Abstract:
An immersion lithography system and method exposes a substrate through a liquid. The substrate is exposed through the liquid, which is provided between a final optical element of a projection lens and the substrate. The liquid is recovered from an upper surface of the substrate via a recovery opening of an immersion apparatus under which the substrate is positioned, the immersion apparatus being disposed around the final optical element of the projection lens. The a pressure for recovering the liquid from the upper surface of the substrate via the recovery opening is controlled by a pressure control system, the pressure control system having a first tank connected to the recovery opening via a recovery flow line and a vacuum regulator to control a pressure in the first tank.
Abstract:
An immersion liquid confinement apparatus confines an immersion liquid in an immersion area that includes a gap between a projection system and an object of exposure in an immersion lithography system. The apparatus also recovers the immersion liquid from the immersion area. The apparatus includes an aperture through which a patterned image is projected, an outlet, a first chamber into which the immersion liquid is recovered through the outlet, and a second chamber into which the immersion liquid is recovered through a porous member from the first chamber. The porous member has a first surface contacting the first chamber and a second surface contacting the second chamber. A vertical position of a first portion of the first surface is different from a vertical position of a second portion of the first surface.
Abstract:
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a stage assembly having a substrate table on which a substrate is supported and exposed with an exposure beam from a final optical element of a projection optical assembly through an immersion liquid. A confinement member encircles a portion of a path of the exposure beam and has an aperture through which the exposure beam is projected. A movable member is movable in a space between the confinement member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both, such that a first portion of the space is located between a first surface of the movable member and the confinement member, and a second portion of the space is located between a second surface of the movable member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both.
Abstract:
A liquid immersion lithography apparatus includes a projection system having a final optical element and a nozzle member having a first opening disposed on a first side of the final optical element and from which an immersion liquid is supplied, a second opening disposed on a second side of the final optical element and from which the immersion liquid is recovered, and a liquid recovery portion disposed to surround a path of an exposure beam and from which the immersion liquid is recovered. A tank is fluidicly connected to the liquid recovery portion of the nozzle member. During exposure of a substrate to the exposure beam, an upper surface of the substrate faces the liquid recovery portion, and the immersion liquid is supplied from the first opening while performing liquid recovery from the second opening and the liquid recovery portion.
Abstract:
An immersion lithography apparatus that includes a substrate holder on which a substrate is held, a projection system having a final optical element and that projects an exposure beam onto the substrate through an immersion liquid, and a liquid confinement member having an aperture through which the exposure beam is projected, a lower surface including a non-fluid removal area surrounding the aperture, and a liquid recovery outlet from which the immersion liquid is recovered, also includes a movable member. The movable member is movable relative to the liquid confinement member in a substantially horizontal direction, and has an opening through which the exposure beam is projected. The movable member has upper and lower surfaces that surround the opening, and is movable while a portion of the upper surface faces the non-fluid removal area in the lower surface of the liquid confinement member.
Abstract:
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a projection optical assembly having a final optical element, a stage assembly including a substrate table on which a substrate is supported, the substrate supported by the substrate table being exposed with an exposure beam from the final optical element of the projection optical assembly through an immersion liquid, a confinement member which encircles a portion of a path of the exposure beam, and a movable member which is movable in a space between the confinement member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both, the space being divided by the movable member into a first portion between the confinement member and the movable member and a second portion between the movable member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both. The movable member has a recovery outlet from which the immersion liquid in the second portion is removed.
Abstract:
A liquid immersion lithography apparatus includes a projection system having a final optical element and a nozzle member having a first opening disposed on a first side of the final optical element and from which an immersion liquid is supplied, a second opening disposed on a second side of the final optical element and from which the immersion liquid is recovered, and a liquid recovery portion disposed to surround a path of an exposure beam and from which the immersion liquid is recovered. A tank is fluidicly connected to the liquid recovery portion of the nozzle member. During exposure of a substrate to the exposure beam, an upper surface of the substrate faces the liquid recovery portion, and the immersion liquid is supplied from the first opening while performing liquid recovery from the second opening and the liquid recovery portion.
Abstract:
A liquid immersion lithography apparatus includes a projection system having a final optical element via which a substrate is exposed to an exposure beam through an immersion liquid located between the final optical element and the substrate, and a nozzle member. The nozzle member has a first opening on one side of the final optical element and from which the immersion liquid is supplied, a second opening on a second side of the final optical element and from which the immersion liquid is collected, and a liquid recovery portion that surrounds a path of the exposure beam and from which the immersion liquid is collected. During exposure, an upper surface of the substrate faces the liquid recovery portion, and the immersion liquid is supplied from the first opening while the immersion liquid supplied from the first opening is recovered from the second opening and the liquid recovery portion.