Abstract:
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to radiation based on parameters includes a display, an input device, and a processor configured to execute a program for editing the parameters. The processor is configured to cause, in accordance with the program, the display to display a first group of a first classification name for classifying the parameters, a second group of a second classification name for classifying the parameters, and contents of parameters corresponding to a combination of the first classification name and the second classification name selected by the input device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to, for example, edition of parameters of an exposure apparatus.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A general semiconductor exposure apparatus sets, by using parameters, switching of its control method, an offset value, and the contents of a wafer exposure process. The exposure apparatus provides an operator with an editing window (user interface) as a means for setting various parameters. The operator sets these parameters via the editing window.  
         [0003]     The editing window associated with apparatus parameters (system parameters) for setting switching of the control method and the offset value uses different parameters as editing targets depending on the type of works using the exposure apparatus. Therefore, the parameters are classified for the respective works. In the individual works, the parameters are further classified for a plurality of functions because of the necessity of setting for the functions.  
         [0004]     In order to edit the system parameters with the above structure, a conventional system parameter editing window has a hierarchical structure in which the individual works are defined as a parent window of upper level and a function contained in each work is defined as a child window of lower level.  
         [0005]     In many cases, recipe parameters as the contents of the wafer exposure process have a value common among recipes used for the same device. However, in a conventional recipe parameter editing window, the individual recipes can be edited only separately (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-340500).  
         [0006]     If the system parameter editing window has the hierarchical structure in which works are defined as parents and functions are defined as children, window transition passes from the work to the function. However, after the window is changed to a function which belongs to a certain work, to change the window to a function of another work, the window must be temporarily returned to the work and changed to the another work. This requires a heavy work load for window transition.  
         [0007]     Furthermore, in the recipe parameter editing window, the individual recipes are separately edited. However, a plurality of parameters having the same value among a plurality of recipes used for the same device are present. Therefore, although the parameters have the same value among the recipes, they must be set for the respective recipes. As a result, there is still room for improvement in the conventional recipe editing window.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention has been made in consideration of the above background, and has as its exemplary object to provide a novel technique associated with edition of parameters of an exposure apparatus.  
         [0009]     In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to radiation based on parameters, comprising: a display; an input device; and a processor configured to execute a program for editing the parameters, wherein the processor is configured to cause, in accordance with the program, the display to display a first group of a first classification name for classifying the parameters, a second group of a second classification name for classifying the parameters, and contents of parameters corresponding to a combination of the first classification name and the second classification name selected by the input device.  
         [0010]     There is also provided a method of editing parameters of an exposure apparatus, the exposure apparatus exposing a substrate to radiation based on the parameters, the method comprising steps of: causing a display to display a first group of a first classification name for classifying the parameters and a second group of a second classification name for classifying the parameters; and causing the display to display contents of parameters corresponding to a combination of the first classification name and the second classification name selected by an input device.  
         [0011]     According to the second aspect of the presents invention, there is provided an exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to radiation based on parameters, comprising: a display; an input device; and a processor configured to execute a program for editing the parameters, wherein the processor is configured to cause, in accordance with the program, the display to display, with respect to a first recipe to be executed by the apparatus, a content of a first parameter and a name of a group of a second parameter that is different from the first parameter, and configured to set, with respect to a second recipe that is different from the first recipe, a content of the group of the second parameter based on the name designated by the input device.  
         [0012]     There is also provided a method of editing parameters of an exposure apparatus, the exposure apparatus exposing a substrate to radiation based on the parameters, and the method comprising steps of: causing a display to display, with respect to a first recipe to be executed by the apparatus, a content of a first parameter and a name of a group of a second parameter that is different from the first parameter; and setting, with respect to a second recipe that is different from the first recipe, a content of the group of the second parameter based on the name designated by an input device.  
         [0013]     The present invention is also implemented as a device manufacturing method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the parameter editing method or exposure apparatus corresponding to the first and second aspects.  
         [0014]     The present invention can, for example, efficiently edit parameters of an exposure apparatus.  
         [0015]     Other objects and advantages besides those discussed above shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as follows. In the description, reference is made to accompanying drawings, which form apart thereof, and which illustrate an example of the invention. Such example, however, is not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore reference is made to the claims which follow the description for determining the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a semiconductor exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a view showing the internal structure of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the electrical circuit configuration of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a conceptual view showing the structure of system parameters used for the apparatus in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a view showing a display example of a system parameter editor in the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a view showing a system parameter editor when some works are not allowed to be edited in accordance with the operator&#39;s authority;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a view showing a display example of a recipe parameter editor in the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a view representing a display example of a window to select templates to be set into recipe parameters;  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a view showing a display example of a window to input a value to a recipe parameter;  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a view representing the displayed structure of a template editing window;  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart for explaining a device manufacturing method using the exposure apparatus according to the embodiment; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing details of step S 4  shown in  FIG. 11 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0029]     Note that the embodiments to be described hereinafter are examples as implementing means of the present invention, and can be appropriately modified or changed in accordance with various conditions and the structure of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied. For example, the present invention is not limited to the arrangements of the embodiments to be described later, and includes a combination of feature points of the first and second embodiments.  
         [0030]     Moreover, the present invention can also be practiced by supplying software (e.g., program codes) or a storage medium (or recording medium) which stores the software for implementing a method such as a parameter editing method or device manufacturing method according to the embodiments to be described later to a system or apparatus and causing the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to read out and execute the program codes.  
         [0031]     The program codes themselves, which are installed to implement the functional processes of the present invention in the computer also implement the present invention. That is, the computer program itself, which implements the functional processes of the present invention may also be incorporated in the present invention.  
         [0032]     In this case, the program can take any form such as an object code, a program to be executed by an interpreter, or script data to be supplied to the OS as long as the functions of the program can be obtained.  
         [0033]     As the recording medium to supply the program, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magnetooptical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or DVD (DVD-ROM or DVD-R) can be used.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a semiconductor exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the semiconductor exposure apparatus comprises a temperature regulating chamber  101 , EWS (Engineering Workstation) main body  106 , and console unit. The temperature regulating chamber  101  accommodates the apparatus main body and controls the temperature of its internal environment. The EWS main body  106  is arranged in the chamber  101  and includes a CPU which controls the apparatus main body. The console unit includes an EWS display  102 , a TV monitor  105 , an operation panel  103 , and an input device  104  such as an EWS keyboard. The EWS display  102  displays predetermined information about the apparatus. The TV monitor  105  displays image information obtained via an image sensing means in the apparatus main body. The operation panel  103  allows the operator to execute a predetermined input operation to the apparatus main body. In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  107  denotes an ON/OFF switch;  108 , an emergency stop switch;  109 , various switches, a mouse, and the like;  110 , a LAN communication cable;  111 , an exhaust duct which removes heat from the console functions; and  112 , an evacuation device of the chamber  101 .  
         [0036]     The EWS display  102  is of a flat type such as EL, plasma, or liquid crystal. The EWS display  102  is accommodated in the front surface of the chamber  101  and connected to the EWS main body  106  via the LAN communication cable  110 . The operation panel  103 , keyboard  104 , and TV monitor  105  are also attached to the front surface of the chamber  101  so as to allow the operator to execute various operations from the front surface of the chamber  101  via the console unit similar to the conventional one.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a view showing the internal structure of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a stepper as the semiconductor exposure apparatus is shown. In  FIG. 2 , reference numeral  202  denotes a reticle; and  203 , a wafer. When a light beam emitted from a light source device  204  passes through an illumination optical system  205  and illuminates the reticle  202 , a pattern on the reticle  202  can be transferred onto a photosensitive layer on the wafer  203  through a projection lens or projection optical system  206 . The reticle  202  is supported by a reticle stage  207  for holding and moving the reticle  202 . The wafer  203  is exposed while being chucked by vacuum suction using a wafer chuck  291 . The wafer chuck  291  can be moved in the direction of each axis by a wafer stage  209 . A reticle optical system  281  for detecting the position shift amount of the reticle is arranged above the reticle  202 . An off-axis microscope  282  is arranged adjacent to the projection lens or projection optical system  206  above the wafer stage  209 . The off-axis microscope  282  mainly serves to detect the relative position between a reference mark in the main body and an alignment mark on the wafer  203 . A reticle library  220  and wafer carrier elevator  230  as peripheral devices are arranged adjacent to the stepper main body including the above components. A target reticle and wafer are transported to the stepper main body by a reticle transport device  221  and wafer transport device  231 , respectively.  
         [0039]     The chamber  101  includes an air conditioner room  210 , filter box  213 , and booth  214 . The air conditioner room  210  mainly regulates the temperature of air. The filter box  213  filters out fine particles to form a uniform flow of clean air. The booth  214  shuts off the apparatus environment from the outside. In the chamber  101 , the air whose temperature is regulated by a cooler  215  and reheater  216  in the air conditioner room  210  is supplied to the booth  214  by a blower  217  through an air filter g. The air supplied to the booth  214  is recovered from a return port ra into the air conditioner room  210 , and circulates in the chamber  101 . Strictly speaking, the chamber  101  is not normally a complete circulation system. To always maintain the booth  214  at a positive pressure, 10% of air in the circulating air amount is externally introduced, through the blower, from an outside gas introduction port oa formed in the air conditioner room  210 .  
         [0040]     In this manner, the chamber  101  which accommodates the apparatus main body can keep its internal environment at a constant temperature and the air clean. An air supply port sa and exhaust port ea are prepared for the light source device  204  against a poisonous gas produced upon cooling a very-high-pressure mercury-vapor lamp or laser abnormality. Part of the air in the booth  214  passes through the light source device  204  and is forcibly exhausted to factory equipments through a dedicated exhaust fan provided in the air conditioner room  210 . Also, chemisorption filters cf for removing chemicals in the air are connected to the outside gas introduction port oa and return port ra of the air conditioner room  210 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the electrical circuit configuration of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a main body CPU  321  which is incorporated in the EWS main body  106  and controls the overall apparatus is constituted by a central processing unit such as a microcomputer or minicomputer. Reference numeral  322  denotes a wafer stage driver;  323 , an alignment detection system constituted by the off-axis microscope  282 ;  324 , a reticle stage driver;  325 , an illumination system such as the light source device  204 ;  326 , a shutter driver;  327 , a focus detection system; and  328 , a Z-driver. These components are controlled by the CPU main body  321 . Reference numeral  329  denotes a transport system such as the reticle transport device  221  or wafer transport device  231 . A console unit  330  having the display  102  and keyboard  104  gives various commands and parameters associated with the operation of the exposure apparatus to the main body CPU  321 . That is, the console unit  330  exchanges information with the operator. Reference numeral  331  denotes a console CPU; and  332 , an external memory. The external memory  332  is, e.g., a hard disk. The external memory  332  has a built-in database which records various parameters, data for managing them, and the operator&#39;s group.  
         [0043]     This embodiment exemplifies a mode in which a parameter editor as a characteristic feature of the present invention is realized. An example in which various parameters of the exposure apparatus, which are stored in the external memory  332 , are changed will be described hereinafter.  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a view showing the outline of the structure of system parameters of the exposure apparatus, which are stored in the external memory  332 . The system parameters form a hierarchical tree structure in which a lower layer belongs to an upper layer. An upper layer  400  is a work layer and comprises individual works as constituent elements. An intermediate layer  401  lower than the upper layer  400  is a function layer and comprises individual functions as constituent elements. A lower layer  402  lower than the intermediate layer  401  is a parameter layer and comprises individual parameters as constituent elements. The elements of the function layer  401  may belong to elements of a plurality of work layers  400 .  FIG. 4  represents that a function Func  2  belongs to works Work  1  and Work  2 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a view exemplifying a system parameter editor  500  which serves as an editing tool (user interface) displayed on the display  102  in  FIG. 1  and edits the system parameters of the exposure apparatus, which are stored in the external memory  332 . Programs (editor programs) associated with edition are executed by, e.g., the console CPU  331 . The system parameter editor  500  comprises a work button display area  501 , function button display area  503 , parameter editing area  505 , editing save button  506 , and editing cancel button  507 .  
         [0046]     Work switching buttons (work names)  502  corresponding to the work elements contained in the work layer  400  of  FIG. 4  are arranged in the work button display area  501 . Function switching buttons (function names)  504  corresponding to the function elements contained in the function layer  401  of  FIG. 4  are arranged in the function button display area  503 . The individual parameters contained in the lower layer  402  of  FIG. 4  are arranged in the parameter editing area  505  to provide a means for editing the parameters. The editing save button  506  provides a means for reflecting, in the external memory  332 , change in parameter value executed in the parameter editing area  505 . The editing cancel button  507  provides a means for canceling change in parameter value executed in the parameter editing area  505 .  
         [0047]     In the system parameter editor  500 , the work switching buttons  502  displayed in the work button display area  501 , and the function switching buttons  504  displayed in the function button display area  503  are arranged in a matrix, i.e., horizontally and vertically. A parameter which belongs to a selected work switching button  502  and function switching button  504  is displayed in the parameter editing area  505 . In the system parameter editor  500  of  FIG. 5 , the work Work  2  is selected as the work switching button  502 , and a function Func  4  is selected as the function switching button  504 , so a parameter which belongs to the work Work  2  and function Func  4  is displayed in the parameter editing area  505 . This amounts to displaying a parameter f in the lower layer  402 , which belongs to the work Work  2  in the work layer  400  and belongs to the function Func  4  in the function layer  401 .  
         [0048]     As described above, in the system parameter editor  500 , the work switching buttons  502  and function switching buttons  504  are listed and displayed in the matrix. Only by selecting a work switching button  502  or function switching button  504  desired to be displayed, a corresponding parameter is displayed in the parameter display area  505 . This makes it possible to facilitate window transition.  
         [0049]     As indicated by the structure of the system parameters in  FIG. 4 , in the function layer  401 , some functions belong to a specific one of the respective work elements in the work layer  400  and others do not. Therefore, in the system parameter editor  500 , function switching buttons (Func  7  and Func  8 ), which do not belong to a selected work switching button  502 , are displayed using a color or pattern different from that of function switching buttons  504  which belong to the selected work, so that the operator is allowed to easily determine whether a function of interest belongs to a work element. In the same manner, some works in the work layer  400  contain a specific function in the function layer  401  and others do not. For this reason, work switching buttons (Work  4 ) to which a selected function switching button  504  does not belong are displayed using a color or pattern different from that of work switching buttons  502  to which the selected function switching button  504  belongs. In the system parameter editor  500 , buttons of functions Func  7  and Func  8  in the function switching buttons  504  have a different color and pattern while the work Work  2  is being selected as the work switching button  502 . This represents that the functions Func  7  and Func  8  do not belong to the work Work  2 .  
         [0050]     The parameter display area  505  has a tab structure in the system parameter editor  500 . Also, parameters in one tab are further classified into labels. With such a display structure, the operator can effectively grasp parameters even when the number of parameters displayed in the parameter editing area  505  is large.  
         [0051]     In the system parameter editor  500 , when the work switching buttons  502  are manipulated to select arbitrary work elements, it is possible to edit parameters which belong to arbitrary work elements. In fact, however, editable works are limited in accordance with the authority of the operator using the apparatus.  FIG. 6  is a view showing a system parameter editor  600  when editable works are limited in accordance with the operator&#39;s authority. The system parameter editor  600  represents the state in which the operator having authority to edit only the work Work  2  and a work Work  4  manipulates the editing window. In a work button display area  601  of the system parameter editor  600 , only work switching buttons  602  (and function switching buttons  604  which belong to work elements for which the operator has editing authority) corresponding to the work elements are displayed to be selectable (that is, selection and edition for which the operator has no authority are prohibited). As described above, in the system parameter editor  600 , switching whether to display the work switching buttons  602  in synchronism with the operator&#39;s authority makes it possible to prevent the operator to edit parameters for which the operator has no authority.  
         [0052]     In the window of  FIG. 6 , buttons for selecting information for which the operator has no editing authority need not necessarily be displayed.  
         [0053]     According to this embodiment, system parameters can be efficiently edited, thus shortening the editing operation time. In particular, such an effect becomes conspicuous when system parameters are edited while referring to a plurality of work windows or function windows.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0054]     The first embodiment serves as a means for efficiently editing system parameters. To the contrary, the second embodiment serving as a means for efficiently editing recipe parameters will be described below.  
         [0055]      FIG. 7  is a view showing a recipe parameter editor  700  which serves as an editing tool to be displayed on the display  102  in  FIG. 1 , and edits recipes of an exposure apparatus for each device, that are stored in an external memory  332 .  
         [0056]     The layer editor  700  includes a recipe list  702 , editing save button  707 , parameter editing button  708 , parameter copy button  709 , parameter paste button  710 , and editing cancel button  711 . The recipe list  702  lists recipes contained in a device. Each row of the recipe list  702  represents a recipe for one layer of the device. The recipe list is displayed in the order of hierarchy of layers. A number  703 , recipe name  704 , and various parameters, which serve as recipe parameters for the layer, are displayed in each row of the recipe list  702 . The number  703  represents the order of the hierarchy in the device. If the recipe list  702  has a large number of parameters contained in recipes, it can be divided into a plurality of lists and a display portion of the recipe list  702  can be switched by a tab  701 . With this arrangement, the recipe of the device can be listed for each hierarchy, thus allowing the operator to easily grasp setting contents.  
         [0057]     Recipe parameters form a parameter set which characterizes the recipe. The parameter set often takes a value common in a device. The parameter set that is common in the device is defined as a template so as to set it into the recipe. Using the template makes it possible to set a plurality of parameters to the same value over a plurality of recipes.  
         [0058]     A layout item  705  displayed in the recipe list  702  displays a template of a shot layout set in a recipe. The shot layout is formed from a plurality of parameters such as the size or arrangement information of the exposure shot. The set of parameters is a template which characterizes the layout.  
         [0059]      FIG. 8  is a view representing a layout template selection window  800  which lists choices of layout templates to be set into recipes. Selectable layout templates are displayed in a layout template list  802 . Each layout template is formed, using a layout name  803  as a key item, from a plurality of parameters such as the step size or shot arrangement information, thereby forming a layout. A layout viewer  801  displays an image of the layout selected in the layout template list  802 .  
         [0060]     A means for setting a layout template into a layout template item in the recipe list  702  of  FIG. 7  is as follows. When the Edit button  708  is pressed after the layout template item  705  of a recipe as an editing target is selected, the layout template selection window  800  in  FIG. 8  is activated. In the layout template list  802  of the layout template selection window  800 , the selected template is stored as a setting target in the recipe. When an OK button  804  is pressed, the layout template selection window  800  is ended. The template selected in the layout template selection window  800  is set into the layout item  705  as the selection target. As described above, using the means for setting a template as a set of a plurality of parameters makes it possible to easily set a template common among a plurality of recipes, thus improving the efficiency of recipe edition.  
         [0061]     A means for setting a value into a parameter item  706  other than templates in the recipe list  702  is as follows. When the Edit button  708  is pressed after the parameter item  706  of a recipe as an editing target is selected, a parameter value input window  900  in  FIG. 9  is activated. An input value is stored in a value input area  901  of the parameter value input window  900 . When an OK button  902  is pressed, the parameter value input window  900  is ended. The value input in the value input area  901  is set into the parameter item  706  as the selection target.  
         [0062]     The layer editor  700  in  FIG. 7  also has a means for copying a parameter among recipes. An arbitrary item corresponding to an arbitrary recipe in the recipe list  702  can be selected. When the Copy button  709  is pressed, the value of the selected item is stored. After that, a recipe item in the same row as that of a copy source is selected in the recipe list  702  and stored as a copy destination. When the Paste button  710  is pressed, the value of the copy source is reflected in the copy destination. In this manner, a specific recipe parameter can be copied while taking a look at recipe parameters contained in a device. Therefore, a common value can be readily reflected in recipes having a large number of common values while comparing the setting states of the respective recipes.  
         [0063]      FIG. 10  is a view representing a layout template editing window  1000  to edit layout templates. The layout template editing window  1000  includes a layout template list  1002 , layout viewer  1001 , Edit button  1003 , Add button  1004 , Delete button  1005 , Copy button  1006 , Paste button  1007 , and Cancel button  1008 . The layout template list  1002  displays registered templates. The layout viewer  1001  displays a layout image of the templates. The Edit button  1003  is used to edit parameters of the templates. The Add button  1004  is used to newly add a template. The Delete button  1005  is used to delete a registered template. The Copy button  1006  is used to store a template of a copy source. The Paste button  1007  is used to add, as a new template, the template of the copy source. The Cancel button  1008  is used to end the layout template editing window  1000 .  
         [0064]     In the layout template list  1002 , each row represents one template. A template created and edited in the layout template editing window  1000  is displayed in the layout template selection window  800 . Moreover, in the layout template editing window  1000 , when a template which has already been set in a recipe is to be edited, change in template is reflected in the recipe. At this time, template change is confirmed for each recipe whose template is being referred to. For example, the number of shots necessary for wafer position alignment is designated in the recipe. When the number of shots does not reach the required number upon re-editing the template, a warning window is activated to call the operator&#39;s attention. In this manner, even when a template is being referred to by a recipe, change in template can be collectively reflected in the referred recipe, thus realizing efficient edition.  
         [0065]     According to this embodiment, recipe parameters can be efficiently edited, thus shortening the editing operation time. In particular, in editing recipe parameters, such an effect becomes conspicuous when recipe parameters are created for a device formed from multiple layers.  
         [0000]     [Device Manufacturing Method] 
         [0066]     A semiconductor device manufacturing method using the above exposure apparatus will be described next with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 .  FIG. 11  is a flowchart for explaining the manufacture of a device (a semiconductor chip such as an IC or LSI, an LCD, or a CCD). The semiconductor chip manufacture will be exemplified here. In step S 1  (circuit design), a device is designed. In step S 2  (mask fabrication), a mask (also called a reticle) on which the designed circuit pattern is formed is fabricated. In step S 3  (wafer manufacture), a wafer (also called a substrate) is manufactured using a material such as silicon. In step S 4  (wafer process) called a pre-process, an actual circuit is formed on the wafer by lithography using the mask and wafer. In step S 5  (assembly) called a post-process, a semiconductor chip is formed using the wafer manufactured in step S 4 . This step includes an assembly step (dicing and bonding) and packaging step (chip encapsulation). In step S 6  (inspection), the semiconductor device manufactured in step S 5  undergoes inspections such as an operation confirmation test and durability test. After these steps, the semiconductor device is completed and shipped (step S 7 ).  
         [0067]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing details of the wafer process in step S 4  shown in  FIG. 11 . In step  11  (oxidation), the surface of the wafer is oxidized. In step  12  (CVD), an insulating film is formed on the wafer surface. In step  13  (electrode formation), an electrode is formed on the wafer by deposition. In step  14  (ion implantation), ions are implanted into the wafer. In step  15  (resist process), a photosensitive agent is applied to the wafer. In step  16  (exposure), the wafer is exposed, using the exposure apparatus, to radiation via the mask on which the circuit pattern is formed. In step  17  (development), the exposed wafer is developed. In step  18  (etching), portions other than the developed resist image are etched. In step  19  (resist removal), any unnecessary resist remaining after etching is removed. By repeating these steps, a multilayered structure of circuit patterns is formed on the wafer.  
         [0068]     A device manufacturing method which achieves an effect similar to that of the above exposure apparatus is also applied to devices themselves serving as an intermediate and final product. Such devices include a semiconductor chip such as an LSI or VLSI, a CCD, an LCD, a magnetic sensor, and a thin-film magnetic head. Also, the radiation used by the above exposure apparatus is not limited to light, and includes electromagnetic waves having various wavelengths and a particle beam such as an electron beam. Moreover, the above exposure apparatus may directly draw a pattern on a wafer without using a mask.  
         [0069]     As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.  
         [0070]     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-106786, filed Apr. 1, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.