Patent ID: 7088422
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus capable of projecting light comprising: a frame; a lens system disposed within said frame; a horizontal support surface generally associated with said frame capable of holding a semiconductor wafer; a first motion control device capable of producing an x, y, and z dimensional movement between said horizontal support surface relative to said frame; a final lens element in said lens system, positioned near a first end of said frame, said final lens element having a final lens element surface, said final lens element surface capable of being positioned near said semiconductor wafer; wherein said final lens element is coupled to a second motion control device capable of moving said final lens element relative to said frame; and a light source positioned near a second end of said frame, said light source capable of passing light through said lens system; wherein said final lens element is capable of movement relative to said frame; wherein a proximal lens surface on said final lens element surface is partially or totally submerged in a liquid when in an operable position; and wherein a relative horizontal velocity between said proximal lens surface and said horizontal support surface is small enough to ensure that turbulence and air bubbles created in said liquid by said relative horizontal velocity do not cause significant degradation of an imaging quality of the apparatus.