Patent ID: 9152062
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A pattern forming method of forming a predetermined pattern in each of a plurality of predetermined areas aligned in a longitudinal direction of an elongated sheet material, the pattern forming method comprising: locating a stage, which has a reference surface and is configured to flatly support the sheet material with the reference surface, by moving the stage in the longitudinal direction so that a predetermined area selected from the predetermined areas of the sheet material faces the reference surface of the stage; applying a two-dimensional tension to the predetermined area of the sheet material by adsorbing the sheet material at several portions with adsorbing-holding members that are provided on the stage and outside the reference surface while driving the adsorbing-holding members on the stage along a two-dimensional plane parallel to the reference surface, the several portions including two portions separated in the longitudinal direction and two portions separated in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; allowing the reference surface to adsorb a rear surface portion corresponding to the predetermined area of the sheet material with the two-dimensional tension applied; and illuminating an energy beam corresponding to the pattern to the predetermined area of the sheet material adsorbed to the reference surface.