Patent ID: 9304385
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: G03B,G03F

Claim Text:
1. An exposure method that transfers a pattern to a work piece, the exposure method comprising: providing a mask that includes (i) a pattern forming region in which the pattern is formed that is to be transferred to the work piece, (ii) a light shielding member that surrounds the pattern forming region, and (iii) an outer circumference region that does not include the pattern that is to be transferred to the work piece, the outer circumference region including a first holding region, a first light absorbing region and a second light absorbing region, wherein the first holding region, the first light absorbing region and the second light absorbing region are positioned distal to the light shielding member relative to the pattern forming region, the first light absorbing region and the second light absorbing region being positioned on opposing sides of the light shielding member; holding the first holding region of the outer circumference region with a holding part; illuminating the pattern forming region of the mask with an exposure light from an illumination system, wherein the illuminating the pattern forming region of the mask with the exposure light causes deformation of the pattern forming region; and substantially simultaneously selectively irradiating each of the first light absorbing region and the second light absorbing region of the outer circumference region to selectively heat and deform the outer circumference region of the mask.