Patent ID: 9256136
Filing Date: 2016-02-09
CPC Classification: G03F

Claim Text:
1. A fluid handling structure for a lithographic apparatus, the fluid handling structure configured to confine immersion liquid to a space, the fluid handling structure comprising: an elongate opening or a plurality of openings arranged in a first line that, in use, is directed towards a facing surface of a substrate, of a substrate table configured to support the substrate, or of both the substrate and substrate table, the elongate opening or plurality of openings being an outlet configured to remove at least liquid from the space, the outlet being the nearest outlet, on any surface facing towards the facing surface, to the space that contains immersion fluid; a gas knife device having an elongate aperture in a second line, the elongate aperture being outward relative to the space of the elongate opening or plurality of openings of the first line; a surface without an opening between the first line of the elongate opening or plurality of openings and the second line of the elongate aperture; an opening, adjacent the gas knife device, comprising an elongate opening or a plurality of openings, configured to remove gas, liquid, or both liquid and gas, the opening adjacent the gas knife device being outward relative to the space of the elongate aperture in the second line; and a control system connected or connectable to an under pressure source and/or valve for the elongate opening or plurality of openings in the first line, to an under pressure source and/or for the opening adjacent the gas knife, or to both the under pressure source and/or valve for the elongate opening or plurality of openings in the first line and the under pressure source and/or valve for the opening adjacent the gas knife and configured to control the at least one under pressure source and/or valve such that, during a time where both at least liquid is removed through the elongate opening or plurality of openings in the first line and gas, liquid, or both liquid and gas, is removed through the opening adjacent the gas knife device, a non-zero gas flow rate through the opening adjacent the gas knife device is greater than a non-zero gas flow rate through the elongate opening or plurality of openings in the first line.