Patent ID: 6795161
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
An exposure apparatus having an illuminating optics unit for irradiating a reticle, on which a predetermined pattern has been formed, with exposing light emitted from an exposure light source, a reticle stage on which the reticle is placed, a projection optics unit for projecting the predetermined pattern of the reticle onto a substrate, and a substrate stage on which the substrate is placed, said apparatus comprising:at least one chamber for internally accommodating the illuminating optics unit, the reticle stage, the projection optics unit and the substrate stage; first pressure control means for making a value of pressure inside said at least one chamber higher than a value of pressure outside said at least one chamber; and first correction means for correcting optical characteristics of the projection optics unit, by performing at least one of (i) moving an adjustment unit while controlling the value of pressure inside said at least one chamber based on the value controlled by said first pressure control means, for adjusting the optical characteristics of the projection optics unit and (ii) shifting a wavelength of the exposing light while controlling the value of pressure inside said at least one chamber, in accordance with the value of the pressure inside said at least one chamber.