Patent ID: 7365828
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. An exposure apparatus which exposes a pattern of an original onto a substrate through a projection optical system with a space between said projection optical system and the substrate filled with liquid, said apparatus comprising: a liquid supply nozzle configured to supply the liquid to the space through a liquid supply opening, wherein a porous ceramic is provided with the liquid supply opening of the liquid supply nozzle; a liquid supply unit configured to supply the liquid into the liquid supply nozzle; a liquid recovery unit configured to recover the liquid in the liquid supply nozzle by using a vacuum source; and a gas supply unit configured to supply a gas into the liquid supply nozzle through a pipe connected to the liquid supply opening of the liquid supply nozzle, wherein a gas supply by the gas supply unit is started and a liquid recovery by the liquid recovery unit is started while a liquid supply by the liquid supply unit is stopped.