Mask handling method, and mask and device or apparatus comprising a gripper therefor, device manufacturing method and device manufactured thereby
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mask for use in a lithographic projection apparatus comprises three brackets arranged on the circumference of the mask. The brackets are provided with grooves directed to a common imaginary point and are intend to cooperate with three pins provided on a mask gripper present in a mask handling apparatus or device. Preferably, the pins are provided with a rounded top for insertion in associated grooves of the brackets to provide a kinematically-determined mechanical position of the mask on the gripper.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1-25. -25. (canceled)
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26. A storage container configured to hold a mask suitable to pattern a projection beam of radiation in a lithographic projection apparatus, the container comprising:
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a frame constructed to removably support the mask on the front or back major surface of the mask, the frame comprising a plurality of first connecting structures, each first connecting structure configured to cooperate with a respective second connecting structure of a plurality of second connecting structures;
a base comprising the plurality of second connecting structures configured to removably support the frame, a surface of the frame displaced from a substantially parallel surface of the base when the frame is supported on the base; and
a cover configured to extend around and over the frame such that the mask, when supported by the frame, is completely surrounded by and sealed within the base and the cover, wherein the cover, base and frame are configured to be displaced together by a container handling mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A mask holder configured to hold a mask suitable to pattern a projection beam of radiation in a lithographic projection apparatus, the mask holder comprising:
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a frame constructed to removably support the mask on the front or back major surface of the mask, the frame comprising a plurality of first connecting structures, each first connecting structure configured to cooperate with a respective second connecting structure of a plurality of second connecting structures;
a base comprising the plurality of second connecting structures configured to removably support the frame, a surface of the frame displaced from a substantially parallel surface of the base when the frame is supported on the base, wherein the base and frame are configured to be displaced together by a mask holder handling mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A mask holder configured to hold a mask suitable to pattern a projection beam of radiation in a lithographic projection apparatus, the mask holder comprising:
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a frame extending in a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the frame comprising a surface in the plane to support the mask on the front or back major surface of the mask and a surface extending in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions to constrain the mask from moving in the plane;
a base comprising at least three protrusions configured to removably support the frame, a surface of the frame displaced from a substantially parallel surface of the base when the frame is supported on the base, wherein the base and frame are configured to be displaced together by a mask holder handling mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A mask handling method, comprising:
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supplying a mask to a frame so that the mask is removably supported on the frame by the front or back major surface of the mask;
moving a base supporting the frame to a substrate processing apparatus, the base comprising a plurality of structures configured to removably support the frame, a surface of the frame displaced from a substantially parallel surface of the base;
displacing the frame with the mask from the base; and
displacing the mask to a substrate table of a lithographic projection apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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Specification