Patent ID: 6191429
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A processing apparatus comprising:a direction system which directs a processing beam to a principal surface of a workpiece, at least part of the direction system being in a path of the processing beam;a first detection system which detects a position of a first area of the principal surface in a Z-direction substantially perpendicular to the principal surface of the workpiece, wherein the first area is located outside a second area of the principal surface of the workpiece to be processed, and wherein the first detection system detects the position of the first area of the principal surface in the Z-direction before the processing beam is directed to the second area;a second detection system which detects the position of the first area of the principal surface in the Z-direction when the processing beam is directed to the second area; andan adjusting system which adjusts a focus condition of the processing beam on the workpiece based on the position of the first area in the Z-direction detected by the first detection system and the position of the first area in the Z-direction detected by the second detection system.