Abstract:
A measurement apparatus that measures position information of a measurement target is provided. The apparatus includes a scope configured to generate an image by capturing an image of the measurement target, and a processor configured to obtain position information of the measurement target based on the image. The processor is configured to generate a plurality of image components using a statistical technique from a plurality of images generated by the scope, output the plurality of generated image components, perform processing based on the plurality of image components, and determine the position information based on a result of the processing.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for determining an alignment of a photomask on a sample stage which is displaceable along at least one axis that is parallel to a chuck surface of the sample stage, and is rotatable about at least one axis that is perpendicular to the chuck surface, which method comprises the following step: rotating the sample stage by a predefined angle and measuring a height change of the photomask during rotation at a predetermined, non-vanishing distance with respect to the rotation axis for the purpose of determining the alignment of the photomask on the sample stage.
Abstract:
An imprint apparatus performs alignment control of a mold and a substrate. A pattern formed on the mold is transferred onto a pattern forming layer on the substrate. A mold holding portion holds the mold, a substrate holding portion holds the substrate, and a control portion effects control so that the mold and the substrate are brought near to each other during the alignment control. The mold and the pattern forming layer are brought into contact with each other and then the pattern forming layer is cured. The control portion changes a driving profile for the alignment control after the alignment control is started and at least one of before and after the mold contacts the pattern forming layer. The driving profile used to move at least one of the mold holding portion and the substrate holding portion to a target position, and includes at least one of acceleration, speed, driving voltage, and driving current.
Abstract:
An imprinting method in which alignment control of a mold and a substrate is effected and a pattern formed on the mold is transferred onto a pattern forming layer provided on the substrate. The imprinting method includes a step in which the mold and the substrate are brought near to each other while effecting the alignment control, after the alignment control is started, to bring the mold and the pattern forming layer into contact with each other, and then, the pattern forming layer is cured, and a step in which the gap between the mold and the substrate is increased, after the pattern forming layer is cured. Further, the alignment control is stopped after the alignment control is started, and at least one of before and after the mold contacts the pattern forming layer.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for the simultaneous determination of focus and source boresighting error for photolithographic steppers and scanners is described. A reticle containing custom arrays of box-in-box test structures specifically designed for performing source or exit pupil division using an aperture plate is exposed onto a resist coated wafer several times. The resulting exposure patterns are measured with a conventional overlay tool. The overlay data is processed with a slope-shift algorithm for the simultaneous determination of both focus and source telecentricity as a function of field position. Additionally, methods for ameliorating metrology induced effects and methods for producing precision Bossung curves are also described. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules, it shall not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
Abstract:
An imprint method for imprinting an imprint pattern provided to a mold onto a pattern forming layer formed on a substrate is constituted by a first step of effecting alignment between the substrate and the mold with feedback control; a second step of bringing the mold and the pattern forming layer into contact with each other; a third step of curing the pattern forming layer; and a fourth step of increasing a gap between the substrate and the mold. The imprint method further includes a step of stopping the feedback control between the first step and the second step and/or between the second step and the third step.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an immersion lithography proximity sensor having a nozzle shroud with a flow curtain. The immersion lithography proximity sensor includes a shroud that affixes to the nozzle. A plenum is located inside the shroud that holds a shroud liquid, which is fed into the plenum through one or more intake holes. The shroud liquid is emitted out through a series of openings, such as holes or slots, along a bottom surface of the shroud in a direction away from the nozzle. The shroud liquid that is emitted forms a curtain around the nozzle to prevent cross currents from impacting the flow of liquid out of the nozzle.
Abstract:
An exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system for projecting a pattern formed a mask onto an object to be exposed, a correction optical element, provided between the mask and the projection optical system, for reducing a deformation of the pattern, and a detector of an oblique light projection system, provided at a side of a pattern surface of the mask, for detecting a surface shape of the mask through the correction optical element.
Abstract:
While a pattern side register mark provided on a pattern transferring plate provided with a transfer pattern and a work side register mark provided on a work are optically observed by means of an observation optical system, at least one of the pattern transferring plate and a work surface plate carrying thereon the work is moved in a non-contact state in accordance with information provided by the observation optical system to effect registration between the transfer pattern and the work, so that the pattern transferring plate is pressed to the work thereby to transfer the transfer pattern onto the work.
Abstract:
An alignment apparatus includes a first off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification, and a second off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification higher than that of the first off-axis alignment optical system, wherein the apparatus is operable in a global alignment mode using the second off-axis alignment optical system. In another aspect, an alignment apparatus includes a first off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification, a second off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification higher than that of the first off-axis alignment optical system, and a TTL alignment optical system, wherein the alignment apparatus is operable in a global alignment mode using the second off-axis alignment optical system and is operable in another global alignment mode using the TTL optical alignment system.