Patent ID: 6124718
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: B82Y,G03F,H01J

Abstract:
A charged-particle-beam projection-exposure apparatus for exposing a pattern defined by a reticle onto a sensitive substrate, the apparatus comprising:(a) a vacuum chamber;(b) a charged-particle-beam source located inside the vacuum chamber and charged-particle-beam optics for directing the charged particle beam in a manner suitable for performing projection exposure;(c) a respective projection-exposure position located inside the vacuum chamber for the reticle and the substrate, in which projection-exposure positions the reticle and substrate, respectively, are placed for performing projection exposure of the reticle pattern onto the substrate;(d) an inspection apparatus for performing an inspection, inside the vacuum chamber, of the reticle placed at an inspection position inside the vacuum chamber so as to ascertain whether or not the reticle has a physical flaw or particulate contamination sufficient to adversely affect the projection exposure; and(e) a first shifting mechanism for moving the reticle inside the vacuum chamber between the inspection position and the respective projection-exposure position without opening the vacuum chamber.