Patent ID: 7443482
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A liquid supply and recovery system for an immersion lithography apparatus that projects an image pattern onto a workpiece through an optical element disposed opposite the workpiece, an exposure region being defined between the optical element and the workpiece, the liquid supply and recovery system comprising: a plurality of arrays of nozzles with openings proximally located to the exposure region; and a fluid controlling device that alternately: (i) selects nozzles in one or more of the arrays on one or more of selected sides of the exposure region to be source nozzles and causes a liquid to be supplied through the source nozzles into the exposure region such that the liquid contacts both the workpiece and the optical element for immersion lithography, and (ii) selects nozzles in one or more of the arrays on one or more sides of the exposure region to be recovery nozzles and causes the liquid to be recovered from the exposure region by the recovery nozzles, wherein a given nozzle in any of the arrays can function as both a source nozzle and as a recovery nozzle at alternate times.