Lithographic apparatus with patterning device position determination
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
- a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern;
a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate; and
an assembly configured to determine a spatial position of said patterning device relative to said projection system, said assembly comprising a measuring unit having a plurality of sensors mounted on the projection system,wherein the measuring unit is configured to direct a beam of radiation onto a part of the patterning device outside and adjacent a pattern area of the patterning device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a radiation system for supplying a beam of radiation, and a support structure for supporting a patterning device. The patterning device serves to pattern the beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a projection system for projecting the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate, and an assembly for determining a spatial position of the patterning device relative to the projection system. The assembly includes a measuring unit that has a plurality of sensors that are mounted on the projection system.
12 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
-
a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate; and an assembly configured to determine a spatial position of said patterning device relative to said projection system, said assembly comprising a measuring unit having a plurality of sensors mounted on the projection system, wherein the measuring unit is configured to direct a beam of radiation onto a part of the patterning device outside and adjacent a pattern area of the patterning device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
-
a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate; and a measuring unit configured to direct a beam of radiation onto a part of the patterning device outside and adjacent a pattern area of the patterning device when held by the support structure and to determine, using the beam, a position of the patterning device in a first direction, the first direction being substantially perpendicular to the plane of a pattern area of the patterning device when held by the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
-
a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate; and a measuring unit on the projection system, the measuring unit configured to direct a beam of radiation onto a part of the patterning device outside and adjacent a pattern area of the patterning device. - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
-
18. A lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
-
a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate; and a measuring unit configured to measure a position of the patterning device when held by the support structure at least once before an exposure using the patterning device, determine the position of the patterning device relative to the support structure using the measurement of the position of the patterning device, and determine, during exposure using the patterning device, a position of the patterning device relative to the projection system from a measurement of the position of the support structure, wherein the measuring unit is configured to direct a beam of radiation onto a part of the patterning device outside and adjacent a pattern area of the patterning device, the pattern area and the part being on the same side of the patterning device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
-
21. A lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
-
a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate; and a measuring unit configured to measure a position of the patterning device when held by the support structure, determine the position of the patterning device relative to the support structure using the measurement of the position of the patterning device, measure a position of the support structure, and determine, during operation of the lithographic apparatus, a position of the patterning device relative to the projection system, wherein the measuring unit is configured to direct a beam of radiation onto a part of the patterning device outside and adjacent a pattern area of the patterning device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
-
Specification