Patent ID: 6576384
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A dynamic mask exposure method comprising:providing an opaque diaphragm with a narrow slit therethrough, providing a support for scanning a workpiece in a forward direction across the narrow slit, providing a transmissive dynamic mask (TDM) comprising a spatial light modulator, having a top surface and a bottom surface and binary pixel units which are opaque or transparent as a function of control inputs on matrices of TDM actuator lines from a control system supplying pixel control signals to TDM actuator lines to form a pattern of transparent and opaque regions in the TDM, scanning the pixel control signals across the TDM in a reverse direction to provide an effective scan of an image electronically across the pixel units of the TDM simultaneously with the scanning of the workpiece which is being scanned in the reverse direction synchronously with the effective scan of the image, directing a beam onto the top surface from a beam source, passing the beam through transparent pixel units in the TDM and projecting a pattern through the TDM towards the support by projecting radiation from the beam through the narrow slit which is positioned between the beam source and the workpiece.