Patent ID: 7420652
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. An immersion lithography method for the exposure of a substrate wherein the method is carried out by means of a scanning exposure device including: a beam source, which generates a beam for exposing the substrate; a holder, which accommodates a reticle; a carrier, on which a substrate is arranged, whereby the distance between the reticle and the substrate is alterable during exposure of the substrate; an imaging element, which is arranged between the reticle and the substrate; and a computer; the method comprising: introducing an immersion fluid between the imaging element and the substrate and exposing the substrate to the beam, wherein the beam passes from the radiation source through the reticle, the imaging element, and the immersion fluid onto a surface of the substrate; and scanning the beam across the reticle in a first direction while moving the carrier in a second direction, wherein a depth of focus and/or an exposure resolution of the substrate is set by applying a distance variation in the distance between the reticle and the substrate surface which varies linearly along the second direction while exposing the substrate; wherein the distance variation is supplied by the computer and is determined in dependence on the variation of change in the depth of focus and/or an image resolution caused by a change in temperature of the immersion fluid while exposing the substrate.