Patent ID: 7619714
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. An exposure apparatus which has a projection optical system and exposes a substrate to a pattern of an original through the projection optical system with a gap between the projection optical system and the substrate filled with a liquid, the apparatus comprising: (a) a stage configured to hold the substrate and to be moved; and (b) a nozzle structure arranged around the final surface of the projection optical system and having first and second surfaces opposite to a surface of the substrate held by the stage, the first surface being arranged inside the second surface and different from the second surface in a distance from the surface of the substrate, wherein the nozzle structure includes: (i) a supply port configured to supply a liquid to the gap; and (ii) a recovery port arranged on the second surface and outside the supply port, and configured to recover a liquid from the gap.