Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange a mask table (5), a projection system (3), a substrate table (1) that can be moved to the projection system (3) by a driving unit (21) and a measuring system (39) measuring the position of the substrate table (1) with respect to the projection system (3) in a lithography device. SOLUTION: The still part (157) of the driving unit (21) is fixed to the machine frame (85) of the lithography device. The still parts (51, 53 and 55) of the measuring system (39) are fixed to the reference frame (89) of the lithography device which is dynamically insulated from the machine frame (85) by a dynamic insulating device (95). Thus, vibration which occurs in the machine frame (85) is prevented from being transmitted to the reference frame (89) by reaction force of the driving unit (21), and precision of the measuring system (39) is prevented from being adversely affected by such vibration. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To resist a movement of a machine frame due to a reactive force that a positioner exerts on the supporting member of an object table as much as possible. SOLUTION: During the operation of an optical lithographic device, a force actuator system with the force actuators 69, 71, 73 exerts a compensating force whose value is substantially equal to the value of the reactive force on the machine frame in the direction reverse to the reactive force acting on the support member 3 simultaneously by a positioner 35. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography projector having a Lorentz driver which can keep its performance while the weight of a back iron is reduced. SOLUTION: This Lorentz driver generates a force between its first part and second part. The Lorentz driver has a main magnet system which is attached to its first part and generates a first magnetic field; an auxiliary magnet system which is attached to its first part, is arranged in a hullback arrangement and generates a second magnetic field; and a conductive element which is attached to the second part and arranged so as to generate a force between the first and second parts of the driver by mutual reaction between a current applied thereto and the combination of the first and second magnetic fields.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved precision measurement system which is not easily influenced by errors and does not occupy a large space.SOLUTION: A system to detect motion of a main body comprises: the main body; a first diffraction grating 40, 42 substantially stationarily attached to a reference frame; a second diffraction grating 50, 52 attached to the main body; and a detector 60, 61, 62, 63 configured to receive one or more radiation beams diffracted by the first and second diffraction gratings and detect motion of the main body relative to the reference frame. The detector 60, 61, 62, 63 is coupled to the main body, and movable relative to the main body.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and a method capable of effectively masking a part of a mask of a lithography projection apparatus during scanning and a static exposure. SOLUTION: A lithography apparatus comprises a masking device for covering at least a part of patterning means used for patterning a projected beam, before image formation of a patterned beam is performed on a substrate. The masking device comprises a first masking means for covering the part of the patterning means in a first direction and a second masking means for covering the part of the patterning means in a second different direction, and the first and second masking means are not mutually mechanically connected and arranged near the focal surface. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce flexibility and resulting internal deformations by increasing stiffness and/or damping of a body of an object.SOLUTION: A positioning system to position a movable object having a body includes an object position measurement system, an object actuator, and an object controller. The positioning system further includes a stiffener to increase the stiffness and/or to damp relative movements within the body of the object. The stiffener includes: one or more sensors each arranged to determine a measurement signal representative of an internal strain or relative displacement in the body; one or more actuators each arranged to exert actuation force on a part of the body; and at least one controller configured to provide, on the basis of the measurement signal of at least one of the sensors, an actuation signal to at least one of the actuators to increase the stiffness and/or to damp movements within the body.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce flexibility and resulting internal deformations by increasing stiffness and/or damping of a body of an object.SOLUTION: A positioning system to position a movable object having a body includes an object position measurement system, an object actuator, and an object controller. The positioning system further includes a stiffener to increase the stiffness and/or to damp relative movements within the body of the object. The stiffener includes: one or more sensors each arranged to determine a measurement signal representative of an internal strain or relative displacement in the body; one or more actuators each arranged to exert actuation force on a part of the body; and at least one controller configured to provide, on the basis of the measurement signal of at least one of the sensors, an actuation signal to at least one of the actuators to increase the stiffness and/or to damp movements within the body.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic projection equipment including a means which selectively penetrates a projection beam, before imaging the pattern-formed beam on a substrate. SOLUTION: The means can include one of the following devices, that is, a selective penetration device, located downstream of a patterning means in a direction of the projection beam, a masking blade which is fixed or is movably set in a scanning system, and an arrayed, exchangeable element. The means can be located in a structure of a mask table, a flame, or the lithographic projection equipment. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve accuracy in positioning a substrate table and/or a supporting material.SOLUTION: The lithography apparatus includes a lighting system structured to adjust a radiation beam, a supporting material structured to support a patterning device that is capable of forming the radiation beam having a pattern by giving the pattern to the cross-section of the radiation beam, a substrate table structured to hold the substrate, and a projecting system structured to project the radiation beam having the pattern to a target part of the substrate. The substrate table and/or supporting material is or are provided with an acceleration meter for measuring acceleration of the substrate table and/or supporting material. The apparatus includes a calculator for calculating a location signal based on the acceleration from the acceleration measured by the acceleration meter through communication with the acceleration meter.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position measuring system to a patterning device of a lithographic apparatus wherein deviation between the patterning device and a patterning device support is considered. SOLUTION: The lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system constituted to adjust a radiation beam, the patterning device support constituted to support the patterning device, the patterning device capable of imparting a pattern to a radiation beam at its cross section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate support constituted to hold a substrate, a projection system constituted to project the patterned radiation beam to a target of the substrate, and an encoder-type measurement system constituted to continuously determine a position quantity of the patterning device supported on the patterning device support by using a grid or a grating provided on the patterning device at least during the projection of the patterned radiation beam to a target of the substrate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT