Exposure method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A scanning exposure apparatus in which a mask and a substrate are moved in respective scanning direction to expose the substrate during scanning exposure, comprising:
- a projection system;
a detector which has a beam irradiation system and a beam receiving system to detect information on positional relationship between an image plane of the projection system and an exposure surface of the substrate at a plurality of measuring points during the scanning exposure, the plurality of measuring points being arranged within a projection area of the projection system; and
a controller, functionally associated with the detector, which adjusts relative inclination between the image plane and the exposure surface in a non-scanning direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the substrate on the basis of the detected information during the scanning exposure.
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Abstract
An apparatus for exposing a pattern, formed on a mask, on each of a plurality of partitioned areas on a photosensitive substrate by a step-and-repeat scheme includes a projection optical system for projecting the pattern of the mask on the photosensitive substrate, a substrate stage for holding the photosensitive substrate and two-dimensionally moving the photosensitive substrate within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system, a detection unit for projecting a pattern image having a predetermined shape on the photosensitive substrate and photoelectrically detecting light reflected by the photosensitive substrate to detect a position at each of a plurality of points on the photosensitive substrate along the optical axis of the projection optical system, and a measurement unit for, when each of a plurality of measurement points in a partitioned area on which a pattern of the mask is to be exposed next coincides with or approaches the pattern image, detecting an offset amount between an imaging plane of the projection optical system and the next partitioned area along the optical axis during a stepping operation of the substrate stage, wherein the imaging plane and the next partitioned area are relatively moved along the optical axis in accordance with the measured offset amount before the pattern of the mask is exposed on the next partitioned area.
194 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A scanning exposure apparatus in which a mask and a substrate are moved in respective scanning direction to expose the substrate during scanning exposure, comprising:
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a projection system;
a detector which has a beam irradiation system and a beam receiving system to detect information on positional relationship between an image plane of the projection system and an exposure surface of the substrate at a plurality of measuring points during the scanning exposure, the plurality of measuring points being arranged within a projection area of the projection system; and
a controller, functionally associated with the detector, which adjusts relative inclination between the image plane and the exposure surface in a non-scanning direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the substrate on the basis of the detected information during the scanning exposure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10)
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7. A scanning exposure method in which a mask and a substrate are moved to expose a shot area on the substrate during scanning exposure, comprising:
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changing, during the scanning exposure, measuring points to detect information on positional relationship between an image plane of a projection system and an exposure surface of the substrate; and
relatively moving the image plane and the exposure surface on the basis of the detected information during the scanning exposure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 11, 12)
irradiating an irradiation area with an exposure beam; and
inclining, during the scanning exposure, the substrate about a predetermined point as a rotational center within the irradiation area based on the detected information in order to relatively move the image plane and the exposure surface.
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13. A scanning exposure method in which a mask and a substrate are moved in respective scanning directions to expose a shot area on the substrate during scanning exposure, comprising:
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selecting a part of a plurality of measuring points to detect information on positional relationship between an image plane of a projection system and an exposure surface of the substrate, the plurality of measuring points being arranged along a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the substrate; and
relatively moving, during the scanning exposure, the image plane and the exposure surface on the basis of the information detected at the selected measuring points. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
irradiating an irradiation area with an exposure beam; and
inclining, during the scanning exposure, the substrate about a predetermined point as a rotational center within the irradiation area based on the detected information in order to relatively move the image plane and the exposure surface.
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18. A scanning exposure method comprising:
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sequentially exposing shot areas on a substrate, each of the shot areas being exposed by moving a mask and the substrate synchronously; and
starting to detect information on positional relationship between an image plane of a projection system and an exposure surface of the substrate after completion of an exposure for one shot area, prior to the beginning of an exposure for next shot area. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification