Patent ID: 8272544
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. An exposure method comprising: forming an immersion area on part of a substrate such that a projection area of a projection optical system is covered by the immersion area; exposing the substrate by projecting an exposure light onto the substrate through the projection optical system and the liquid in the immersion area positioned between an optical member of the projection optical system and the substrate; and forming a spare immersion area at an outer circumference of the immersion area by disposing part of the liquid supplied onto the substrate, wherein the spare immersion area is formed between an immersion-area-forming-member and the substrate during the exposure of the substrate, the immersion-area-forming-member is provided to surround the optical member of the projection optical system, and an upper surface of the substrate faces a lower portion of the immersion-area-forming-member during the exposure of the substrate, the immersion-area-forming-member has a groove portion in the lower portion, the groove portion being arranged to surround a path of the exposure light, and part of the liquid in the spare immersion area is retained between the groove portion and the upper surface the substrate during the exposure of the substrate.