Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate handler, a lithographic apparatus, and a device manufacturing method. SOLUTION: The substrate handler for handling a substrate comprises a conditioning device for conditioning the substrate. The substrate handler is provided with a displacing device configured so as to displace the substrate in the direction substantially parallel to a support surface. The displacing device is configured so as to displace the substrate during the conditioning process from one conditioning position to one or more other conditioning positions. The substrate handler comprises a float device configured to provide an air bed above a support surface of the substrate handler. The substrate handler is configured so as to hold the substrate on an air bed during the conditioning of the substrate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus in which the sensitivity of an influence of a collision on a horizontal plane is reduced. SOLUTION: A lithography projecting apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having a first exhaust means for generating a vacuum beam path for a projecting beam. The projecting apparatus includes a collision protecting device for reducing the influence of the collision of an article table with the wall of the chamber or other article table. These collisions have probabilities of bringing about a software error in a software of the apparatus during a power source failure. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method utilizing substrate stage compensation. SOLUTION: The lithographic apparatus has an illumination system that conditions a radiation beam, and a patterning device support that supports a patterning device. The patterning device patterns the radiation beam. The lithographic apparatus also has a substrate support that supports a substrate, a machine frame that supports the substrate support, a projection system that projects the patterned beam onto the target of the substrate, and a substrate support drive that moves the substrate support in at least one direction. The lithographic apparatus can have a reaction mass, a balance mass, and a base frame. The substrate support drive is configured to generate a force at least in one direction between the substrate support and the reaction mass, the balance mass, or the support frame. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved positioning device, wherein the effects of internal dynamics are mitigated, in relation to a method of manufacturing, for example, flat panel displays, integrated circuits, and other devices requiring fine structures utilizing a positioning device for positioning the object table of a lithographic apparatus. SOLUTION: A positioning device for positioning an object table 30 comprises a frame for supporting the object table 30 in a first direction, motor units 35, 36 constructed and arranged for exerting a first force on the object table 30 in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and a second force on the object table 30 in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The motor units 35, 36 comprise first parts 38, 39 constructed and arranged to co-operate with second parts 40, 41 for generating the first and second force, the first parts 38, 39 being arranged on the object table 30, such that both the first force and the second force are directed substantially through the center of gravity of the object table 30. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lithograph projecting apparatus which avoids or reduces a problem occurring by a complicated mobile type linear seal of a large size with high inertia. SOLUTION: The linear seal 100 seals an overall slot 112 formed on the wall 110 of a vacuum chamber VC of the lithograph projecting apparatus. The seal 100 includes a slender seal member 120 which locally displaces from the slot 112 at a selective position 125. Thus, a duct 140 can enter into the inside of the chamber VC from the outside of the chamber VC where the slender seal member 120 is locally displaced. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate handler capable of functioning more efficiently. SOLUTION: The substrate handler 12 is adapted to load a substrate 8 onto a substrate table 6 before exposure and to unload the substrate 8 from the substrate table 6 after exposure. The substrate handler 12 includes at least one support surface adapted to simultaneously convey a plurality of independent substrates 8, 8, or platforms 14, 16. The substrate handler 12 moves the substrate 8 with respect to the substrate table 6 of a lithographic apparatus. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate handler capable of functioning more efficiently. SOLUTION: The substrate handler 12 is adapted to load a substrate 8 onto a substrate table 6 before exposure and to unload the substrate 8 from the substrate table 6 after exposure. The substrate handler 12 includes at least one support surface adapted to simultaneously convey a plurality of independent substrates 8, 8, or platforms 14, 16. The substrate handler 12 moves the substrate 8 with respect to the substrate table 6 of a lithographic apparatus. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carrier which supports a lithographic substrate separately from a lithography patterning device. SOLUTION: A carrier (10) is equipped with a first member (11). An open hollow structure that is open toward at least one side of the first member (11) is provided. The carrier (10) also has a second member (12) connected to the first member (11). Thus, a closed, hollow inside structure is formed between the first and second members (11 and 12). COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost supporting means with a simple structure that is a lithographic projection apparatus and can be used in a vacuum in order to support a balance mass for eliminating vibrations due to a reaction force when moving a substrate table. SOLUTION: The balance mass of a lithographic projection apparatus is supported on a base frame by at least one flexible supporting element that is mechanically attached to this balance mass and the base frame and has at least two pivot points. Since this supporting element has two or more pivot points, this supporting means hardly shows resistance to the horizontal movements of the balance mass BM, so as to allow the balance mass BM to move freely in a horizontal direction. An air bearing is not used, so it can be used even in a vacuum. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alternative method for freely supported balance mass in a lithographic apparatus for projection and light exposure. SOLUTION: The lithography projecting apparatus includes an actuator 20 for generating repulsive force between balance mass BM and a substrate table WT or a support structure to position the substrate table WT. The balance mass BM is coupled with a base frame BF via an elastic coupling, to provide a suspension natural frequency of 0.3 to 10 Hz. Hereby, a part of the repulsive force will be applied to the base frame BF. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO