Patent ID: 6816233
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A projection exposure apparatus having an exposure mode for exposing a mask to transfer a pattern image of the mask onto a photosensitive substrate, said apparatus comprising:a light source for emitting an exposure beam; and a projection optical system for receiving the exposure beam and for exposing a mask to transfer a pattern image of the mask onto a photosensitive substrate, wherein the mask includes (i) a substrate transparent for the exposure beam, and (ii) a member translucent for the exposure beam formed on the transparent substrate, the transmission factor of the translucent member being different from a transmission factor of the transparent substrate, wherein a difference between an optical path length of the exposure beam passing through the transparent substrate and the translucent member and an optical path length of the exposure beam passing through the transparent substrate and the space adjacent to the translucent member on the transparent substrate is greater than (mâˆ’&frac18;)&lgr; and less than (m+&frac18;)&lgr;, where &lgr; is a wavelength of the exposure beam and m is an integer.