Exposure apparatus, and method of manufacturing article

The present invention provides an exposure apparatus which performs a scanning exposure of each of a plurality of shot regions on a substrate, comprising a measuring device including a first detector configured to perform detection with respect to a measurement point on the substrate and a second detector configured to perform detection with respect to the measurement point prior to detection by the first detector, and configured to measure a height of the substrate based on an output from the first detector and an output from the second detector, and a processor configured to determine, based on measurement obtained based on an output from the first detector along with a scanning exposure of a first shot region, a first measurement point where the measuring device performs measurement first based on an output from the second detector with respect to a second shot region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus, and a method of manufacturing an article.

Description of the Related Art

There is an exposure apparatus for performing scanning exposure to a shot region on a substrate by scanning slit-shaped light on the substrate as one of the apparatuses used in the manufacturing processes (lithography processes) of semiconductor devices and the like. Such an exposure apparatus performs measurement (focus measurement) of the surface height of the substrate prior to irradiation of the substrate with slit-shaped light, and performs scanning exposure to the shot region while arranging, based on the measurement result, the surface of the substrate on the image plane (focus plane) of a projection optical system.

In the exposure apparatus, a period (settling time) from the completion of acceleration of a stage to the start of scanning exposure may be reduced to increase a throughput. To achieve this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-94256 proposes a method of setting the settling time in accordance with required focus accuracy. For example, if the allowable value of defocus is large, focus measurement in the end portion or the vicinity of a shot region can be omitted. This makes it possible to shorten a period prior to the start of scanning exposure and in which a stage suitable for focus measurement is moved at a uniform velocity, and thus shorten the settling time.

Although the method of setting the settling time in accordance with the allowable value of defocus is effective, defocus may exceed the allowable value depending on the surface shape of a substrate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, for example, an exposure apparatus advantageous in terms of compatibility between focus performance and throughput.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exposure apparatus which performs a scanning exposure of each of a plurality of shot regions on a substrate to radiation, the apparatus comprising: a measuring device including a first detector configured to perform detection with respect to a measurement point on the substrate in a region being exposed to radiation along with scanning of the substrate and a second detector configured to perform detection with respect to the measurement point along with scanning of the substrate prior to detection by the first detector, and configured to measure a height of the substrate based on each of an output from the first detector and an output from the second detector; and a processor configured to determine, based on measurement obtained by the measuring device based on an output from the first detector along with a scanning exposure of a first shot region to radiation, a first measurement point where the measuring device performs measurement first based on an output from the second detector with respect to a second shot region of which a scanning exposure is performed after the first shot region.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same members throughout the drawings, and a repetitive description thereof will not be given. In the first embodiment, an exposure apparatus which performs scanning exposure on a substrate by slit-shaped light will be explained. However, the present invention can also be applied to an exposure apparatus which performs scanning exposure on the substrate by a charged particle beam.

First Embodiment

An exposure apparatus100of the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the exposure apparatus100of the first embodiment of the present invention. The exposure apparatus100of the first embodiment is a step-and-scan type scanning exposure apparatus which performs scanning exposure on a substrate15by using slit-shaped light. The exposure apparatus100can include an illumination optical system11, a mask stage13, a projection optical system14, a substrate stage16(stage), a measuring unit17, a first position detector18, a second position detector19, and a controller20. The controller20includes a CPU and memory, and controls the whole (the individual units) of the exposure apparatus100. That is, the controller20controls a process of transferring a pattern formed on a mask12onto the substrate15(a process of performing scanning exposure on the substrate15). Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an explanation will be made assuming that the controller20includes a processor20awhich performs a process of determining the measurement start points at the second measurement positions (second measurement portions) in a shot region15aon the substrate. However, the controller20and the processor20amay be formed separately.

The illumination optical system11shapes light emitted from a light source (not shown) such as an excimer laser into band-like or arcuate slit-shaped light elongated in, for example, the X direction by using a light-shielding member such as a masking blade included in the system, and illuminates a portion of the mask12with this slit-shaped light. The mask12and the substrate15are respectively held by the mask stage13and the substrate stage16, and are arranged in optically almost conjugate positions (the object plane and the image plane of the projection optical system14) via the projection optical system14. The projection optical system14has a predetermined projection magnification (for example, ×½ or ×¼), and projects the pattern formed on the mask12onto the substrate by using the slit-shaped light. A region of the substrate15on which the pattern of the mask12is projected (a region to be irradiated with the slit-shaped light) will be referred to as a region21being irradiated with radiation hereinafter. The mask stage13and the substrate stage16are so configured as to be movable in a direction (for example, the Y direction) perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system14(the optical axis of the slit-shaped light), and are relatively scanned in synchronism with each other at a velocity ratio matching the projection magnification of the projection optical system14. This makes it possible to scan the region21being irradiated with radiation on the substrate, and transfer the pattern of the mask12onto the shot region15aon the substrate. This scanning exposure is sequentially repeated on each of the plurality of shot regions15aon the substrate while performing step movement of the substrate stage16, thereby completing an exposure process for one substrate15.

The first position detector18includes, for example, a laser interferometer, and detects the position of the mask stage13. For example, the laser interferometer included in the first position detector18emits a laser beam toward a reflecting plate13aformed on the mask stage13, and detects a displacement from a reference position on the mask stage13by the laser beam reflected by the reflecting plate13a. Accordingly, the first position detector18can acquire the present position of the mask stage13based on the displacement. Also, the second position detector19includes, for example, a laser interferometer, and detects the position of the substrate stage16. For example, the laser interferometer included in the second position detector19emits a laser beam toward a reflecting plate16aformed on the substrate stage16, and detects a displacement from a reference position on the substrate stage16by the laser beam reflected by the reflecting plate16a. Thus, the second position detector19can acquire the present position of the substrate stage16based on the displacement. Then, based on the present positions of the mask stage13and the substrate stage16respectively acquired by the first position detector18and the second position detector19, the controller20controls driving of the mask stage13and the substrate stage16in the XY direction. The first and the second position detectors18and19use laser interferometers when detecting the positions of the mask stage13and the substrate stage16, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use, for example, encoders.

The measuring unit17measures the height of the substrate surface in a state in which the substrate stage16is moving, in order to accord the surface of the substrate15(to be referred to as a substrate surface hereinafter) with the image plane (focus plane) of the projection optical system14. The measuring unit17of the first embodiment is an oblique incidence type measuring unit which obliquely irradiates the substrate15with light, and includes an irradiation system17afor irradiating the substrate15with light, and a light-receiving system17bfor receiving light reflected by the substrate15.

The irradiation system17acan include, for example, a light source70, a collimator lens71, a slit member72, an optical system73, and a mirror74. The light source70is formed by using, for example, a lamp or a light-emitting diode, and emits light having a wavelength to which a resist on the substrate is not sensitive. The collimator lens71collimates the light emitted from the light source70into parallel light having an almost uniform light intensity distribution in the section. The slit member72is formed by a pair of prisms bonded to each other such that their oblique surfaces oppose each other. A light-shielding film such as a chromium film having a plurality of openings (for example, nine pinholes) is formed on a bonding surface72a. The optical system73is a both side telecentric optical system (an optical system telecentric at both of an object side and an image side with respect thereto), and allows nine light beams passing through the plurality of openings in the slit member72to enter the substrate via the mirror74. The optical system73is so configured that the surface72ahaving the openings and a surface including the substrate surface satisfy the Scheimpflug's condition. In this embodiment, the mirror74is formed such that an angle φ at which each light beam emitted from the irradiation system17aenters the substrate15(that is, an angle between the light beam and the optical axis of the projection optical system14) is, for example, 70° or more. Also, as shown inFIG. 2, the irradiation system17ais so configured as to allow the nine light beams to enter the substrate15at an angle θ (for example, 22.5°) with respect to the scanning direction (Y direction) of the slit-shaped light, in the direction (XY direction) parallel to the substrate surface. By thus causing the nine light beams to enter the substrate15, it is possible to individually measure the height of the substrate surface in nine measurement positions30.

The light-receiving system17bcan include, for example, a mirror75, a light-receiving optical system76, a correction optical system77, a photoelectric conversion section78, and a processor79. The mirror75guides the nine light beams reflected by the substrate15to the light-receiving optical system76. The light-receiving optical system76is a both side telecentric operation system (an optical system telecentric at both of an object side and an image side with respect thereto), and includes a stop formed in common to the nine light beams. This stop included in the light-receiving optical system76blocks high-order diffracted light (noise light) generated due to the circuit pattern formed on the substrate. The correction optical system77includes a plurality of (nine) lenses corresponding to the nine light beams, and forms images of the nine light beams on the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section78, thereby forming pinhole images on the light-receiving surface. The photoelectric conversion section78includes a plurality of (nine) photoelectric conversion devices corresponding to the nine light beams. As each photoelectric conversion devices, it is possible to use, for example, a CCD line sensor. The processor79calculates the height of the substrate surface at each measurement position30based on the positional change of each pinhole on the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section78.

By thus configuring the irradiation system17aand light-receiving system17b, the measuring unit17can measure the height of the substrate surface in each measurement position30based on the positional change of each pinhole image on the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section78. Then, the controller20controls driving of the substrate stage16based on the measurement results obtained by the measuring unit17, so that the substrate surface is arranged at the target height (focusing plane (target value)). The light-receiving system17bperforms tilt correction such that each measurement position30on the substrate and the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section78become conjugate with each other. Accordingly, the position of each pinhole image on the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section78does not change due to a local inclination at each measurement position30.

FIG. 3is a view showing the positional relationship between the plurality of measurement positions30in the measuring unit17and the region21being irradiated with radiation to be irradiated with the slit-shaped light. The measuring unit17can include a first detector which performs detection with respect to a measurement point on the substrate inside the region21being irradiated with radiation (within a region being exposed to radiation) along with scanning on the substrate15, and a second detector which performs detection with respect to the measurement point on the substrate along with scanning on the substrate15prior to detection by the first detector. Then, the measuring unit17can measure the height of the substrate15based on the respective outputs from the first detector and the second detector.

FIG. 3is a view showing the positional relationship between the region21being irradiated with radiation and the nine measurement positions30to be formed in the shot region15aon the substrate by the measuring unit17. Referring toFIG. 3, the region21being irradiated with radiation is a rectangular region enclosed within broken lines. Measurement positions30a1to30a3are measurement positions30(first measurement positions) formed inside the region21being irradiated with radiation (within the region being exposed to radiation). At the first measurement positions, the first detector detects the measurement point on the substrate. Also, measurement positions30b1to30b3and30c1to30c3are measurement positions (second measurement positions) formed in positions spaced apart by a distance Lp in the scanning direction (±Y direction) of the slit-shaped light from the measurement positions30a1to30a3formed inside the region21being irradiated with radiation. At the second measurement positions, the second detector detects the measurement point on the substrate. The measurement positions30b1to30b3and30c1to30c3are used to measure the height of the substrate surface prior to measurements at the measurement positions30a1to30a3, and are switched in accordance with the slit-shaped light scanning direction, that is, the moving direction of the substrate stage16.

For example, when performing scanning exposure by moving the substrate stage16in the direction of an arrow F, the heights of a plurality of measurement points of the substrate surface are measured at the measurement positions30b1to30b3prior to measurements at the measurement positions30a1to30a3formed inside the region21being irradiated with radiation. Based on the measurement results at the measurement positions30b1to30b3, the controller20controls Z-direction driving of the substrate stage16so that the plurality of measurement points are arranged at the target height until they reach the region21being irradiated with radiation. On the other hand, when performing scanning exposure by moving the substrate stage16in the direction of an arrow R, the heights of a plurality of measurement points of the substrate surface are measured at the measurement positions30c1to30c3prior to measurements at the measurement positions30a1to30a3. Based on the measurement results at the measurement positions30c1to30c3, the controller20controls Z-direction driving of the substrate stage16so that the plurality of measurement points are arranged at the target height until they reach the region21being irradiated with radiation.

Next, a method of measuring the height of the substrate surface by the measuring unit17while performing scanning exposure will be explained with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5A.FIG. 4is a view showing the positions of the plurality of measurement positions30in a case where scanning exposure is performed in the plurality of shot regions15aformed on the substrate and a scanning path21aof the slit-shaped light (region21being irradiated with radiation).FIG. 4shows an exposed shot region15a1, a shot region15a2to be exposed next to the shot region15a1, and a shot region15a3to be exposed next to the shot region15a2. Exposure of the shot region15a2will be explained below.FIG. 5Ais a view showing the relationship between time and the moving velocity of the substrate stage16in the Y direction when scanning the slit-shaped light along the scanning path21ashown inFIG. 4. InFIG. 5A, black circles (●) indicate the measurement timings at the measurement positions30a1to30a3(first measurement positions), and the measurement timings at the measurement positions30b1to30b3(second measurement positions), respectively. The scanning path21aof the slit-shaped light (region21being irradiated with radiation) is shown inFIG. 4. In practice, however, the movement path (path) of the substrate stage16is determined so that the slit-shaped light is scanned on the substrate along the scanning path21a. The scanning path of the slit-shaped light will be explained below for the descriptive simplicity. However, determining the scanning path of the slit-shaped light is equivalent to determining the movement path of the substrate stage16.

First, after exposure of the shot region15a1is complete, that is, after the region21being irradiated with radiation comes out from shot region15a1, the controller20decelerates the substrate stage16in the −Y direction, stops it, and accelerates it in the +Y direction (the direction of the arrow F). Referring toFIG. 5A, a period from time t1to time t2is equivalent to the period during which the substrate stage16is decelerated, and an interval from time t2to time t3is equivalent to the interval during which the substrate stage16is accelerated. Then, at time t3, the controller20controls driving of the substrate stage16so that the velocity of the substrate stage16in the Y direction reaches the target velocity, and starts measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3. An interval from time t3to time t4is an interval from the time when measurements at measurement positions30b1to30b3start to the time when the region21being irradiated with radiation approaches the shot region15a2. This interval will be referred to as a focus starting period hereinafter. In the focus starting period, the shot region15a2does not undergo scanning exposure by the slit-shaped light, but a plurality of measurement points40arranged in the shot region15a2are measured at the measurement positions30b1to30b3while moving the substrate stage16at a uniform velocity.

Subsequently, the controller20performs scanning exposure to the shot region15a2while driving the substrate stage16at a uniform velocity. InFIG. 5A, this is equivalent to an interval from time t4to time t5. Based on the heights of measurement points40on the shot region15a2measured at the measurement positions30b1to30b3, the controller20controls driving of the substrate stage16such that the substrate surface in the region21being irradiated with radiation is arranged at the target height. For example, as shown inFIG. 6, when the measurement positions30b1to30b3are arranged in measurement points40a1to40a3on the shot region15a2, the controller20causes the measuring unit17to measure the heights of the measurement points40a1to40a3at the measurement positions30b1to30b3. Based on the measurement results at the measurement points40a1to40a3, the controller20determines a command value for driving the substrate stage16so that the measurement points40a1to40a3are arranged at the target height. Then, the controller20drives the substrate stage16in accordance with the determined command value before the measurement points40a1to40a3are arranged in the region21being irradiated with radiation. Also, when the measurement positions30b1to30b3are arranged at measurement points40b1to40b3on the shot region15a2, the controller20causes the measuring unit17to measure the heights of the measurement points40b1to40b3at the measurement positions30b1to30b3. Based on the measurement results at the measurement points40b1to40b3, the controller20determines a command value for driving the substrate stage16so that the measurement points40b1to40b3are arranged at the target height. Then, the controller20drives the substrate stage16in accordance with the determined command value before the measurement points40b1to40b3are arranged in the region21being irradiated with radiation.

In the exposure apparatus, in general, a period (focus starting period) from the start of focus measurement prior to slit-shaped light irradiation to the start of scanning exposure may be reduced to increase a throughput. That is, the interval from time t3to time t4inFIG. 5Amay be reduced (changed). To achieve this, the processor20adetermines measurement start points (first measurement points) at the second measurement positions in the second shot region as targets of scanning exposure based on measurement results at the first measurement positions in the first shot region where scanning exposure has been performed earlier than to the second shot region. The measurement start points (first measurement points) at the second measurement positions are points where measurements at the second measurement positions are performed first. The first measurement positions are, as described above, the measurement positions30in the measuring unit17arranged to perform measurement in the region21being irradiated with radiation which is irradiated with the slit-shaped light, and correspond to the measurement positions30a1to30a3in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the second measurement positions are, as described above, the measurement positions30where measurement of the height of the substrate surface is performed before the first measurement positions, and correspond to the measurement positions30b1to30b3or the measurement positions30C1to30C3in the first embodiment. The processor20amay preset a plurality of measurement points for the respective shot regions on the substrate and determine, out of the plurality of measurement points, the first measurement point for each shot region. Also, the processor20amay apply the first measurement point determined in one shot region out of a plurality of shot regions to another shot region.

In an example shown inFIG. 4, measurement start points at the measurement positions30b1to30b3in the shot region15a2serving as the second shot region are determined based on the measurement results at the measurement positions30a1to30a3in the shot region15a1serving as the first shot region. The first shot region is not limited to the shot region15a1where scanning exposure has been performed immediately before scanning exposure to the shot region15a2serving as the second shot region. The first shot region can be, for example, the shot region15awhere scanning exposure has been performed before scanning exposure to the second shot region. Furthermore, the first shot region and the second shot region may be formed on the same substrate15or the different substrates15. When the first shot region and the second shot region are formed in the different substrates15, the first shot region and the second shot region may be formed at identical positions on the different substrates.

A method of determining, by the processor20a, the measurement start points at the second measurement positions (measurement positions30b1to30b3) in the second shot region (the shot region15a2inFIG. 4) will be explained below with reference toFIG. 7.FIG. 7is a flowchart showing the method of determining the measurement start points at the second measurement positions in the second shot region. In step S101, the processor20aacquires a measurement result obtained by measuring the plurality of measurement points40provided in the first shot region at the first measurement positions (measurement positions30a1to30a3). In step S102, the processor20acalculates the error (difference) between the acquired measurement result and the target height (focus position). In step S103, the processor20aspecifies the measurement points40in the first shot region where the error calculated in step S102falls within an allowable range. In step S104, the processor20adetermines the measurement start points (first measurement points) at the second measurement positions in the second shot region so as to omit measurements at the second measurement positions of the measurement points40in the second shot region corresponding to the specified measurement points40in the first shot region. This allows the processor20ato determine a movement path (second movement path) for performing step movement of the substrate stage16before starting scanning exposure to the second shot region to be shorter than the first movement path. In other words, the processor20acan determine the movement path (second movement path) related to the step movement of the substrate stage16between scanning exposure for the first shot region and that for the second shot region. That is, it is possible to shorten the scanning path21aof the slit-shaped light when performing step movement of the substrate stage16. The first movement path is defined as a movement path where the substrate stage16has undergone step movement before starting scanning exposure to the first shot region.

InFIG. 4, assume a case in which, for example, the error between the target height and a measurement result obtained by measuring the measurement points40c1to40c3in the shot region15a1serving as the first shot region at the measurement positions30a1to30a3(first measurement positions) falls within an allowable range. In this case, the processor20adetermines so as to omit measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3of the measurement points40a1to40a3in the shot region15a2(second shot region) corresponding to the measurement points40c1to40c3in the shot region15a1. That is, the processor20adetermines measurement start points at the measurement positions30b1to30b3in the shot region15a2as the measurement points40b1to40b3. This allows the processor20ato determine the movement path for performing step movement of the substrate stage16before starting scanning exposure to the shot region15a2to shorten the focus starting period (the interval between time t3and time t4). That is, the processor20acan determine the movement path for performing step movement of the substrate stage16to be shorter than that in a case (FIG. 5A) in which the measurement start points at the measurement positions30b1to30b3are set to the measurement points40a1to40a3.FIG. 5Bis a view showing the relationship between time and the moving velocity of the substrate stage16when starting measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3from the measurement points40b1to40b3. InFIG. 5B, black circles (●) indicate the measurement timings at the measurement positions30a1to30a3(first measurement positions), and the measurement timings at the measurement positions30b1to30b3(second measurement positions), respectively. The movement path of the substrate stage16may be determined for each shot region15aor for each exposure recipe.

The substrate stage16undergoes step movement in accordance with thus determined movement path. When the slit-shaped light approaches the shot region15a2(time t4), scanning exposure to the shot region15a2starts. At this time, the height of the substrate15when performing scanning exposure in the measurement points40in the shot region15a2where measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3are omitted is controlled based on the measurement results at the measurement positions30a1to30a3of the measurement points40in the shot region15a1. This makes it possible to control the substrate stage16so that the height of the substrate15when starting scanning exposure to the shot region15a2comes close to the target height. In the explanation above, the measurement points40in the shot region15a2where measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3are omitted include, out of the plurality of measurement points40provided in the shot region15a2, the measurement point40closest to the end portion of the shot region15a2where scanning exposure starts. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the example of only omitting the measurement points40a1to40a3in the shot region15a2has been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3can be omitted as long as the measurement points40are provided within a range from the end portion by the distance Lp. For example, when the measurement points40b1to40b3are provided within the range, measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3can also be omitted in the measurement points40b1to40b3, in addition to the measurement points40a1to40a3in the shot region15a2.

While performing scanning exposure to the shot region15a2, measurements at the measurement positions30a1to30a3are performed in the region21being irradiated with radiation. Then, based on the measurement results at the measurement positions30a1to30a3in the shot region15a2, measurement start points at the measurement positions30b1to30b3in the shot region15a3where scanning exposure will be performed next to the shot region15a2are determined. Assume a case in which, for example, the error between the target height and the measurement results at the measurement positions30a1to30a3of the measurement points40a1to40a3in the shot region15a2falls within the allowable range. In this case, the measurement start points at the measurement positions30b1to30b3in the shot region15a3are determined so as to omit measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3of the measurement points40in the shot region15a3corresponding to the measurement points40a1to40a3. On the other hand, assume a case in which the error between the target height and the measurement results at the measurement positions30a1to30a3of the measurement points40a1to40a3in the shot region15a2falls outside the allowable range. In this case, the measurement start points at the measurement positions30b1to30b3in the shot region15a3are determined so as to perform measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3of the measurement points40in the shot region15a3corresponding to the measurement points40a1to40a3.

As described above, the exposure apparatus100of the first embodiment determines the measurement start points at the second measurement positions in the second shot region based on the measurement results at the first measurement positions in the first shot region where scanning exposure has been performed earlier than to the second shot region as the targets of scanning exposure. This allows the exposure apparatus100to determine the movement path on which the substrate stage has undergone step movement before starting scanning exposure to the first shot region to shorten the focus starting period. Thus, it is possible to increase the throughput.

In the first embodiment, the example of moving the substrate stage16at the uniform velocity when measuring the measurement points in the shot region15aat the measurement positions30b1to30b3has been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, the measurement points40a1to40a3in the shot region15a2where it has been determined so as to omit measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3may be measured, instead of omitting measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3while accelerating the substrate stage16.FIG. 8is a view showing the relationship between time and the moving velocity of the substrate stage16when performing measurements at the measurement positions30b1to30b3of the measurement points40a1to40a3while accelerating the substrate stage16. When applying the present invention to this case, the exposure apparatus100may be measure, in advance, the deformations of the substrate stage16, the measuring unit17, and the like that may occur during acceleration of the substrate stage16, and correct the measurement results at the first measurement positions and the second measurement positions to reduce influences caused by these deformations.

Also, in the first embodiment, only the measurement results at the first measurement positions in the first shot region where scanning exposure had been performed earlier than to the second shot region has been used when determining the measurement start points at the second measurement positions in the second shot region. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the measurement results (for example, their average value) at the first measurement positions in the plurality of shot regions where scanning exposure has been performed earlier than to the second shot region may be used. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the measurement results at the first measurement positions in the first shot region accompanying scanning exposure to the first shot region has been used when determining the measurement start points at the second measurement positions in the second shot region. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the measurement results, for example, other measurement results at the first measurement positions obtained when performing control corresponding to the control of the height of the substrate in scanning exposure to the second shot region without exposure but with scanning in the shot region may be used. That is, the measurement start points at the second positions in the second shot region may be determined from a result obtained by performing the focus control in the second shot region at the first measurement positions without exposure.

Second Embodiment

An exposure apparatus200of the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. The exposure apparatus of the second embodiment can include, as shown inFIG. 9, a plurality of exposure units200aeach of which exposes a substrate15, and a controller200b(for example, a host computer) which controls each exposure unit200a. The controller200bhas a role of managing the operation state of each exposure unit200aand a parameter such as an offset, and determines measurement start points and timings at second measurement positions in each shot region15aon the substrate15where exposure is performed in each exposure unit200a.

<Embodiment of Method of Manufacturing Article>

A method of manufacturing an article according to an embodiment of the present invention is suitable for manufacturing a microdevice such as a semiconductor device, and an article such as an element having a microstructure. The method of manufacturing the article according to the embodiment includes a step of forming a latent image pattern on a photosensitive agent applied to a substrate by using the aforementioned exposure apparatus (step of exposing a substrate), and a step of developing the substrate on which the latent image pattern has been formed in the preceding step. Further, the manufacturing method includes other well-known steps (for example, oxidization, deposition, vapor deposition, doping, planarization, etching, resist removal, dicing, bonding, and packaging). The method of manufacturing the article according to the embodiment is superior to a conventional method in at least one of the performance, the quality, the productivity, and the production cost of the article.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-019768 filed on Feb. 4, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.