Patent ID: 6310934
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: G03F,G21K

Abstract:
An X-ray projection exposure apparatus operating in a vacuum or a reduced-pressure environment, said apparatus comprising:a mask chuck for holding a reflection X-ray mask having a mask pattern thereon in the vacuum or in the reduced pressure environment, a void being formed between the mask and said mask chuck;a wafer chuck for holding a wafer onto which the mask pattern is transferred;an X-ray illuminating system for illuminating the reflection X-ray mask, held by said mask chuck, with X-rays;an X-ray projection optical system for projecting the mask pattern of the reflection X-ray mask onto the wafer held by said wafer chuck with a predetermined magnification; andsupply means for supplying the void formed between the mask and said mask chuck with a cooling gas for cooling the mask.