Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a fluid handling system for a lithographic apparatus, wherein the fluid handling system is configured to confine immersion liquid to a liquid confinement space between a part of a projection system and a surface of a substrate in the lithographic apparatus whereby a radiation beam projected from the projection system can irradiate the surface of the substrate by passing through the immersion liquid, the fluid handling system comprising: a replaceable plate with an outer surface that comprises a plurality of fluid openings configured for supply and/or extraction of immersion liquid and/or gas in a channel between the fluid handling system and the substrate; wherein the outer surface is coated.
Abstract:
An immersion lithography apparatus comprising: a support table (WT) configured to support an object (W) having at least one target portion (C); a projection system (PS) configured to project a patterned beam onto the object; a positioner (PW) configured to move the support table relative to the projection system; a liquid confinement structure (12) configured to confine a liquid to an immersion space (10) between the projection system and a surface of the object and/or the support table using a fluid flow into and/or out of the liquid confinement structure through a series of openings (60, 300) formed in the liquid confinement structure; and a controller configured to control the positioner to move the support table to follow a route comprised of a series of motions and to control the liquid confinement structure wherein each motion involves the support table moving relative to the liquid confinement structure such that a portion of the support table which moves from being not under the liquid confinement structure to being under the liquid confinement structure passes under a leading edge of the liquid confinement structure and a portion of the support table which moves from being under the liquid confinement structure to being not under the liquid confinement structure passes under a trailing edge of the liquid confinement structure, the controller adapted to: predict whether the liquid will be lost from the immersion space during at least one motion of the series of motions in which an edge of the immersion space passes over an edge of the object, and if liquid loss from the immersion space is predicted, to modify the fluid flow such that a first fluid flow rate into or out of an opening of the series of openings at the leading edge of the liquid confinement structure is different to a second fluid flow rate into or out of an opening of the series of openings at the trailing edge of the liquid confinement structure during the motion of predicted liquid loss or a motion of the series of motions subsequent to the motion of predicted liquid loss.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a lithographic apparatus comprising a barrier system (3) and device manufacturing method using any of the lithographic apparatus as described. The barrier system is used to maintain a protected volume of gas within a barrier (4). The protected volume may be maintained when different components of the lithographic apparatus move relative to each other. The barrier system may be used in different locations within the lithographic apparatus. The geometry of the barrier affects how efficiently the protected volume is maintained, especially at high speeds. The geometry of the present invention reduces the amount of ambient gas entering the protected volume from outside the barrier.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed for reducing overlay errors by controlling gas flow around a patterning device of a lithographic apparatus. The lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam. The lithographic apparatus further includes a movable stage comprising a support structure that may be configured to support a patterning device. The patterning device may be configured to impart the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. In addition, the lithographic apparatus comprises a plate (410) positioned between the movable stage (401) and the projection system (208). The plate includes an opening (411) that comprises a first sidewall (411a) and a second sidewall (411b). The plate may be configured to provide a gas flow pattern (424) in a region between the movable stage and the projection system that is substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the illumination system.
Abstract:
A pressure control valve comprising: a passageway (210) having a portion defining an opening (220) for the flow of liquid and/or gas (215) therethrough; an obstructing member (230) displaceable relative to the opening for obstructing the opening by differing amounts thereby to regulate a volumetric flow rate of liquid and/or gas through the opening; a piezo actuator (250); and a linkage mechanism (400) adapted to amplify a magnitude of a dimensional change in the piezo actuator and to use the amplified dimensional change to displace the obstructing member relative to the opening, wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a frame (500) attached to a wall and fixed at a first end (510) in relation to the passageway, a movable portion (508) of the frame moveable in a first direction whilst being substantially restrained in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the piezo actuator extending between the wall and the moveable portion such that an expansion of the piezo actuator results in movement of the moveable portion in the first direction by an amount greater than the expansion of the piezo actuator, the moveable portion connected to the obstructing member.
Abstract:
A fluid handling structure (12) configured to confine immersion fluid to a region of a lithographic apparatus, the fluid handling structure comprising: an aperture (15) formed therein for the passage there through of a projection beam through the immersion fluid; a first part (100); and a second part (200); and wherein at least one of the first part and the second part define a surface (20) adapted for the extraction of the immersion fluid from the region; and wherein the fluid handling structure is adapted to provide a fluid flow into or out of the surface of the fluid handling structure and wherein movement of the first part relative to the second part is effective to change a position of the fluid flow into or out of the surface relative to the aperture, and wherein one of the first part and second part comprises at least one through-hole (51, 61) for the fluid flow there through and the other of the first part and second part comprises at least one opening (55, 65) for the fluid flow there through, the at least one through-hole and at least one opening being in fluid communication when aligned, the movement allowing alignment of the at least one opening with different ones of the at least one through-hole thereby to change the position of the fluid flow into or out of the surface relative to the aperture.