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 moderate a defect induced by an immersion liquid in an immersion lithography projection apparatus where a liquid removal system surrounds a liquid supply system for providing liquid to a space between a projection system and a substrate. SOLUTION: The liquid removal system 100 is moveable relative to the liquid supply system (partially shown as a barrier member 12) and is controlled to have substantially zero velocity relative to the moving substrate table. The gap between the liquid supply system (partially shown as the barrier member 12) and the liquid removal system 100 may be covered and the atmosphere between the liquid supply system and the liquid removal system above the substrate table may be maintained so that the vapor pressure of liquid is relatively high. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To moderate a defect induced by an immersion liquid in an immersion lithography projection apparatus where a liquid removal system surrounds a liquid supply system for providing liquid to a space between a projection system and a substrate. SOLUTION: The liquid removal system 100 is moveable relative to the liquid supply system (partially shown as a barrier member 12) and controlled to have substantially zero velocity relative to the moving substrate table. The gap between the liquid supply system (partially shown as the barrier member 12) and the liquid removal system 100 may be covered and an atmosphere between the liquid supply system and the liquid removal system above the substrate table may be maintained so that the vapor pressure of liquid is relatively high. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system that reduces lithography errors caused by immersion liquid.SOLUTION: A lithographic apparatus comprises: an illumination system configured to adjust a radiation beam; a support body configured to support a pattern forming device capable of imparting a pattern to the radiation beam in a cross section of the radiation beam to form a pattern formed radiation beam; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the pattern formed radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a liquid supply system configured to fill at least a part of space between a final element of the projection system and the substrate with liquid; a seal member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space between the final element of the projection system and the substrate; and elements to control and/or compensate for evaporation of the immersion liquid from the substrate.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device that does not cause vibration and other disturbance by effectively removing liquid from the vicinity of a substrate. SOLUTION: A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure difference across the porous member may be maintained at the bubble point or lower of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow can be obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,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 various types of pressure regulation means for reducing a pressure gradient in a liquid supply system of a lithographic apparatus.SOLUTION: The liquid supply system has a liquid confinement structure configured to at least partially confine a liquid between a projection system and a substrate table of the lithographic apparatus. A high pressure gradient may cause particulate contamination in the liquid supply system and/or liquid confinement structure. A pressure gradient can be reduced by, for example, the use of slow switching in one or more valves, a bleed flow around or through one or more valves, diversion of liquid to a drain rather than or in addition to switching a valve off, a pressure regulator or flow restrictor to prevent shock waves, and a buffer liquid/damper to compensate for pressure fluctuation.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect an immersion fluid from an atmospheric environment in an immersion lithographic apparatus.SOLUTION: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed in which a liquid supply system is configured to supply a liquid to a region between a substrate W and a projection system PL of the lithographic apparatus and which has a liquid confinement structure fixed in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system PL and configured to hold the substrate W in order to restrict the liquid to a region above an upper surface of a substrate table WT so that a side of the substrate W to be exposed is substantially covered in the liquid during exposure.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system that reduces lithography errors arising from an immersion liquid.SOLUTION: A lithographic apparatus includes: an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device capable of imparting a pattern to the radiation beam in its cross section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a final element of the projection system and the substrate with a liquid; a seal member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space between the final element of the projection system and the substrate; and elements to control and/or compensate for evaporation of the immersion liquid from the substrate.