Patent ID: 7123343
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to exposure light via a pattern of a mask, said apparatus comprising: a stage configured to hold one of the substrate and the mask, and to move; a projection optical system configured to project the pattern onto the substrate; a defining member facing said stage and configured to define a space, between said stage and said projection optical system, through which the exposure light passes and which is to be filled with a fluid; a first stream mechanism having a first supply port in said defining member and configured to stream the fluid through the space from said first supply port; an exhaust mechanism having an exhaust port in said defining member and configured to exhaust fluid in the space from said exhaust port; and a second stream mechanism having second and third supply ports, different from said first supply port, in said defining member, said second and third supply ports arranged opposite to each other with respect to the space, and configured to stream fluid from said second and third supply ports to seal the space, a distance between said second and third supply ports being smaller than a size of the one of the substrate and the mask.