Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus improved from a liquid supply system configured to supply immersion liquid into interspace between a terminal element of a projection system and a substrate, so as to efficiently remove the liquid from the vicinity of the substrate. SOLUTION: The liquid supply system includes a sealing member for forming a seal between its own undersurface and the substrate to substantially store the liquid in the space. A recess is formed in the undersurface and connected to a first pressure source and a second pressure source for extracting the liquid and/or gas. The first pressure source has lower pressure than the second pressure source, gas flow generated from the second pressure source to the first pressure source, and the liquid and/or gas extracted by the flow. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography apparatus, having a liquid feed system configured to supply immersion liquid to spacing between the final element and substrate of the projection system, for which the improvement is made so that the liquid from the near-by area of the substrate can be removed efficiently. SOLUTION: This liquid feed system comprises a seal component for forming a sealing between the lower surface of the system and the substrate that virtually accommodates the liquid in the spacing. A concave section is formed on the lower surface, and the concave section is connected with a first pressure source and a second pressure source for extracting the liquid and/or gas. The first pressure source is set to be at a lower pressure level than that of the second pressure source so that the gas flow is produced, from the second pressure source to the first pressure source. The liquid and/or gas can be extracted due to this flow. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion apparatus having an effective means of removing an immersion liquid from a surface. SOLUTION: A gas knife formed to dry the surface in an immersion type lithographic apparatus is optimized to remove a liquid by establishing a pressure gradient in a liquid film on the dried surface. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system efficiently and effectively eliminating an energy loss in lithography equipment when a relevant component is locally cooled by the evaporation of a supplied liquid, and defocus and lens aberration are caused by transformation and alteration in immersion lithography for filling a gap between a projection system and a substrate with an immersion liquid in order to increase the number of holes. SOLUTION: A timetable 34 is prepared having information on time at which the evaporation of a supplied liquid 11 is the most likely caused, the position of a substrate W, a speed, an acceleration speed and the like. The evaporation of a local area is prevented by heating at least a portion of the substrate W by using a heater according to the timetable 34 by using a liquid evaporation control device 30 or sending humidified air. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system that efficiently and effectively eliminate energy loss in a lithographic apparatus where a related component is locally cooled by evaporation of a supplied liquid and may be deformed and change in quality to possibly cause defocusing and lens aberrations during immersion lithography in which the part between a projection system and a substrate is filled with an immersion liquid so as to increase a numerical aperture. SOLUTION: A schedule table 34 is prepared which contains information regarding time when the supplied liquid 11 is most apt to evaporate, the position, speed, acceleration, etc. of the substrate, and a liquid evaporation controller 30 heats at least part of the substrate W by a heater or sends humidifying air according to the schedule table 34 to prevent local evaporation. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid supply system that can be operated continuously, irrespective of changes in scan direction of a substrate relative to a projection system, while ensuring thorough refreshment of a liquid reservoir. SOLUTION: In a scanning immersion lithographic apparatus, immersion liquid is supplied on one side of the space between the projection system and the substrate and drained on the other side so that the flow of liquid is substantially perpendicular to the scan direction. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system that efficiently and effectively eliminates such energy loss in a lithographic apparatus as occurs by evaporation of a provided liquid which locally cools associated components leading to deformations and deterioration that may cause defocus and lens aberration in immersion lithography where a space between a projection system and a substrate is filled with an immersion liquid to increase the numerical aperture.SOLUTION: A timetable 34 is prepared which comprises information regarding the time and the position, the speed, the acceleration etc. of the substrate W at which evaporation of a provided liquid 11 is most likely to occur. A liquid evaporation controller 30 heats at least a part of the substrate W by a heater or sends humidified air to prevent local evaporation, according to the timetable 34.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion apparatus having an effective means for removing an immersion liquid from a surface. SOLUTION: A gas knife configured to dry the surface in an immersion lithographic apparatus is optimized to remove the liquid by ensuring that a pressure gradient is built up in a liquid film on the surface being dried. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus, having a liquid feed system configured to supply immersion liquid to spacing between a final element of a projection system and a substrate, for which the improvement is made so that the liquid from the near-by area of the substrate can be removed efficiently. SOLUTION: This liquid feed system comprises a seal member for forming a seal between the undersurface of itself and the substrate to virtually store the liquid in the spacing. A recessed section is formed on the undersurface, and the recessed section of the undersurface is connected with a first pressure source and a second pressure source for extracting the liquid and/or gas. The first pressure source is set at a lower pressure level than that of the second pressure source so that the gas flow is produced, from the second pressure source to the first pressure source, and the liquid and/or gas can be extracted by this flow. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT