Patent ID: 8279396
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. An immersion lithographic apparatus comprising: a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate; a fluid handling system comprising a barrier member and configured to supply fluid to, contain fluid within, and/or remove fluid from, a space between the projection system and the substrate, a part of the optical axis of the projection system passing through the space toward the substrate; a surface from at least a portion of which a fluid droplet is to be removed; and an active droplet removal system formed on or in the surface, wherein the portion of the surface is removed from adjacent portions of the apparatus such that net capillary force, if any, acting on a fluid droplet on the portion of the surface does not cause the fluid droplet to move by capillary action, and the active droplet removal system is arranged to manipulate the fluid droplet on the portion of the surface without the assistance of capillary action and to move the fluid droplet toward the part of the optical axis passing through the space.