Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080218711 | Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method - An immersion lithography apparatus is disclosed having a liquid supply system configured to at least partially fill a space between a final element of a projection system and a substrate table, with a first liquid, and a measurement system configured to measure a location of each of a plurality of points on the substrate, the measurement system being arranged such that measurements take place through a second liquid, the second liquid not being supplied by the liquid supply system. | 09-11-2008 |
20080252866 | Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method - A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a substrate supported by a substrate table; a liquid supply system configured to supply a space between the projection system and the substrate with a liquid; a closing surface configured to provide a confining surface for liquid supplied by the liquid supply system in place of the substrate; and a closing surface positioning device configured to create and maintain a gap between the liquid supply system and the closing surface so that the liquid flows in the gap when the closing surface is used to confine the liquid supplied by the liquid supply system. | 10-16-2008 |
20080259294 | Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method - In an immersion lithography apparatus in which immersion liquid is supplied to a localized space, the space is substantially polygonal in plan substantially parallel to the substrate. In an embodiment, two corners of the space have a radius of curvature no greater than the width of a transition zone between the space configured to contain liquid and a surrounding configured not to contain liquid. | 10-23-2008 |
20080271747 | Cleaning device and a lithographic apparatus cleaning method - A cleaning tool to clean a surface of a component of a lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a sonic transducer, a liquid supply device configured to provide liquid to a reservoir between the surface to be cleaned and the sonic transducer, and a liquid outlet configured to remove liquid provided by the liquid supply device, the cleaning tool constructed and arranged such that, in use, liquid flows into the outlet under the influence of gravity. | 11-06-2008 |
20080273181 | Cleaning device, a lithographic apparatus and a lithographic apparatus cleaning method - An immersion lithographic projection apparatus having a megasonic transducer configured to clean a surface and a method of using megasonic waves through a liquid to clean a surface of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus are disclosed. A flow, desirably a radial flow, is induced in the liquid. | 11-06-2008 |
20080284990 | Cleaning device, a lithographic apparatus and a lithographic cleaning method - An immersion lithographic projection apparatus having a megasonic transducer configured to clean a surface and a method of using megasonic waves through a liquid to clean a surface of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus are disclosed. A flow, desirably a radial flow, is induced in the liquid. | 11-20-2008 |
20080291407 | Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method - A lithographic apparatus is disclosed wherein a liquid supply system is configured to at least partly fill a region between a substrate and a projection system of the lithographic apparatus with a liquid and having a liquid confinement structure fixed in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system and configured to cooperate with a substrate table configured to hold the substrate in order to restrict the liquid to a region above an upper surface of the substrate table so that a side of the substrate to be exposed is substantially covered in the liquid during exposure. | 11-27-2008 |
20090014030 | Substrates and methods of using those substrates - A method of removing contamination from an apparatus used in lithography is disclosed. The method includes loading a substrate into the apparatus, the substrate comprising a rigid support layer and a deformable layer provided on the rigid support layer, bringing the deformable layer of the substrate into contact with a surface of the apparatus from which contamination is to be removed, introducing relative movement between the deformable layer and the surface of the apparatus from which contamination is to be removed to dislodge contamination from the surface for removal, and removing the dislodged contamination. Other aspects of the invention are also described and claimed. | 01-15-2009 |
20090015804 | Cleaning device and a lithographic apparatus cleaning method - A cleaning tool to clean a surface of a component of a lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a sonic transducer, a liquid supply device configured to provide liquid to a reservoir between the surface to be cleaned and the sonic transducer, and a liquid outlet configured to remove liquid provided by the liquid supply device, the cleaning tool constructed and arranged such that, in use, liquid flows into the outlet under the influence of gravity. | 01-15-2009 |
20090025753 | Lithographic Apparatus And Contamination Removal Or Prevention Method - A lithographic apparatus is disclosed having an in situ ozonizer, which is used to produce ozone gas, for example, by UV irradiation of an oxygen-containing gas. The thus produced ozone is dissolved in ultra-pure water by contacting the ozone with the ultra-pure water through a permeable membrane. | 01-29-2009 |
20090027635 | Lithographic Apparatus and Contamination Removal or Prevention Method - An immersion lithographic apparatus is cleaned by use of a cleaning liquid consisting essentially of ultra-pure water and (a) a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ozone, or (b) hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of up to 5%, or (c) ozone at a concentration of up to 50 ppm, or (d) oxygen at concentration of up to 10 ppm, or (e) any combination selected from (a)-(d). | 01-29-2009 |
20090027636 | Lithographic Apparatus, Reflective Member And A Method of Irradiating The Underside Of A Liquid Supply System - A lithographic apparatus that includes a reflector configured to reflect a cleaning beam of radiation projected through a projection system onto an underside of a liquid retrieval system is disclosed. The construction of the reflector is also disclosed as is a method for irradiating the underside of a liquid supply system for use in cleaning. | 01-29-2009 |
20090073408 | Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method - Lithographic Apparatus and Device Manufacturing Method A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which measures are taken to prevent or reduce the presence of bubbles in liquid through which the projection beam radiates. This may be done, for example, by ensuring that a gap between a substrate and a substrate table is filled with immersion liquid or by causing a localized flow radially outwardly from the optical axis in the vicinity of the edge of the substrate. | 03-19-2009 |
20090115983 | Immersion lithography apparatus - An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a detector to measure a distance between a substrate support structure and/or a substrate and a fluid handling system and/or to detect when an item is present between the fluid handling system and a top surface of the substrate and/or substrate support structure. The detector may use information of an electrical property of the fluid provided by the fluid handling system to measure the distance. The detector may measure variation in resistance and/or in capacitance between an electrode of the fluid handling system and an electrode of the substrate and/or substrate support structure. | 05-07-2009 |
20090115984 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a substrate supported by a substrate table; a liquid supply system configured to supply a space between the projection system and the substrate with a liquid; a closing surface configured to provide a confining surface for liquid supplied by the liquid supply system in place of the substrate; and a closing surface positioning device configured to create and maintain a gap between the liquid supply system and the closing surface so that the liquid flows in the gap when the closing surface is used to confine the liquid supplied by the liquid supply system. | 05-07-2009 |
20090134488 | Immersion Liquid, Exposure Apparatus, and Exposure Process - An immersion liquid is provided comprising an ion-forming component, e.g. an acid or a base, that has a relatively high vapor pressure. Also provided are lithography processes and lithography systems using the immersion liquid. | 05-28-2009 |
20090174870 | Cleaning apparatus and immersion lithographic apparatus - A cleaning apparatus to clean a substrate or component of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus may comprise a plasma radical source, a conduit and a radical confinement system. The plasma radical source may provide a flow of radicals. The conduit may supply radicals from the plasma radical source to the surface to be cleaned. The radical confinement system may direct the radicals to clean a localized portion of the surface. The cleaning apparatus may comprise a rotator and may be configured to clean a substrate edge. An immersion lithographic apparatus comprising the cleaning apparatus to clean a surface is also disclosed. The immersion lithographic apparatus may comprise a substrate table to support a substrate and a fluid confinement structure to at least partly confine immersion fluid between a projection system and a substrate table and/or substrate. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174871 | Lithographic apparatus and method of cleaning a surface of an immersion lithographic apparatus - A method of cleaning a lithography apparatus using an aerosol spray is described. The spray from the aerosol is contained in a space. | 07-09-2009 |
20090195761 | Lithographic apparatus and in-line cleaning apparatus - An immersion type lithographic apparatus includes an immersion system configured to at least partially fill an immersion space with an immersion liquid. The apparatus also includes an indicator configured to indicate whether a part of the immersion system should be cleaned and a cleaning liquid supply system configured to supply a cleaner to the part of the lithographic apparatus. The cleaner is at least one of a plurality of different cleaners. Each cleaner or combination of cleaners is configured to clean a different type and/or level of contamination in the part of the lithographic apparatus. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to control which of the plurality of cleaners is provided to the part of the lithographic apparatus, based on an indication received from the indicator. | 08-06-2009 |
20090207397 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is provided between a projection system of the apparatus and a substrate. The use of both liquidphobic and liquidphilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is provided to help prevent formation of bubbles in the liquid and to help reduce residue on the elements after being in contact with the liquid. | 08-20-2009 |
20090251674 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between a projection system of the lithographic projection apparatus and a substrate. A sensor positioned on a substrate table, which holds the substrate, is configured to be exposed to radiation when immersed in liquid (e.g., under the same conditions as the substrate will be exposed to radiation). By having a surface of an absorption element of the sensor, that is to be in contact with liquid, formed of no more than one metal type, long life of the sensor may be obtained. | 10-08-2009 |
20090284715 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE APPARATUS - A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed which includes a cleaning station. Several embodiments of the cleaning station are disclosed. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid contact of a cleaning fluid with the final element of the projection system. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid foaming of the cleaning fluid. The use of a thermally isolated island is also disclosed as well as its optimal position. | 11-19-2009 |
20090296052 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND METHODS - A system for cleaning a limited area of a top surface of a substrate table or an object positioned on a top surface of a substrate table is disclosed. The optical system used during normal imaging is adjusted to limit the cross-sectional area of a radiation beam to form a cleaning radiation beam which impinges on the limited area. | 12-03-2009 |
20100044593 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In an immersion lithographic apparatus, bubble formation in immersion liquid is reduced or prevented by reducing a gap size or area on a substrate table and/or covering the gap. | 02-25-2010 |
20100066987 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE APPARATUS - A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a projection system, and a liquid confinement structure configured to at least partly confine immersion liquid to an immersion space defined by the projection system, the liquid confinement structure and a substrate and/or substrate table. Measures are taken in the lithographic apparatus, for example, to reduce the effect of droplets on the final element of the projection system or to substantially avoid such droplet formation. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066988 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF GENERATING THE APPARATUS - A lithographic apparatus comprising a projection system, and a liquid confinement structure configured to at least partly confine immersion liquid to an immersion space defined by the projection system, the liquid confinement structure and a substrate and/or substrate table is disclosed wherein a humid gas space is defined between the projection system, the liquid confinement structure and immersion liquid in the immersion space, the humid gas space being configured to contain humid gas. | 03-18-2010 |
20100097587 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF REMOVING CONTAMINATION - A lithographic apparatus includes a fluid supply system configured to provide a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid includes from 25 to 98.99 wt % water; from 1 to 74.99 wt % solvent selected from one or more glycol ethers, esters, alcohols and ketones; and from 0.01 to 5 wt % surfactant. | 04-22-2010 |
20100165319 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a liquid removal system surrounds a liquid supply system which provides liquid to a space between a projection system and a substrate. The liquid removal system is moveable relative to the liquid supply system and is controlled to have substantially zero velocity relative to the moving substrate table. The gap between the liquid supply system and the liquid removal system may be covered and the atmosphere between the liquid supply system and the liquid removal system above the substrate table may be maintained such that the vapor pressure of liquid is relatively high. | 07-01-2010 |
20100177292 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In an immersion lithography apparatus in which immersion liquid is supplied to a localized space, the space is substantially polygonal in plan substantially parallel to the substrate. In an embodiment, two corners of the space have a radius of curvature no greater than the width of a transition zone between the space configured to contain liquid and a surrounding configured not to contain liquid. | 07-15-2010 |
20100265476 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced. | 10-21-2010 |
20100270709 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In an immersion lithography apparatus, the immersion liquid is supplied from a tank via a flow restrictor. The liquid held in the tank is maintained at a substantially constant height above the flow restrictor to ensure a constant flow of liquid. | 10-28-2010 |
20100328634 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE APPARATUS - A method of cleaning an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed in which a cleaner is added to immersion liquid for use during exposure of a substrate. The cleaner may be a combination of a soap and a solvent. The cleaner maybe present at a concentration of less than 300 ppb. | 12-30-2010 |
20110007287 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithographic apparatus comprising a surface which is curved such that a surface-tension drainage force acts in a direction on a film of immersion liquid on the surface. | 01-13-2011 |
20110058148 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithography apparatus is disclosed having a liquid supply system configured to at least partially fill a space between a final element of a projection system and a substrate table, with a first liquid, and a measurement system configured to measure a location of each of a plurality of points on the substrate, the measurement system being arranged such that measurements take place through a second liquid, the second liquid not being supplied by the liquid supply system. | 03-10-2011 |
20110080567 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE APPARATUS - A cleaning liquid supply system is disclosed. The cleaning liquid supply system may supply an emulsified cleaning liquid to clean an immersion lithographic apparatus. A lithographic apparatus is also disclosed. | 04-07-2011 |
20110090474 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In an immersion lithographic apparatus, bubble formation in immersion liquid is reduced or prevented by reducing a gap size or area on a substrate table and/or covering the gap. | 04-21-2011 |
20110109887 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed. In particular, a liquid supply system of the lithographic apparatus may be used to introduce a cleaning fluid into a space between the projection system and the substrate table of the lithographic apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, a cleaning device may be provided on the substrate table and an ultrasonic emitter may be provided to create an ultrasonic cleaning liquid. | 05-12-2011 |
20110116061 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A substrate table of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed which comprises a barrier configured to collect liquid. The barrier surrounds the substrate and is spaced apart from the substrate. In this way any liquid which is spilt from the liquid supply system can be collected to reduce the risk of contamination of delicate components of the lithographic projection apparatus. | 05-19-2011 |
20110122376 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a liquid supply system configured to provide liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate; and a shutter configured to isolate the space from the substrate or a space to be occupied by a substrate. | 05-26-2011 |
20110136064 | FLUID FILTRATION METHOD, FLUID FILTERED THEREBY, LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACUTRING METHOD - A method for filtering a fluid to obtain a fluid having a known purity is described. The fluid is filtered with a filtration system, and upstream of a final filtration stage of the filtration system, a purity of the fluid is measured. A purity of the fluid filtered by the filtration system is determined by correcting the measured purity with a filtration behavior of the final filtration stage. In an embodiment, the fluid comprises an ultra pure water for use as an immersion liquid in a lithographic apparatus. | 06-09-2011 |
20110183257 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In an immersion lithographic apparatus, bubble formation in immersion liquid is reduced or prevented by reducing a gap size or area on a substrate table and/or covering the gap. | 07-28-2011 |
20110188013 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND CONTAMINATION REMOVAL OR PREVENTION METHOD - An immersion lithographic apparatus is cleaned by use of a cleaning liquid consisting essentially of ultra-pure water and (a) a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ozone, or (b) hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of up to 5%, or (c) ozone at a concentration of up to 50 ppm, or (d) oxygen at concentration of up to 10 ppm, or (e) any combination selected from (a)-(d). | 08-04-2011 |
20110188015 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which measures are taken to prevent or reduce the presence of bubbles in liquid through which the projection beam radiates. This may be done, for example, by ensuring that a gap between a substrate and a substrate table is filled with immersion liquid or by causing a localized flow radially outwardly from the optical axis in the vicinity of the edge of the substrate. | 08-04-2011 |
20110222034 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS CLEANING METHOD - An immersion lithographic projection apparatus having a megasonic transducer configured to clean a surface and a method of using megasonic waves to clean a surface of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus are disclosed. | 09-15-2011 |
20110273677 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is provided between a projection system of the apparatus and a substrate. The use of both liquidphobic and liquidphilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is provided to help prevent formation of bubbles in the liquid and to help reduce residue on the elements after being in contact with the liquid. | 11-10-2011 |
20110292358 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - Various types of pressure regulating devices are disclosed to reduce a pressure gradient in a liquid supply system of a lithographic apparatus, the liquid supply system having 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 volume/damper to compensate for pressure fluctuation. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292359 | CLEANING DEVICE AND A LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS CLEANING METHOD - A cleaning tool to clean a surface of a component of a lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a sonic transducer, a liquid supply device configured to provide liquid to a reservoir between the surface to be cleaned and the sonic transducer, and a liquid outlet configured to remove liquid provided by the liquid supply device, the cleaning tool constructed and arranged such that, in use, liquid flows into the outlet under the influence of gravity. | 12-01-2011 |
20120008115 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A lithographic apparatus is disclosed wherein a liquid supply system is configured to at least partly fill a region between a substrate and a projection system of the lithographic apparatus with a liquid and having a liquid confinement structure fixed in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system and configured to cooperate with a substrate table configured to hold the substrate in order to restrict the liquid to a region above an upper surface of the substrate table so that a side of the substrate to be exposed is substantially covered in the liquid during exposure. | 01-12-2012 |
20120008119 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed. In particular, a liquid supply system of the lithographic apparatus may be used to introduce a cleaning fluid into a space between the projection system and the substrate table of the lithographic apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, a cleaning device may be provided on the substrate table and an ultrasonic emitter may be provided to create an ultrasonic cleaning liquid. | 01-12-2012 |
20120013867 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A substrate table of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed which comprises a barrier configured to collect liquid. The barrier surrounds the substrate and is spaced apart from the substrate. In this way any liquid which is spilt from the liquid supply system can be collected to reduce the risk of contamination of delicate components of the lithographic projection apparatus. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013870 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013874 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced. | 01-19-2012 |
20120281190 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND IN-LINE CLEANING APPARATUS - A lithographic system includes an immersion type lithographic apparatus, which includes a support constructed and arranged to support a substrate, a projection system constructed and arranged to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of the substrate, a liquid confinement structure configured to at least partially fill a space between the projection system and at least one of the substrate and support with an immersion liquid, a liquid supply system arranged to provide the immersion liquid to the liquid confinement structure, and a cleaning liquid supply system arranged to provide a cleaning liquid to a surface of the lithographic apparatus that comes into contact with the immersion liquid. The system includes a switch to provide the cleaning liquid directly to the liquid confinement structure and to provide the immersion liquid indirectly to the liquid confinement structure via a liquid purification system. | 11-08-2012 |
20130070219 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithographic apparatus is provided with a liquid confinement structure which defines at least in part a space configured to contain liquid between the projection system and the substrate. In order to reduce the crossing of the edge of the substrate which is being imaged (which can lead to inclusion of bubbles in the immersion liquid), the cross-sectional area of the space in a plane parallel to the substrate is made as small as possible. The smallest theoretical size is the size of the target portion which is imaged by the projection system. In an embodiment, the shape of a final element of the projection system is also changed to have a similar size and/or shape in a cross-section parallel to the substrate to that of the target portion. | 03-21-2013 |
20130235358 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a liquid supply system configured to provide liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate; and a shutter configured to isolate the space from the substrate or a space to be occupied by a substrate. | 09-12-2013 |
20140098357 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is provided between a projection system of the apparatus and a substrate. The use of both liquidphobic and liquidphilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is provided to help prevent formation of bubbles in the liquid and to help reduce residue on the elements after being in contact with the liquid. | 04-10-2014 |
20140233004 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is provided between a projection system of the apparatus and a substrate. The use of both liquidphobic and liquidphilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is provided to help prevent formation of bubbles in the liquid and to help reduce residue on the elements after being in contact with the liquid. | 08-21-2014 |
20140253890 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A substrate table of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed which comprises a barrier configured to collect liquid. The barrier surrounds the substrate and is spaced apart from the substrate. In this way any liquid which is spilt from the liquid supply system can be collected to reduce the risk of contamination of delicate components of the lithographic projection apparatus. | 09-11-2014 |
20140313494 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between a projection system of the lithographic projection apparatus and a substrate. A sensor positioned on a substrate table, which holds the substrate, is configured to be exposed to radiation when immersed in liquid (e.g., under the same conditions as the substrate will be exposed to radiation). By having a surface of an absorption element of the sensor, that is to be in contact with liquid, formed of no more than one metal type, long life of the sensor may be obtained. | 10-23-2014 |
20140335457 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In an immersion lithography apparatus in which immersion liquid is supplied to a localized space, the space is substantially polygonal in plan substantially parallel to the substrate. In an embodiment, two corners of the space have a radius of curvature no greater than the width of a transition zone between the space configured to contain liquid and a surrounding configured not to contain liquid. | 11-13-2014 |
20140375973 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An immersion lithographic apparatus is provided with a liquid confinement structure which defines at least in part a space configured to contain liquid between the projection system and the substrate. In order to reduce the crossing of the edge of the substrate which is being imaged (which can lead to inclusion of bubbles in the immersion liquid), the cross-sectional area of the space in a plane parallel to the substrate is made as small as possible. The smallest theoretical size is the size of the target portion which is imaged by the projection system. In an embodiment, the shape of a final element of the projection system is also changed to have a similar size and/or shape in a cross-section parallel to the substrate to that of the target portion. | 12-25-2014 |
20150055102 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE APPARATUS - A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed which includes a cleaning station. Several embodiments of the cleaning station are disclosed. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid contact of a cleaning fluid with the final element of the projection system. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid foaming of the cleaning fluid. The use of a thermally isolated island is also disclosed as well as its optimal position. | 02-26-2015 |
20150056559 | IMMERSION LIQUID, EXPOSURE APPARATUS, AND EXPOSURE PROCESS - An immersion liquid is provided comprising an ion-forming component, e.g. an acid or a base, which has a relatively high vapor pressure. Also provided are lithography processes and lithography systems using the immersion liquid. | 02-26-2015 |