Patent ID: 7932989
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A liquid jet and recovery system for an immersion lithography apparatus that projects an image pattern onto a workpiece through an optical element disposed opposite said workpiece, an exposure region being defined between said optical element and said workpiece, said liquid jet and recovery system comprising: fluid-supply arrays of nozzles with openings that surround and are proximally located to said exposure region; fluid-recovery arrays of nozzles, surrounding said fluid-supply arrays of nozzles; and a fluid controlling device that causes a fluid to be supplied through selected one or more of said fluid-supply arrays of nozzles into said exposure region such that said fluid contacts both said workpiece and said optical element for immersion lithography and that causes recovery of said fluid from said exposure region through selected one or more of said fluid-recovery arrays of nozzles.