Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method which can determine an error introduced to a spot array by the array of a focusing element in lithography apparatus. SOLUTION: The lithography apparatus has a radiation beam inspection device which includes: a barrier of a radiation beam having an opening allowing the passage of a part of the radiation beam; and a radiation sensor for determining an intensity of radiation passing through the opening, and a position of a point where radiation is incident on the radiation sensor relative to the opening. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithography apparatus, and an apparatus manufacturing method utilizing dynamic correction of magnifications and positions in the maskless lithography. SOLUTION: The lithography apparatus is composed so that sizes and/or positions of features formed on a substrate are adjusted by adjusting irradiation intensity at the boundary between pattern features. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a configuration for relatively adjusting positions of beams on a substrate, formed into a pattern generated by a light engine with respect to the substrate. SOLUTION: In this configuration, an array of image forming elements for forming the image of a part of the beams formed into a pattern on respective points on the substrate is moved relatively with respect to an array of individually controllable elements for forming beamed into a pattern by giving a pattern. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method using a more effective distance sensor. SOLUTION: A lithographic apparatus includes: an illumination system; a support part configured to support a patterning device; and a projection system. In pixel grid imaging, a large number of small optical spots are imaged onto a substrate surface by using a micro-lens array (MLA). The z position of the MLA is adjustable in order to focus the spots on the substrate surface and/or to compensate differences in the height of the substrate surface. Convergence adjustment is performed based on an output of an ultrasonic distance sensor arranged in the vicinity of the substrate surface. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove unwanted droplets of an immersion fluid from a surface of a lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: The immersion lithographic apparatus is provided which has an electrode set to remove unwanted droplets of an immersion fluid from a particular surface. Unwanted droplets of immersion fluid may form on a plurality of different surfaces of the immersion apparatus, such as on a liquid barrier member. If allowed to evaporate and/or dry, those droplets may cause a problem such as uncontrolled heat loading of the apparatus and/or staining of the surface. An electrode set is provided on a surface where the droplets are likely to be formed. A controlled voltage is applied to the electrodes within the electrode set to electrostatically remove the droplets from the surface. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure adjusting the position on a substrate of a patterned beam generated by a light engine relative to the substrate. SOLUTION: This structure moves an array of focusing elements, each of which focuses a portion of the patterned beam onto a point on the substrate, relative to an array of individually controllable elements to impart the pattern to the patterned beam. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce errors caused by thermal expansion of a lithography apparatus and/or a substrate. SOLUTION: To prevent a substrate from expanding significantly to generate superposed errors an exposure operation takes place in two steps. A first step exposes boundary areas 11 and a second step exposes the larger, bulky areas 12. In one example, a portion of the substrate is held standstill and the substrate is exposed progressively from parts furthest from the held portions towards the held portion. In another example, a plurality of high velocity scans take place instead of a single slow scan, and the substrate is allowed to cool between the high velocity scans. In another example, a lithographic apparatus is heated in order to maintain a temperature differential between the apparatus and the surrounding environment, and to minimize any fluctuation due to the exposing radiation. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a variable lens and an exposure system in a micro lens array exposing device. SOLUTION: The variable lens is equipped with cylindrical electrodes 2 forming capillary tubes, which are sealed with a transparent front element 4 and a transparent rear element 6 so as to form a fluid chamber 5 containing two fluids. The two fluids A and B are immiscible with each other, are separated into two fluid portions, and form a meniscus 14. When a low voltage V1 is applied to the electrode 2, the contact angle is 140°. A shape of the meniscus 14 can be changed with the applied voltage. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method which can determine an error introduced to a spot array by the array of a focusing element in a lithography apparatus. SOLUTION: The lithographic apparatus has a radiation beam inspection device including: a barrier to the beam of radiation, the barrier having an aperture through which a portion of the beam of radiation passes; and a radiation sensor that determines the intensity of the radiation passing through the aperture and the position, relative to the aperture, of the point at which the radiation is incident on the radiation sensor. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus equipped with an array of individually controllable elements, and a data processing pipeline. SOLUTION: The array of individually controllable elements modulates a beam of radiation. The data processing pipeline converts a first representation of a requested dose pattern to a sequence of control data suitable for controlling the array of individually controllable elements so as to substantially form the requested dose pattern on a substrate. The data processing pipeline compresses an offline preprocessing device and an online rasterizer. The offline pre-processing device converts the first representation of the requested dose pattern to an intermediate representation, which is rasterized in a fewer number of operations than the first representation. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT