Patent ID: 8922754
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A lithographic apparatus comprising: a projection system by which a patterned radiation beam is projected onto a substrate; a liquid confinement system which is configured to at least partly confine liquid in a space beneath the projection system, the liquid confinement system having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to supply the liquid to beneath a lower surface of the liquid confinement system, the outlet being disposed to surround the inlet and being configured to remove the liquid from beneath the lower surface; at least a first stage and a second stage; a positioning system configured to move the first stage and the second stage; a controller configured to control the positioning system; and a channel system, wherein: the controller controls the positioning system to perform a joint scan movement in which the first stage and the second stage cooperate while moving between a first situation and a second situation, the liquid being confined between the first stage and the projection system in the first situation and the liquid being confined between the second stage and the projection system in the second situation, such that during the joint scan movement the liquid is essentially confined within the space beneath the projection system, the first stage has a first immersion cross edge at or near a side of the first stage, the second stage has a second immersion cross edge at or near a side of the second stage, the first immersion cross edge and the second immersion cross edge being face-to-face with each other with a gap between the immersion cross edges during the joint scan movement of the first and second stages, the first stage has a first lower portion located below the first immersion cross edge of the first stage, the first lower portion protruding outward beyond the first immersion cross edge and being stationary relative to the first immersion cross edge, the second stage has a second lower portion located below the second immersion cross edge of the second stage, the second immersion cross edge of the second stage protruding outward beyond the second lower portion to form an overhang portion of the second stage, the overhang portion having the second immersion cross edge of the second stage, during the joint scan movement, the first lower portion of the first stage is disposed below the gap and at least a part of the first lower portion is disposed under the overhang portion of the second stage, and the channel system has an opening provided at the first lower portion of the first stage, and the channel system is configured to drain the liquid that passes through the gap formed between the first and second immersion cross edges during the joint scan movement via the opening.