Interferometric lithographic projection apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lithographic projection apparatus, comprising:
- an illumination system configured to condition a beam of radiation;
an interchangeable upper optics module configured to receive the beam and comprising a beam splitter configured to split the beam into multiple beam portions that are not afterward substantially diffracted; and
a lower optics module configured to receive the beam portions and direct the beam portions onto a same location on a substrate so as to create an interference pattern on a radiation-sensitive surface of the substrate, the interference pattern comprising a periodic series of intensity minima and maxima arising from interference between the beam portions,wherein the interchangeable upper optics module comprises a reflecting surface configured to direct the beam portions toward the same location and the interchangeable upper optics module is interchangeable for a different interchangeable upper optics module so as to change the interference pattern.
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Abstract
A lithographic projection apparatus includes an illumination system, an interchangeable upper optics module, and a lower optics module. The illumination system provides a beam of radiation. The interchangeable upper optics module receives the beam and includes, sequentially, a beam splitter that splits the beam into portions, an aperture plate, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces. The lower optics module receives portions of the beam from respective ones the reflecting surfaces and directs the portions of the beam onto a substrate. Interference fringes or contact hole patterns are formed on the substrate using the portions of the beam.
50 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A lithographic projection apparatus, comprising:
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an illumination system configured to condition a beam of radiation; an interchangeable upper optics module configured to receive the beam and comprising a beam splitter configured to split the beam into multiple beam portions that are not afterward substantially diffracted; and a lower optics module configured to receive the beam portions and direct the beam portions onto a same location on a substrate so as to create an interference pattern on a radiation-sensitive surface of the substrate, the interference pattern comprising a periodic series of intensity minima and maxima arising from interference between the beam portions, wherein the interchangeable upper optics module comprises a reflecting surface configured to direct the beam portions toward the same location and the interchangeable upper optics module is interchangeable for a different interchangeable upper optics module so as to change the interference pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A lithographic projection apparatus, comprising:
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an illumination system configured to condition a beam of radiation; an interchangeable upper optics module configured to receive the beam and comprising a beam splitter configured to split the beam into multiple beam portions that are not afterward substantially diffracted; and a lower optics module configured to receive four beam portions and direct the beam portions onto a same location on a substrate so as to create a two dimensional interference pattern on a radiation-sensitive surface of the substrate, the interference pattern comprising a periodic series of intensity minima and maxima arising from interference between the beam portions; wherein the interchangeable upper optics module comprises a reflecting surface configured to direct the beam portions toward the same location and the interchangeable upper optics module is interchangeable for a different interchangeable upper optics module so as to change the interference pattern. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A lithographic projection apparatus, comprising:
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an illumination system configured to condition a beam of radiation; a plurality of interchangeable upper optics modules configured to be swapped into a path of the beam under computer control, each interchangeable upper optics module comprising a beam splitter configured to split the beam into multiple beam portions that are not afterward substantially diffracted; and a lower optics module configured to receive the beam portions and direct the beam portions onto a same location on a substrate so as to create an interference pattern on a radiation-sensitive surface of the substrate, the interference pattern comprising a periodic series of intensity minima and maxima arising from interference between the beam portions, wherein at least one interchangeable upper optics module comprises a reflecting surface configured to direct the beam portions toward the same location and the at least one interchangeable upper optics module is interchangeable for a different interchangeable upper optics module so as to change the interference pattern. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification