Abstract:
Methods of manufacturing a membrane assembly are disclosed. In one arrangement, a stack comprises a planar substrate and at least one membrane layer. The planar substrate comprises an inner region, a border region around the inner region, a bridge region around the border region and an edge region around the bridge region. The inner region and a first portion of the bridge region are selectively removed. The membrane assembly after removal comprises: a membrane formed from the at least one membrane layer, a border holding the membrane, the border formed from the border region of the planar substrate, an edge section around the border, the edge section formed from the edge region of the planar substrate, a bridge between the border and the edge section, the bridge formed from the at least one membrane layer and a second portion of the bridge region of the planar substrate. The method further comprises separating the edge section from the border by cutting or breaking the bridge.
Abstract:
Membranes for EUV lithography are disclosed. In one arrangement, a membrane comprises a stack having layers in the following order: a first capping layer comprising an oxide of a first metal; a base layer comprising a compound comprising a second metal and an additional element selected from the group consisting of Si, B, C and N; and a second capping layer comprising an oxide of a third metal, wherein the first metal is different from the second metal and the third metal is the same as or different from the first metal.
Abstract:
A cleaning device (10) for a lithography apparatus, the cleaning device comprising: a radiation source (2) configured to supply decontamination radiation (8) capable of removing water or other contaminant from the surface of an optical component (IL; PS) or other component of the lithography system; wherein the cleaning device is configured to be clamped by a clamp (7) that clamps a patterning device during exposure processes performed by the lithography apparatus.
Abstract:
An optical membrane (16) for use in or with a lithographic apparatus, the membrane comprising a first layer (18) comprising a first material, and a second layer (20) comprising a second material, the first layer being arranged on the second layer, wherein the first and second materials are selected such that a space charge region (22) or depletion region is formed in the membrane, the space charge region or depletion region inducing an electric field (E) in the membrane.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a pellicle assembly comprising a pellicle frame defining a surface onto which a pellicle is attached. The pellicle assembly comprises one or more three-dimensional expansion structures that allow the pellicle to expand under stress. The invention also relates to a pellicle assembly for a patterning device comprising one or more actuators for moving the pellicle assembly towards and way from the patterning device.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a pellicle assembly comprising a pellicle frame defining a surface onto which a pellicle is attached. The pellicle assembly comprises one or more three-dimensional expansion structures that allow the pellicle to expand under stress. The invention also relates to a pellicle assembly for a patterning device comprising one or more actuators for moving the pellicle assembly towards and way from the patterning device.