Patent ID: 6608667
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
An exposure apparatus having an illumination system for transferring a pattern formed on a master onto a photosensitive member by exposure light and a stop for setting an illumination region on the photosensitive member by the exposure light, said apparatus comprising:an exposure control system for forming a plurality of exposure regions by performing exposure while scanning the illumination region on the photosensitive member in a first direction, the plurality of exposure regions forming a transfer pattern on the photosensitive member by connecting the formed exposure regions in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with regions superposed on each other; and a stop driving system for, in forming the exposure regions, driving the stop and controlling an aperture portion of the stop to form a region where an exposure light amount gradually decreases outward from the exposure regions in the superposed regions of the exposure regions, wherein the aperture of the stop is formed by a plurality of vanes, and said stop driving system moves a vane of the stop on a side of the superposed regions in the second direction during the scanning in the first direction.