithographic projection apparatus. A gas seal is formed between the seal member and the surface of the substrate to contain the liquid in the space. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography apparatus having projection beams of uniform intensity, and to provide a method for manufacturing a device. SOLUTION: An illumination system for supplying projection radiation beams, an array of plural elements capable of being controlled individually for patterning projection radiation beams, a projection system for projecting patterned beams on a target plane, and a substrate table for supporting the substrate, such that the target surface of the substrate coincides with the target plane are comprised; and the projection system comprises an array of plural lenses configured such that the individual lenses receive the individual parts of the patterned beams and gathers them. The apparatus comprises a sensor system for detecting the intensity distribution of the projection radiation pattern and an alignment system, capable of controlling such that the position and/or orientation of at least one of the array of plural elements, the components of the projection system, and the illumination system is adjusted on the basis of the detection result. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI