Patent ID: 9709900
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: G03F

Claim:
1. A liquid immersion exposure apparatus comprising: a projection optical system via which exposure light is projected; a first stage that is movable below the projection optical system, the first stage having a holding portion configured to hold a substrate; a second stage that is movable below the projection optical system; and a nozzle member having an opening through which the exposure light is projected, the nozzle member having a supply opening via which a liquid is supplied, the nozzle member having a first recovery opening via which the liquid is collected; wherein: during exposure of the substrate, a portion of a surface of the substrate is covered by the liquid while performing liquid supply from the supply opening and liquid collection from the first recovery opening, the first and second stages are movable close toward and away from each other, and at least one of the first and second stages has a second recovery opening via which the liquid that comes from a gap between the first stage and the second stage is recovered.