Stage unit and exposure apparatus

When a stage on which a wafer is mounted is driven in an X-axis direction by a liner motor, a reaction force of the drive force is generated at a stator and acts on a counterweight via the stator, and thereby the counterweight moves in a direction opposite to the stage in accordance with movement of the stage in the X-axis direction. Accordingly, the reaction force generated by the drive of the stage can substantially be canceled by the movement of the counterweight. Further, since the counterweight has a first section that is connected to the stator, and a second section that is separated from the first section in the X-axis direction and connected to the first section via a connection section, a partition wall of a chamber can be placed using the connected portion as a boundary, and the second section of the counterweight can be located outside the partition wall. Thus, a stage housing space can be set to smaller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to stage units and exposure apparatuses, and more particularly to a stage unit that is suitable as a stage that sets the position of a specimen of an exposure apparatus or other precision instruments, and to an exposure apparatus that is equipped with the stage unit.

2. Description of the Background Art

Conventionally, in a lithography process for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display device or the like, exposure apparatuses such as a reduction projection exposure apparatus by a step-and-repeat method (the so-called ‘stepper’) that transfers a pattern formed on a mask or a reticle (hereinafter generally referred to as a ‘reticle’) onto a substrate such as a wafer or a glass plate (hereinafter also referred to as a wafer as needed) that is coated with a resist or the like, or a scanning exposure apparatus by a step-and-scan method (a scanner) are mainly used.

In these types of exposure apparatuses, due to higher integration of semiconductor devices and finer pattern accompanying therewith, further improvement in resolution of a projection optical system has been required. Therefore, a wavelength of an exposure light has been shortened year by year and an exposure apparatus using an ArF excimer laser beam has also been in practical use. The resolution and a device rule required for an exposure apparatus become further stricter in the future without fail, which recently leads to the situation where an EUV exposure apparatus (EUVL) that uses an SOR (Synchrotron Orbital Radiation) ring, a laser plasma light source, or the like that emits an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light having a wavelength equal to or less than 100 nm as an exposure light source draws the attention. Meanwhile, conventionally, when a fine pattern, for example, an original circuit pattern is drawn on a reticle blank, an electron beam exposure apparatus has been relatively frequently used.

In the stepper, the scanner or the like, a wafer stage is driven in XY two-dimensional directions by, for example, a drive unit including a linear motor or the like, in order to transfer a reticle pattern on a plurality of shot areas on a wafer. In particular, in the scanner, in order for a reticle stage and a wafer stage to perform acceleration, constant speed and deceleration respectively upon exposure, the vibration caused by a reaction force generated at a linear motor stator due to the acceleration/deceleration adversely affects the apparatus, in particular, an optical system, which causes the decrease in exposure accuracy. Therefore, any reaction force processing mechanism is indispensable. However, since the reticle stage only has to be movable back and forth only in a scanning direction, the reaction force and the vibration in the drive direction are easily processed on one axis, and a counter mass reaction processing mechanism using the law of conservation of momentum that is used most in general for mass production exposure apparatuses can be easily applied to (e.g. refer to Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication) No. 08-063231 and the U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,204). On the contrary, since the wafer stage moves in the X-axis and Y-axis directions in a long stroke as described above, the reaction processing cannot be performed easily, and in order to realize the reaction processing, in some cases, a stage structure needs to be devised.

In the recent ultraviolet exposure apparatus (irrespective of whether an immersion type or not), since a degree of cleanliness of a main section in which exposure is performed needs to be maintained at a very high level, for example, at nearly Class 1, for example, in the case of ArF excimer laser exposure apparatus or the like, a main section of the exposure apparatus is covered by a chamber that is called as an environmental chamber and the inside of the chamber is isolated from the outside so that a clean state is maintained. Further, since an EUV light is absorbed by almost all substances, an optical path space of an EUV light needs to be set to a predetermined high vacuum state, and in a normal EUV exposure apparatus, an optical path of an exposure light as a matter of course, and a movement space of a wafer stage that moves while holding a wafer need to be set to a vacuum state. Therefore, the wafer stage is placed in a vacuum chamber. Besides, in an electron beam exposure apparatus, a wafer stage needs to be placed in a vacuum chamber in order to deflect a beam to a desired direction.

Thus, in a present-day exposure apparatus, regardless of the types, a wafer stage is placed in a chamber, and therefore, in the case a conventional counter mass mechanism is employed, a counter mass (hereinafter referred to as a ‘counterweight’) that moves a distance in a direction opposite to a drive direction of the stage in accordance with a drive distance of the stage needs to be placed within the chamber. In this case, in order to shorten a movement stroke of the counterweight, a heavy weight and large size counterweight needs to be housed within the chamber and the inner volume of the chamber has to be increased. On the other hand, when decreasing the size and weight of the counterweight, a movement distance of the counterweight becomes longer when receiving a reaction force at the time of driving the wafer stage, and as a consequence, the inner volume of the chamber in which the counterweight is housed has to be increased. In either case, the chamber tends to be larger in size.

For example, in an ArF excimer laser exposure apparatus or the like, the increase in size of the chamber leads to the increase in size of an air supply fan, a cooler, a heater, an air filter and the like that constitute an air-conditioner, and to the increase in power consumption, and for example, in an EUV exposure apparatus and an electron beam exposure apparatus, leads to the increase in size of a vacuum pump and other vacuum-related instruments and the increase in power consumption.

Also in an apparatus other than an exposure apparatus, the similar inconvenience occurs as far as the apparatus houses a stage inside a chamber or a space partitioned by a partition wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the situation described above, and according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first stage unit, comprising: a first stage that has a mount section on which an object is mounted; a first drive mechanism that has a first mover that is connected to the first stage and a first stator that works with the first mover, and drives the first stage in a first axis direction; and a first counterweight that has a first section that is connected to the first stator, a second section that is arranged along the first axis direction separately from the first section and a connection section that connects the first section and the second section, and moves in a direction opposite to the first stage in accordance with movement of the first stage in the first axis direction.

With this stage unit, since the first counterweight is divided into the first section and the second section that is connected to the first section via the connection section, a degree of freedom in design and a degree of freedom in arrangement of the first counterweight improve.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second stage unit, comprising: a stage that has a mount section on which an object is mounted; a drive mechanism that has a coil and a magnet, and drives the stage in one axis direction; and a counterweight where at least one of an electric current supply section that supplies electric current to the coil and a fluid supply section that supplies a fluid to the coil is formed, and that moves in a direction opposite to the stage in accordance with movement of the stage in the one axis direction.

With this stage unit, at least one of electric current and a fluid can be supplied to the coil via the supply section of the counterweight.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate with an energy beam in order to form a pattern on the substrate, the apparatus comprising: any one of the first and second stage units of the present invention, on the mount section of which the substrate is mounted as the object.

With this apparatus, a substrate is mounted on the mount section of each stage unit, the substrate is exposed by an energy beam and a pattern is formed, and therefore, exposure can be performed in a state where the effect of vibration caused by a reaction force at the time of driving the stage is reduced, which makes it possible to improve exposure accuracy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a third stage unit, comprising: a stage that has a mount section on which an object is mounted; a drive mechanism that has a mover that is connected to the stage and a stator that works with the mover, and drives the stage in one axis direction; and a counterweight that has a first section that is connected to the stator and a second section that is placed in a second space that is different from a first space in which the first section is placed, and moves in a direction opposite to the stage in accordance with movement of the stage in the one axis direction.

With this stage unit, since the counterweight is divided into the first section placed in the first space and the second section placed in the second space that is different from the first space, a degree of freedom in design and a degree of freedom in arrangement of the counterweight improve, and in addition, the inner volume of the first space can be set smaller compared to the case when the entire counterweight is placed in one space.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fourth stage unit, comprising: a stage that has a mount section on which an object is mounted; a drive mechanism that has a mover that is connected to the stage and a stator that works with the mover, and drives the stage in one axis direction; and a counterweight that has a first section that is connected to the stator and moves in a direction opposite to the stage in accordance with movement of the stage in the one axis direction, a second section that is supported movable synchronously with the first section and a connection section that connects the first section and the second section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows based onFIGS. 1 to 8.

FIG. 1schematically shows the entire configuration of an exposure apparatus10related to an embodiment. InFIG. 1, a sectional view of a part of exposure apparatus10, more specifically, a sectional view of a projection unit PU and a wafer stage chamber45is shown in order to show an internal configuration.

In exposure apparatus10, since projection unit PU, which has a projection optical system inside that projects a reflected beam from reticle R perpendicularly on a wafer W, is employed, in the following description, a projection direction of an illumination light from the projection optical system to wafer W is called as an optical axis direction of the projecting optical system, and also the description will be made assuming that the optical axis direction is a Z-axis direction, a horizontal direction in the page surface ofFIG. 1that is orthogonal to the optical axis direction within a plane is an X-axis direction, and a direction orthogonal to the page surface is a Y-axis direction.

By relatively scanning reticle R and wafer W in a one-dimensional direction (the X-axis direction) with respect to projection unit PU while projecting an image of a part of a circuit pattern formed on a reticle R (hereinafter shortly referred to as a ‘reticle pattern’) on wafer W via the projection optical system within projection unit PU, exposure apparatus10transfers the reticle pattern on each of a plurality of shot areas on wafer W in a step-and-scan method.

Exposure apparatus10is equipped with an illumination unit10A that illuminates reticle R with an illumination light (EUV light) EL, and an exposure apparatus main section10B a part of which is connected to illumination unit10A.

InFIG. 1, Illumination unit10A is shown simply as a block for the sake of convenience, however, in actual, illumination unit10A is equipped with an illumination system that is constituted by an exposure light source (not shown) that is made up of an SOR (Synchrotron Orbital Radiation) ring emitting an illumination light (EUV light) EL in a soft X ray range, for example, an illumination light (EUV light) EL having a wavelength of 11 nm and an illumination optical system (not shown), a beam line (not shown) that connects them, and the like; and an illumination system chamber40that houses the illumination system.

Illumination system chamber40is placed on an illumination system holding frame56that is configured of a plurality of support members53arranged on a floor surface F and a support platform50that is horizontally supported by support members53. Illumination chamber40is structured highly air-tight so that a high vacuum state of a space divided by illumination system chamber40and support platform50, and the like can be maintained.

The illumination optical system is configured including, for example, a mirror system, a fly eye mirror, a mirror unit (e.g. a reflection mirror made up of a plurality of toroidal aspheric oblique incidence mirrors) and the like. Of components of the illumination optical system, the mirror unit constitutes an emitting end of the illumination system, and a part of the mirror unit is in a state of protruding from an opening of illumination system chamber40that covers a predetermined space above support members53. The illumination optical system makes illumination light EL emitted from the light source be sequentially reflected and be finally incident on a pattern surface (a lower surface (a surface on a −Z side) inFIG. 1) of reticle R at a predetermined incident angle, for example, around 50 [mrad].

As is shown inFIG. 1, exposure apparatus main section10B is equipped with a reticle stage unit12that includes a reticle stage RST that holds reticle R, a reticle stage chamber that houses reticle stage RST, a drive system thereof and the like, and the like; projection unit PU that includes a projection optical system that projects illumination light EL reflected off a pattern surface of reticle R to a surface to be exposed of wafer W, a wafer stage WST on which wafer W is mounted, a first column31that holds projection unit PU, a second column37that supports reticle stage unit12on a barrel platform (main frame)35that constitutes first column31, a wafer stage chamber45that houses wafer stage WST and the like, and the like.

Reticle stage unit12is equipped with a reticle stage chamber RC, reticle stage RST that is housed inside reticle stage chamber RC, a reticle stage drive system11(not shown inFIG. 1, refer toFIG. 8) that drives reticle stage RTS in the X-axis direction serving as a scanning direction and finely drives reticle stage RST within an XY plane (including θz rotation), and the like.

Reticle stage chamber RC is configured of a lower side plate19that constitutes a top board of second column37, a sidewall member21having a rectangular frame shape in a planar view (when viewed from above) that is fixed to the upper surface of lower side plate19, an upper side plate16that is fixed to the upper surface of sidewall member21. In the embodiment, lower side plate19serves as both a component of reticle stage chamber RC and a component of second column37.

In a center portion of lower side plate19, an opening19ais formed, and a circumference portion of opening19aof the lower surface of lower side plate19and the upper end surface of projection unit PU are connected by a bellows13, which prevents outside air from entering an inner space of reticle stage chamber RC and an inner space of projection unit PU (more precisely, barrel14).

As reticle R, a reflective type reticle is used so as to correspond to illumination light EL that is an EUV light having a wavelength of 11 nm. Reticle R is held on reticle stage RST in a state where the pattern surface is a lower surface. Reticle R is made up of a thin plate such as silicon wafer, quartz or a low-expansion glass, and a reflective film that reflects the EUV light is formed on a surface (the pattern surface) in a −Z side. The reflective film is a multilayer film that is formed by a film of molybdenum (Mo) and a film of beryllium (Be) that are alternately overlaid in around 5.5 nm period in about 50 pairs. The multilayer film has a reflectivity of around 70% with respect to the EUV light having a wavelength of 11 nm.

On the multilayer film formed on the pattern surface of reticle R, as an absorber layer, for example, nickel (Ni) or aluminum (Al) is coated on the entire surface, and patterning is performed to the absorber layer and a circuit pattern is formed.

Illumination light (EUV light) EL that is incident on a portion of reticle R where the absorber layer remains is absorbed by the absorber layer, and illumination light EL that is incident on a portion where the absorber layer comes away (a portion where the absorber layer is removed) is reflected by the reflective film, and as a consequence, illumination light EL containing information on the circuit pattern propagates toward projection unit PU as the reflected light from the pattern surface of reticle R.

The position of reticle stage RST within the XY plane is detected by a reticle laser interferometer (hereinafter referred to as a ‘reticle interferometer’)82R that is placed outside reticle stage chamber RC and is fixed to lower side plate19, via a window section (not shown) arranged at sidewall member21. The window section is arranged in actual on a −X side surface and a +Y side surface of sidewall member21respectively, and as the reticle interferometer, a reticle X interferometer and a reticle Y interferometer are arranged corresponding to these window sections. However, inFIG. 1, these interferometers are representatively shown by reticle interferometer82R. Measurement values of reticle interferometer82R are supplied to a main controller20(not shown inFIG. 1, refer toFIG. 8), and reticle stage drive system11is controlled by main controller20and accordingly the position of reticle stage RST (reticle R) is controlled.

In exposure apparatus10of the embodiment, as a mechanism used to cancel a reaction force accompanying the drive of reticle stage RST, a reaction force chancel mechanism that uses the law of conservation of momentum as is disclosed in, for example, Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication) No. 08-063231 and the corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,204 and the like is employed, though the mechanism is not shown in the drawings. As long as the national laws in designated states (or elected states), on which this international application is applied, permit, the above disclosures of the publication and the U.S. Patent are incorporated herein by reference.

Second column37includes a plurality of (e.g. three or four) column supports39that are arranged on the upper surface of first column31and lower side plate19that is supported by the plurality of column supports39and constitutes a top board of second column37.

First column31includes a plurality of (e.g. three or four) support member23that are arranged on the upper surface of a base plate BP horizontally placed on floor surface F, a plurality of vibration isolation units25each one of which is arranged on an upper portion of each support member23, barrel platform35that is supported substantially horizontal by support members23and vibration isolation units25on floor surface F.

Each of isolation vibration units25includes an air mount whose inner pressure is adjustable and a voice coil motor that are placed in series (or in parallel) on an upper portion of support member23. By the air mount of each vibration isolation unit25, a fine vibration from floor surface F that transmits to barrel platform35via floor surface F, base plate BP and support member23is isolated.

Barrel platform35is made of cast metal and the like, and has a first opening35athat is formed in a center portion of barrel platform35and has a circular shape in a planar view (when viewed from above), and a second opening (not shown) that is formed spaced apart a predetermined distance from first opening35ain the −X direction.

Inside first opening35aof barrel platform35, projection unit PU described earlier is inserted from above, and a flange section FLG of projection unit PU is supported at three points from below by three vibration isolation units (only one vibration isolation unit is shown inFIG. 1)29arranged on barrel platform35. As each vibration isolation unit29, a vibration isolation unit having a configuration similar to vibration isolation unit25is used.

Inside the second opening of barrel platform35, an alignment detection system ALG (not shown inFIG. 1, refer toFIG. 8) is inserted from above, and is fixed to barrel platform35via a flange that is arranged on the circumference portion. As alignment detection system ALG, various sensors/microscopes can be used such as an alignment sensor by an FIA (Field Image Alignment) method that irradiates a broadband beam to an alignment mark on wafer W (or an aerial image measurement instrument FM, which will be described later) and performs mark detection by photodetecting the reflected beam and performing image processing; an alignment sensor by an LIA (Laser Interferometric Alignment) method that irradiates a laser beam from two directions to an alignment mark having an diffraction grating structure on wafer W and makes two diffracted beams interfere and then detects position information of the alignment mark from the phase; an alignment sensor by an LSA (Laser Step Alignment) method that irradiates a laser beam to an alignment mark on wafer W and measures a mark position by using intensity of the diffracted/scattered beam, and scanning probe microscope such as an AFM (Atomic Force Microscope).

Projection unit PU is equipped with a barrel14and a projection optical system that is made up of four mirrors (reflective optical element) in total, which are a second mirror M2, a fourth mirror M4, a third mirror M3and a first mirror M1that are sequentially placed from the top to the bottom in a predetermined positional relation inside barrel14as is shown inFIG. 1. In the projection optical system, the numerical aperture (N.A.) is set to, for example, 0.1, and the projection magnification is set to ¼. Further, an opening is formed in fourth mirror M4as is shown inFIG. 1.

Further, as can be seen fromFIG. 1, an opening59ais formed in a sidewall of barrel14on a −X side, and one reflective mirror Mc that constitutes the mirror unit described earlier is inserted into barrel14through opening59a.Moreover, in an upper wall (a ceiling wall) and a bottom wall of barrel14, openings59band59cthat serve as paths of illumination light EL are formed respectively.

Further, between barrel14and illumination system chamber40, a freely extendable/contractible bellows47that connects barrel14and illumination system chamber40is arranged in the periphery portion of opening59aand of an opening on a side of illumination system chamber40that faces opening59a.Bellows47insulates an inner space of barrel14and an inner space of illumination system chamber40in a substantially airtight state from the outside, and suppresses transmission of the vibration between barrel14and illumination system chamber40.

With projection unit PU configured as described above, as is shown inFIG. 1, illumination light EL described earlier reaches a reflection surface of reflective mirror Mc and after being reflected off the reflection surface and condensed, illumination light EL is incident on a pattern surface (a lower surface) of reticle R at a predetermined incident angle, for example, 50 (mrad) via opening59bof barrel14. With this operation, the pattern surface of reticle R is illuminated by illumination light EL having a circular arc slit shape.

Then, illumination light EL that is reflected off the pattern surface of reticle R and includes information on a reticle pattern is incident inside barrel14via opening59band reaches first mirror M1. Illumination light EL reflected off a reflection surface of first mirror M1is incident on a reflection surface of second mirror M2via the opening of fourth mirror M4, and then is reflected off the reflection surface of second mirror M2and incident on a reflection surface of mirror M3via the opening of fourth mirror M4. Illumination light EL reflected off the reflection surface of third mirror M3is reflected off a reflection surface of mirror M4and the direction of a principal ray is deflected into a vertical downward direction. Then, illumination light EL is projected on wafer W. With this operation, a reduced image of the reticle pattern is formed on wafer W.

Moreover, a wafer focus sensor (112a,112b) is integrally attached to barrel14of projection unit PU via a holding section (not shown). As the wafer focus sensor (112a,112b), a multipoint focal position detection system by an oblique incident method is used that is equipped with an irradiation system112athat irradiates a plurality of beams to a surface to be detected (a surface of wafer W) from a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an optical axis of the projection optical system and a photodetection system112bthat has a plurality of photodetection elements that severally receive a reflected beam of each of the plurality of beams from the surface to be detected. The wafer focus sensor (112a,112b) measures a position in the Z-axis direction and an inclination amount of the surface of wafer W using barrel14of projection unit PU as a datum. The details of a multipoint focal position detection system having a configuration similar to the wafer focus sensor (112a,112b) are disclosed in, for example, Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication) No. 06-283403 and the corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,332 and the like. As long as the national laws in designated states (or elected states), on which this international application is applied, permit, the above disclosures of the publication and the U.S. Patent are incorporated herein by reference.

Wafer stage WST described earlier is equipped with an XY moving section22that is driven in a predetermined stroke (the stroke is, for example, 300 to 400 mm) in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction along the upper surface of wafer stage base33by a wafer drive system27(not shown inFIG. 1, refer toFIG. 8) including an actuator such as a liner motor and also driven in a θz direction (a rotation direction around the Z-axis) by a very small amount, and a wafer table WTB that is placed above XY moving section22and driven in an inclination direction by a very small amount with respect to the XY plane by wafer drive system27.

On the upper surface of wafer table WTB, a wafer holder (not shown) by an electrostatic chuck method is mounted and wafer W is held on the wafer holder by suction. The position of wafer table WTB is constantly detected by a wafer laser interferometer (hereinafter referred to as a ‘wafer interferometer’)82W, which is placed outside, via a movable mirror17at a resolution of, for example, around 0.5 to 1 nm. Incidentally, in actual, as is shown inFIG. 2, on the upper surface of wafer table WTB, an X movable mirror17X that has a reflection surface orthogonal to the X-axis direction is arranged extending in the Y-axis direction and a Y movable mirror17Y that has a reflection surface orthogonal to the Y-axis direction is arranged extending in the X-axis direction, and as the wafer interferometer, an X interferometer and a Y interferometer are also arranged respectively corresponding to the movable mirrors. However, inFIG. 1, they are representatively shown as movable mirror17and wafer interferometer82W respectively. The X interferometer and the Y interferometer are configured of a multi-axis interferometer having a plurality of measurement axes, and can measure rotation (yawing (θz rotation being a rotation around the Z-axis), pitching (θy rotation being a rotation around the Y-axis), and rolling (θx rotation being a rotation around the X-axis), besides the X and Y positions of wafer table WTB.

Measurement values of wafer interferometer82W and the wafer focus sensor (112a,112b) are supplied to main controller20(refer toFIG. 8), and the position and the attitude of wafer table WTB in six-dimensional directions is controlled by main controller20controlling wafer drive system27.

On one end portion of the upper surface of wafer table WTB, as is shown inFIG. 1, aerial image measurement instrument FM is arranged for performing measurement of a relative positional relation between a position where a pattern formed on reticle R is projected on a surface of wafer W and alignment detection system ALG described earlier (the so-called baseline measurement) and the like. Aerial image measurement instrument FM corresponds to a fiducial mark plate in a conventional DUV exposure apparatus.

Wafer stage chamber45described above has an substantially box-like shape whose upper surface is opened, and is fixed to the lower surface of barrel platform35and also placed on base plate BP. Wafer stage chamber45is configured so that a high vacuum state in a closed space (a wafer room) that is partitioned by wafer stage chamber45and barrel platform35can be maintained. As is obvious from the description so far, in the embodiment, an airtight space is formed that communicates the respective inside of reticle stage chamber RC, bellows13, barrel14of projection unit PU, bellows47, illumination system chamber40and wafer stage chamber45with each other. In this case, as an example, a high vacuum state of around 10−4[Pa] is to be maintained within the airtight space.

Next, the configuration of wafer drive system27and the like will be described based onFIGS. 2 to 6and8.

FIG. 2shows wafer stage WST and the respective components of wafer drive system27together with a part of wafer stage chamber45in a perspective view. As is shown inFIG. 2, wafer drive system27is equipped with an X-direction drive mechanism27X and a Y-direction drive mechanism27Y that drive wafer stage WST in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction respectively along wafer stage base33placed on the inner bottom surface of wafer stage chamber45, and the like. Besides, wafer drive system27is also equipped with Z/tilt drive mechanism (not shown inFIG. 2, refer toFIG. 8) that drives wafer table WTB in directions of three degrees of freedom, i.e. the Z, θx and θy directions with respect to XY moving section22that constitutes a part of wafer stage WST.

As is shown inFIG. 2and a perspective view inFIG. 3that shows X-direction drive mechanism27X in particular, X-direction drive mechanism27X is equipped with: a pair of X-axis guides24A and24B that are arranged extending in the X-axis direction in the vicinity of an end portion on one side and the other side of the Y-axis direction on the upper surface of stage base33respectively, and one end and the other end of which in a longitudinal direction are supported by support member22respectively; a pair of X-axis sliders26A and26B that are attached to the circumference of X-axis guides24A and24B respectively; a pair of X-axis linear motors XM1and XM2and a pair of X-axis linear motors XM3and XM4that drive X-axis sliders26A and26B along X-axis guides24A and24B respectively; a Y guide28that has a pair of X-axis sliders26A and26B fixed to one end and the other end of its longitudinal direction and that extends in the Y-axis direction; a pair of X-axis counterweights44A and44B that move in a direction opposite to X-axis slider26A and26B by respectively receiving a reaction force generated at the time of driving X-axis sliders26A and26B by X-axis linear motors XM1, XM2, XM3and XM4; and a pair of X-axis trim motors XTM1and XTM2that adjust the positions of X-axis counterweights44A and44B by driving X-axis counterweights44A and44B in the X-axis direction respectively.

To Y guide28, a Y slider46whose XZ cross section has a rectangular frame shape is attached slidably.

X-axis sliders26A and26B are formed by a member whose YZ cross section has a rectangular frame shape respectively, and is respectively attached in a state of enclosing four surfaces, i.e. the left, right, top and bottom surfaces of each of X-axis guides24A and24B that are made up of a rod member having a rectangular cross section. In this case, X-axis sliders26A and26B are respectively supported in a noncontact manner via a predetermined clearance (e.g. a clearance of about several μm) with respect to X-axis guides24A and24B via a non-contact bearing, for example, a differential evacuation type air bearing that is severally arranged on four inner surfaces, i.e. the left, right, top and bottom inner surfaces of each of X-axis sliders26A and26B.

X-axis counterweight44A is placed on a −Y side of X-axis guide24A and X-axis counterweight44B is placed on a +Y side of X-axis guide24B. Each of X-axis counterweights44A and44B has the following three sections respectively: a first weight section52that is made up of an oblong frame shaped member extending in the Y-axis direction that is supported by levitation via a predetermined clearance (e.g. a clearance of about several μm) above the upper surface of stage base33via a noncontact bearing, for example, differential evacuation type air bearing arranged on the bottom surface of first weight section52; a second weight section54that is placed a predetermined distance apart from first weight section52on a +X side; and a rod section55that interconnects first weight52and second weight54and has its longitudinal direction in the X-axis direction. In this case, movement of each first weight section52in the Y-axis direction is blocked by a stopper (not shown) and only movement in the X-axis direction is permitted.

In the embodiment, as is shown inFIG. 2, first weight section52constituting each of X-axis counterweights44A and44B is placed in a vacuum space inside wafer stage chamber45, and second weight section54is placed in the air atmosphere outside wafer stage chamber45. Accordingly, in the following description, first weight section52is to be called as vacuum counterweight section52and second weight section54is to be called as atmosphere counterweight section54. Incidentally, a part of rod section55is placed in vacuum and a remaining part is placed in the atmosphere.

Each atmosphere counterweight section54that constitutes a apart of each of X-axis counterweights44A and44B has a substantially rectangular solid shape and is respectively supported by levitation via a predetermined clearance (e.g. a clearance of about several μm) above the upper surface of base plate BP via a noncontact bearing, for example, an air bearing, arranged on the bottom surface of each atmosphere counterweight section54.

As is shown inFIG. 3, X-axis linear motor XM1has a mover42A having a U-like shape in a side view (when viewed from a +X side or −X side) that is fixed to the upper surface of one X-axis slider26A, and a stator40A having a T-like shape in a side view that engages with mover42A via a predetermined clearance and is fixed to the surface on a +Y side of vacuum counterweight section52constituting a part of X-axis counterweight44A. Further, X-axis linear motor XM2has a mover42B having a U-like shape in a side view that is fixed to the lower surface of X-axis slider26A, and a stator40B having a T-like shape in a side view that engages with mover42B via a predetermined clearance and is fixed to the surface on a +Y side of vacuum counterweight section52constituting a part of X-axis counterweight44A.

In this case, each of movers42A and42B is made up of a magnetic pole unit that has a plurality of field magnets arranged on the surfaces facing in the vertical direction and an alternating magnetic field in the X-axis direction is formed inside. Stators40A and40B are made up of an armature unit that has a plurality of armature coils placed along the X-axis direction inside. That is, X-axis linear motor XM1or XM2is a moving magnet type linear motor by an electromagnetic power drive method that generates Lorentz force (a thrust force) that drives X-axis slider26A along X-axis guide24A by electromagnetic interaction between movers42A or42B and corresponding stators40A or40B.

As is shown inFIG. 3, each of X-axis linear motors XM3and XM4is a moving magnet type linear motor by an electromagnetic power drive method similar to the one described above, which has mover42C or42D like mover42A described above that is respectively fixed to the upper surface or the lower surface of the other X-axis slider26B, and stator40C or40D like stator40A described above that engages with mover42C or42D via a predetermined clearance and is respectively fixed to the surface on a −Y side of vacuum counterweight section52constituting a part of X-axis counterweight44B.

In this case, when an X movable section constituted by X-axis sliders26A and26B, Y guide28and slider46is driven in the X-axis direction by each of pairs of XM1and XM2, and XM3ad XM4, a reaction force of the drive force is generated at each of stators40A,40B,40C and40D, and due to an action of the reaction force, X-axis counterweights44A and44B move in a direction opposite to the X movable section (such as X-axis sliders26A and26B) according to the law of conservation of momentum.

Accordingly, in the case any countermeasure is not taken, the positions of X-axis counterweights44A and44B are deviated too far from the initial positions due to the drive of the X movable section described above, and for example, the inconvenience may occur such as the case where vacuum counterweight section52or atmosphere counterweight section54touches wafer stage chamber45, and the like. Further, a force toward −X direction by an accumulated value of all the atmospheric pressure, which acts on a protruding portion (atmosphere counterweight section54and a part of rod section55) that protrudes to the outside on a +X side of wafer stage chamber45(the difference between a force toward −X direction due to the atmospheric pressure that acts on a +X side end surface of atmosphere counterweight section54and a force toward +X direction due to the atmospheric pressure that acts on a −X side end surface of atmosphere counterweight section54), constantly acts on X-axis counterweights44A and44B. Therefore, in the case any countermeasure is not taken, X-axis counterweights44A and44B respectively move to the −X side, which may cause the touch as described. Thus, in order to prevent X-axis counterweights44A and44B from deviating from the initial positions farther than necessary, in the embodiment, a pair of X-axis trim motors XTM1and XTM2are arranged.

As is shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, one X-axis trim motor XTM1is made up of magnetic pole units70A and70B that are respectively arranged on a side surface on one side and the other side of the Y-axis direction of atmosphere counterweight section54constituting a part of X-axis counterweight44A, and armature units72A and72B that are placed in a state of enclosing the upper surface and both side surfaces in the Y-axis direction of atmosphere counterweight section54, and respectively arranged on the inner opposing surfaces of double housing bent member58whose foot portion is fixed to base plate BP. That is, X-axis trim motor XTM1is a motor such as a moving magnet type linear motor or voice coil motor that drives X-axis counterweight44A in the X-axis direction.

The other X-axis trim motor XTM2is configured similarly to the X-axis trim motor XTM1described above (refer toFIG. 3).

As is shown inFIG. 2and a perspective view inFIG. 5that shows Y-direction drive mechanism27Y in particular, Y-direction drive mechanism27Y basically has the similar configuration to X-direction drive mechanism27X described above, though the arrangement direction of respective components of X-direction drive mechanism27X in the X-axis direction is different from that of respective components Y-direction drive mechanism27Y in the Y-axis direction by 90-degrees. In other words, Y-direction drive mechanism27Y is equipped with: a pair of Y-axis guides24C and24D that are arranged extending in the Y-axis direction in the vicinity of an end portion on one side and the other side of the X-axis direction on the upper surface of stage base33respectively, and one end and the other end of which in a longitudinal direction are supported by support member22respectively; a pair of Y-axis sliders26C and26D that are attached to the circumference of Y-axis guides24C and24D respectively; a pair of Y-axis linear motors YM1and YM2and a pair of Y-axis linear motors YM3and YM4that drive Y-axis sliders26C and26D along Y-axis guides24C and24D respectively; an X guide62that has a pair of Y-axis sliders26C and26D fixed to one end and the other end of its longitudinal direction; a pair of Y-axis counterweights44C and44D that move in a direction opposite to Y-axis sliders26C and26D by respectively receiving a reaction force generated at the time of driving Y-axis sliders26C and26D by Y-axis linear motors YM1, YM2, YM3and YM4; and a pair of Y-axis trim motors YTM1and YTM2that adjust the positions of Y-axis counterweights44C and44D by driving Y-axis counterweights44C and44D in the Y-axis direction respectively.

To X guide62, an X slider64whose YZ cross section has a rectangular frame shape is attached slidably.

Y-axis sliders26C and26D have a configuration similar to X-axis sliders26A and26B, and are respectively supported in a noncontact manner via a predetermined clearance via a non-contact bearing (not shown) with respect to four inner surfaces, i.e. the left, right, top and bottom inner surfaces of each of Y-axis guides24C and24D that are made up of a rod member having a rectangular cross section.

Y-axis counterweight44C is placed on a +X side of Y-axis guide24C and Y-axis counterweight44D is placed on a −X side of Y-axis guide24D, respectively. Each of Y-axis counterweights44C and44D has the following three sections respectively, in the similar manner to the X-axis counterweights described above: a vacuum counterweight section52′; an atmosphere counterweight section54′ that is placed a predetermined distance apart from vacuum counter weight section52′ on a −Y side; and a rod section55that interconnects vacuum counter weight section52′ and atmosphere counter weight section54′ and has its longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction. Also in this case, vacuum counter weight section52′ is supported by levitation via a predetermined clearance (e.g. a clearance of about several μm) above stage base33via a noncontact bearing arranged on the bottom surface, for example, differential evacuation type air bearing. Further, movement of vacuum counterweight section52′ in the X-axis direction is blocked by a stopper (not shown) and only movement in the Y-axis direction is permitted.

Also in this case, each vacuum counterweight section52′ is placed in a vacuum space inside wafer stage chamber45, and each atmosphere counterweight section54′ is placed in the air atmosphere outside wafer stage chamber45. Incidentally, a part of rod section55is placed in vacuum and a remaining part is placed in the atmosphere.

Each atmosphere counterweight section54′ that respectively constitutes a part of each of Y-axis counterweights44C and44D is respectively supported by levitation via a predetermined clearance (e.g. a clearance of about several μm) above the upper surface of base plate BP via a noncontact bearing, for example, an air bearing, arranged on the bottom surface of each atmosphere counterweight section54′.

As is shown inFIG. 5, Y-axis linear motor YM1has a mover42E made up of a magnetic pole unit having a U-like shape in a side view (when viewed from a +Y side or −Y side) that is fixed to the upper surface of one Y-axis slider26C, and a stator40E made up of an armature coil having a T-like shape in a side view that engages with mover42E via a predetermined clearance and is fixed to the surface on a −X side of vacuum counterweight section52′ constituting a part of Y-axis counterweight44C. Further, Y-axis linear motor YM2has a mover42F made up of a magnetic pole unit having a U-like shape in a side view that is fixed to the lower surface of Y-axis slider26C, and a stator40F made up of an armature unit having a T-like shape in a side view that engages with mover42F via a predetermined clearance and is fixed to the surface on a −X side of vacuum counterweight section52′ constituting a part of Y-axis counterweight44C. That is, Y-axis linear motor YM1or YM2is a moving magnet type linear motor by an electromagnetic power drive method that generates Lorentz force (a thrust force) that drives Y-axis slider26C along Y-axis guide24C by electromagnetic interaction between mover42E or42F and corresponding stator40E or40F.

Each of Y-axis linear motors YM3and YM4is, as is shown inFIG. 5, a moving magnet type linear motor by an electromagnetic power drive method, which has mover42G or42H made up of a magnetic pole unit as a second mover that is fixed to the upper surface or the lower surface of the other Y-axis slider26D respectively, and stator40G or40H made up of an armature unit that engages with mover42G or42H via a predetermined clearance and is fixed to the surface on a +X side of vacuum counterweight section52′ constituting a part of Y-axis counterweight44D.

In this case, when a Y movable section constituted by Y-axis sliders26C and26D, X guide62and X slider64is driven in the Y-axis direction by each of pairs of Y-axis linear motors YM1and YM2, and YM3and YM4, are action force of the drive force is generated at each of stators40E,40F,40G and40H, and due to an action of the reaction force, Y-axis counterweights44C and44D move in a direction opposite to the Y movable section (such as Y-axis sliders26C and26D) according to the law of conservation of momentum.

In the embodiment, in order to prevent Y-axis counterweights44C and44D from deviating from the initial positions farther than necessary, a pair of Y-axis trim motors YTM1and YTM2are arranged. By these trim motors, like the case of the X-axis counterweights described above, occurrence of the inconvenience is a voided such as the case where vacuum counterweight section52′ or atmosphere counterweight section54′ of Y-axis counterweights44C and44D touches wafer stage chamber45, and the like.

As is shown inFIG. 5, in the similar manner to the X-axis trim motor XTM1described above, Y-axis trim motor YTM1is made up of magnetic pole units70A and70B that are respectively arranged on a side surface on one side and the other side of the X-axis direction of atmosphere counterweight section54′ constituting a part of Y-axis counterweight44C, and armature units72A and72B (armature unit72B is not shown inFIG. 5, refer to FIG.4)that are placed in a state of enclosing the upper surface and both side surfaces in the X-axis direction of atmosphere counterweight section54′, and respectively arranged on the inner opposing surfaces of double housing bent member58whose foot portion is fixed to base plate BP. That is, Y-axis trim motor YTM1is a motor such as a moving magnet type linear motor or voice coil motor that drives Y-axis counterweight44C in the Y-axis direction.

The other Y-axis trim motor YTM2is configured similarly to Y-axis trim motor YTM1described above (refer toFIG. 5).

As can be seen fromFIGS. 2,3and5when they are viewed together, in the embodiment, on X slider64that constitutes a part of Y-direction drive mechanism27Y, Y slider46that constitutes a part of X-direction drive mechanism27X is overlapped in an orthogonal state, and X-direction drive mechanism27X and Y-direction drive mechanism27Y are placed on stage base33so that a center position in a longitudinal direction of X slider64overlaps with a center position in a longitudinal direction of Y slider46. Further, in order to satisfy this condition, a positional relation in a height direction of X guide62with respect to a pair of Y-axis sliders26C and26D and a positional relation in a height direction of Y guide28with respect to a pair of X-axis sliders26A and26B are set. Further, on Y slider46, wafer table WTB described earlier is mounted via Z/tilt drive mechanism27Z (not shown inFIG. 2, refer toFIG. 8).

Further, as is shown inFIG. 2, X slider64and Y slider46are linked by a pair of fastening members60( a fastening member located in the depth of the page surface ofFIG. 2is not shown) that has a substantially L-like shape in a side view and has weak rigidity.

Fastening member60is made up of a type of plate spring also serving as a flexure that has a shape as shown inFIG. 6. As is shown inFIG. 6, fastening member60has the following three sections in an attached state inFIG. 2: a fixed section60athat is fixed to the side surface of Y slider46, a fixed section60bthat is fixed to the upper surface of X slider64by a screw or the like (not shown), and a link section60chaving an L-like shape in a side view that links fixed sections60aand60b.Link section60chas a rising section60fthat extends in the +Z direction from fixed section60b,and a horizontal section60dthat extends from an upper end portion of rising section60ftoward fixed section60a.On a side surface of horizontal section60d,a cut out60ehaving a U-like shape in a planar view is formed in plural. Therefore, the rigidity of fastening member60is comparably low within a plane parallel to an XY plane, compared with that in other directions, and therefore fastening member60also serves as a kind of flexure.

As is obvious from the description so far, in the embodiment, XY moving section22described earlier is configured of Y slider46and X slider64that is linked to Y slider46via a pair of fastening members60(refer toFIG. 2).

Further, in the embodiment, as is shown inFIG. 2, X-axis counterweights44A and44B and Y-axis counterweights44C and44D are attached in a state where each rod section55that constitutes a part of each of X-axis counterweights44A and44B and Y-axis counterweights44C and44D is inserted into the opening formed at wafer stage chamber45. In this case, at the periphery portion of the opening, through which each rod section55is inserted, on an outer surface side of wafer stage chamber45, a seal mechanism66is severally arranged that keeps an airtight state of the inner space of wafer stage chamber45with respect to the outside by blocking the air flow into wafer stage chamber45via a gap between the opening and rod section55, as is representatively shown regarding X-axis counterweight44A inFIG. 2.

As is shown inFIG. 7, seal mechanism66includes a differential evacuation type air bearing68that is attached to the outer circumference portion of rod section55that is inserted into a circular-shaped opening45aformed at wafer stage chamber45, and a freely extendable/contractible bellows74that is arranged between a periphery portion of opening45aon an outer surface side of wafer stage chamber45and air bearing68, and one end of which is connected to wafer stage chamber45without gap and the other end is connected to air bearing68without gap. In this case, between air bearing68and rod section55, a predetermined clearance, for example, a clearance of about several μm is formed by static pressure of pressurized air that is blown out from a bearing surface of air bearing68. Further, in this case, a suction groove (not shown) that is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) that vacuum suctions the pressurized air that has been blown out is formed at the position on a side of wafer stage chamber45(a −X side) of a blow out outlet of the pressurized air, which effectively prevents the blown-out air from flowing into bellows74.

In other words, in the manner described above, the lowering in a degree of vacuum inside wafer stage chamber45caused by the existence of the gap between each rod section55, which respectively constitutes a part of X-axis counterweights44A and44B and Y-axis counterweights44C and44D, and corresponding opening45ais prevented.

Moreover, as is shown inFIG. 7which representatively shows X-axis counterweight44A, rod section55is made up of a columnar-shaped member, and inside the rod section55, hollow sections55aand55bare formed in a section on an upper side and on a lower side from the center in a vertical direction respectively. In side hollow section55aon the upper side, two pipes (a supply side pipe and are turn side pipe) for supplying circulation of a cooling medium used to cool the coils that stators40A and40B of X-axis linear motors XM1and XM2have are inserted. One end (an end section on a side of vacuum counterweight section52) of each pipe is respectively connected to an end section on one side and the other side of a cooling medium circulation route80that is formed inside vacuum counterweight section52. Further, inside hollow section55bon the lower side, two lines for supplying power source electric current to the coils described above are inserted. One end of one line is connected to a power supply line76A inside vacuum counterweight section52(power supply line76A is connected to the coil of stator40A of X-axis linear motor XM1), and one end of the other line is connected to a power supply line76B inside vacuum counterweight section52(power supply line76B is connected to the coil of stator40B of X-axis linear motor XM2). The other ends of the pipes and lines are guided via a through-hole inside atmosphere counterweight section54to the outside and are bundled, and respective guided ends are severally connected to a connector section78that is fixed on base plate BP. Supply of the power source electric current and supply/drainage of the cooling medium are performed via connector section78.

In other words, the inner space of X-axis counterweight44A including hollow sections55aand55bis used as a power usage supply section that supplies power usage to X-axis linear motors XM1and XM2described above. To be more specific, hollow section55aand the inner space of X-axis counterweight44A communicating with hollow section55aserve as a fluid supply section that supplies a cooling medium (fluid) to the coil, and a hollow section55band the inner space of X-axis counterweight44A communicating with the hollow section55bserve as an electric current supply section that supplies electric current to the coil.

The similar configuration is also employed in the remaining X-axis counterweight44B, and the inner space is used as a power usage supply section that supplies power usage to a pair of X-axis linear motors XM3and XM4.

The similar configuration is also employed in Y-axis counterweights44C and44D, and each inner space is used as a power usage supply section that supplies power usage to Y-axis linear motors YM1, YM2, YM3and YM4.

As is described above, in the embodiment, in a state where the lines for supplying power source electric current to the coil equipped in each of X-axis linear motors XM1to XM4and Y-axis linear motors YM1to YM4that drives wafer stage WST (i.e. wafer table WTB, Z/tilt drive mechanism27Z and XY moving section22) on which wafer W is mounted in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the pipes for supplying circulation of a cooling medium used to cool the coil (the stator) that is heated by Joule heat generated by electric current supply are separated from the outside of the respective counterweights, the electric current and the fluid can be supplied to the coil via the lines and the pipes placed inside each counterweight. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to take into consideration the adverse effect of out gassing from the lines and the pipes on the vacuum space inside wafer stage chamber45. As a consequence, normal (not for vacuum) soft lines and pipes can be used as the lines and the pipes.

In the embodiment, the circulation of the cooling medium and the supply of power source during operation of the apparatus are performed by main controller20.

FIG. 8shows a configuration of a system related to stage control of exposure apparatus10of the embodiment using a block diagram, though a part of the configuration is omitted. The system inFIG. 8is configured including a so-called microcomputer (or a workstation) made up of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and is mainly constituted by main controller20that performs over all control of the entire apparatus.

Next, an exposure operation by exposure apparatus10of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, reticle R is transported by a reticle transport system (not shown) and is held by suction on reticle stage RST locate data loading position. Next, main controller20controls the positions of wafer stage WST and reticle stage RST and a projected image of a reticle alignment mark (not shown) formed on reticle R projected on a surface of wafer W is detected using aerial image measurement instrument FM, and a projection position of the reticle alignment mark on the surface of wafer W is obtained. That is, reticle alignment is performed.

Next, main controller20moves wafer stage WST so that aerial image measurement instrument FM is located to directly below alignment detection system ALG, and based on a detection signal of alignment detection system ALG and a measurement value of wafer interferometer82W at this point of time, a relative distance between an image-forming position of a pattern image of reticle R on a surface of wafer W and alignment detection system ALG, that is, a base line is indirectly obtained.

When such base line measurement ends, main controller20performs wafer alignment (such as the EGA) and position information(e.g. position coordinates on a stage coordinate system that is set by measurement axes of the wafer interferometer) of all the shot areas on wafer W is obtained. The details of the EGA are disclosed in, for example, Kokai (Japanese Patent Unexamined Application Publication) No. 61-044429 and the corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,617 and the like. As long as the national laws in designated states (or elected states), to which this international application is applied, permit, the disclosures of the above publication and the U.S. Patent are fully incorporated herein by reference.

Then, after that, under the control of main controller20, by using a measurements result of the base line described above and the wafer alignment result, exposure by a step-and-scan method is performed similarly to a normal scanning stepper (a scanner), in which an operation (stepping operation between shot areas) for moving wafer stage WST to a scanning starting position (an acceleration starting position) for exposure of each shot area on wafer W and an operation for transferring a reticle pattern to the shot area in a scanning exposure method are alternately repeated.

Thus, in exposure apparatus10, processing of an exposure process is executed in the procedures similar to a normal scanner, and at the time of acceleration/deceleration before and after synchronous movement of reticle stage RST and wafer stage WST in the scanning direction (the X-axis direction) for exposure of a shot area, X-axis counterweights44A and44B move in a direction opposite to wafer stage WST according to the law of conservation of momentum due to an action of a reaction force of the drive force of wafer stage WST generated at stators40A to40D of X-axis linear motors XM1to XM4, and thereby the reaction force described above is canceled almost completely.

Further, when wafer stage WST is driven in the Y-axis direction with acceleration/deceleration on the stepping between shot areas or the like, Y-axis counterweights44C and44D move in a direction opposite to wafer stage WST according to the law of conservation of momentum due to an action of a reaction force of the drive force of wafer stage WST generated at stators40E to40H of Y-axis linear motors YM1to YM4, which cancels the reaction force described above almost completely.

In this case, when wafer stage WST is driven with acceleration/deceleration in an arbitrary direction intersecting with the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, movement of X-axis counterweights44A and44B according to the law of conservation of momentum and movement of Y-axis counterweights44C and44D according to the law of conservation of momentum are performed at the same time, and a reaction force of the drive force of wafer stage WST is canceled almost completely regardless of a drive direction of wafer stage WST.

As is described above, with exposure apparatus10of the embodiment, at the time of scanning exposure or stepping between shot areas described above, main controller20controls each of X-axis linear motors XM1to XM4, Y-axis linear motors YM1to YM4and the like, and wafer stage WST is driven within the XY plane. In such a case, a reaction force of the drive force is generated at the respective stators of X-axis linear motors XM1to XM4and Y-axis linear motors YM1to YM4, and X-axis counterweights44A and44B and Y-axis counterweights44C and44D where the respective stators are arranged move in a direction on an opposite side to the movement direction of wafer stage WST due to an action of the reaction force. In this case, a movement distance of the X-axis counterweights and the Y-axis counterweights is a distance that follows the law of conservation of momentum. Accordingly, the reaction force generated by the drive of the wafer stage can be canceled almost completely by the movement of the respective counterweights.

Further, in the embodiment, as is obvious also fromFIGS. 2 and 3, regardless of the position of wafer stage WST, a reaction force of the drive force in the X-axis direction of wafer stage WST can be taken out from a center axis of the drive axis of X-axis linear motors XM1and XM2and a center axis of the drive axis of X-axis linear motors XM3and XM4, that is, from a movement axis of X-axis counterweights44A and44B. Also, as is obvious also fromFIGS. 2 and 5, regardless of the position of wafer stage WST, a reaction force of the drive force in the Y-axis direction of wafer stage WST can be taken out from a center axis of the drive axis of Y-axis linear motors YM1and YM2and a center axis of the drive axis of Y-axis linear motors YM3and YM4, that is, from a movement axis of Y-axis counterweights44C and44D. Accordingly, the structure with which reaction processing is performed very easily is employed.

Further, in exposure apparatus10of the embodiment, as is described earlier, as the lines and pipes for supplying power usage to X-axis linear motors XM1to XM4and Y-axis linear motors YM1to YM4, soft lines and pipes can be used, and as a consequence, when the lines or pipes are dragged at the time of driving wafer stage WST, there is little possibility that the drive of wafer stage WST is hindered by the tension or floor vibration reaches the wafer drive system or wafer stage WST via the lines or pipes.

Accordingly, in the embodiment, when driving wafer stage WST, occurrence of the vibration that may adversely affect exposure is effectively suppressed, and also position controllability of wafer stage WST is improved.

Further, in exposure apparatus10of the embodiment, X-axis counterweight44A has vacuum counterweight section52where the stators of X-axis linear motors XM1and XM2are arranged, and atmosphere counterweight section54that is separated from vacuum counterweight section52in the X-axis direction and is connected to vacuum counterweight section52via rod section55, and X-axis counterweight44B has vacuum counterweight section52where the stators of X-axis linear motors XM3and XM4are arranged, and atmosphere counterweight section54that is separated from vacuum counterweight section52in the X-axis direction and is connected to vacuum counterweight section52via rod section55. Further, Y-axis counterweight44C has vacuum counterweight section52′ where the stators of Y-axis linear motors YM1and YM2are arranged, and atmosphere counterweight section54′ that is separated from vacuum counterweight section52′ in the Y-axis direction and is connected to vacuum counterweight section52′ via rod section55, and Y-axis counterweight44D has vacuum counterweight section52′ where the stators of Y-axis linear motors YM3and YM4are arranged, and atmosphere counterweight section54′ that is separated from vacuum counterweight section52′ in the Y-axis direction and is connected to vacuum counterweight section52′ via rod section55. Therefore, as of the foregoing four counterweights44A to44D can be located outside wafer stage chamber45, the inner volume of wafer stage chamber45can be set smaller, compared to the case when the entire counterweights44A to44D are housed inside wafer stage chamber45(inside the stage housing space) where wafer stage WST is housed. In the embodiment, the inside of wafer stage chamber45is in a high vacuum state, and therefore by decreasing the inner volume, the cost can be lowered by decrease in the size of a vacuum pump and other vacuum components and the cost can be reduced by reduction in the running cost such as power consumption.

Further, in exposure apparatus10of the embodiment, since wafer W is mounted on wafer table WTB of wafer stage WST, and wafer W is exposed by EUV light EL (an energy beam) via reticle R and the projection optical system, exposure can be performed in a state where the effect of vibration caused by a reaction force at the time of driving wafer stage WST is eliminated and exposure accuracy can be improved. Thus, a pattern of reticle R is transferred on to wafer W with good accuracy. In this case, because exposure is performed using EUV light EL, a fine pattern can be transferred on to a wafer with good accuracy by achieving exposure with high resolution.

Incidentally, in the embodiment above, the case has been described where the rod sections are arranged on only one side of the vacuum counterweight section so fall X-axis counterweights44A and44B and Y-axis counterweights44C and44D and the atmosphere counterweight sections are connected via the rod sections. However, the present invention is not limits to this case, and for example, in at least one of X-axis counterweights44A and44B and Y-axis counterweights44C and44D, the rod section may be arranged on one side and the other side of the vacuum counterweight section respectively. In this case, for example, a counterweight such as an X-axis counterweight44B′ shown inFIG. 9is used. When using such a counterweight, a force towards −X direction by an accumulated value of all the atmospheric pressure, which acts on a protruding portion of X-axis counterweight44B′ (atmosphere counterweight section54and a part of rod section55) that protrudes to the outside on a +X side of wafer stage chamber45(the difference between a force toward −X direction due to the atmospheric pressure that acts on a +X side end surface of atmosphere counterweight section54and a force toward +X direction due to the atmospheric pressure that acts on a −X side end surface of atmosphere counterweight section54), balances with a force toward +X direction by an accumulated value of the atmospheric pressure that acts on a protruding portion of rod section55on −X side outside wafer stage chamber45(a force toward +X direction due to the atmospheric pressure that acts on a −X side end surface of rod section55). Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to make the X-axis trim motor constantly generate a thrust force in order to cancel out a force that constantly acts on the counterweight due to the atmospheric pressure.

Incidentally, inFIG. 9, an atmosphere counterweight section may further be arranged at a tip of rod section55on a −X side. In other words, the X-axis counterweight and the Y-axis counterweight may have a plurality of atmosphere counterweight sections. Or, the X-axis counterweight and the Y-axis counterweight may have a vacuum counterweight section divided into plural. In either case, by the counterweight having a plurality of sections that are separated from each other, a degree of freedom in design and a degree of freedom in arrangement of the counterweight improve irrespective of whether there is a chamber or not.

Further, in the embodiment above, the case has been described where wafer stage WST is placed in vacuum inside the wafer stage chamber. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and as is obvious from the description of the embodiment above, the stage unit of the present invention can also be suitably applied to the case where the wafer stage is placed in a space of inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, or helium, argon, neon or other halogen inside the wafer stage chamber. Besides, the stage unit of the present invention can also be suitably applied to the case where both the inside and the outside of the wafer stage chamber in which the wafer stage is placed have the air atmosphere, however, a degree of cleanliness inside the wafer stage chamber is different from that outside the wafer stage chamber.

Further, in the embodiment above, the case has been described where the lines for supplying power source electric current and the pipes for supplying a cooling medium to the coils are arranged and placed in the inner space of the counterweight entirely along a longitudinal direction of the counterweight without being open to the outside air, that is, the case where power usage supply sections (an electric current supply section and a fluid supply section) are formed from one end surface to the other end surface of the counterweight. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the power usage supply sections may be formed inside a part of the counterweight. For example, in the embodiment above, an opening for leading out the pipes and the lines to the outside of the counterweight may be formed at a portion of the counterweight that is on a further outer side than air bearing68shown inFIG. 7, and in this case, a hollow section is not needed on a further outer side than the opening.

Further, in the embodiment above, the case has been described where the stage unit of the present invention is applied as a wafer stage. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the stage unit of the present invention can also be applied as a reticle stage.

Incidentally, in the embodiment above, the case has been described where an EUV light having a wavelength of 11 nm is used as an exposure light. However, the present invention is not limited to the case, and an EUV light having a wavelength of 13 nm may be used as an exposure light. In this case, in order to ensure a reflectance of about 70% with respect to an EUV light having a wavelength of 13 nm, a multilayer film that is formed by a layer of molybdenum (Mo) and a layer of silicon (Si) that are alternately over laid needs to be used as a reflective film of each mirror.

Further, in the embodiment above, the SOR (Synchrotron Orbital Radiation) is used as an exposure light source. However the present invention is not limited to this, and either of a laser-excited plasma light source, a betatron light source, a discharged light source, an X-ray laser or the like may be used.

Incidentally, in the embodiment above, the case has been described where an EUV light is used as an exposure light and a total reflection projection optical system made up of only four mirrors is used. However, this is merely one example, and the present invention is not limited to the case as a matter of course. That is, for example, an exposure apparatus that is equipped with a projection optical system made up of only six mirrors can be used as a matter of course, and a VUV light source having a wavelength of 100 to 160 nm, for example, an Ar2laser (wavelength: 126 nm) can also be used as a light source and a projection optical system that has four to eight mirrors, or the like can also be used.

Further, in the embodiment above, the case has been described where the present invention is applied to a scanning stepper, as an example. However, the application range of the present invention is not limited to the scanning stepper, and the present invention can suitably be applied to a static exposure apparatus such as a stepper that performs exposure in a state where a mask and a substrate are static. Also, the present invention can suitably be applied to an exposure apparatus by a step-and -stitch method likewise.

Further, an object that is subject to exposure of an exposure apparatus is not limited to a wafer for manufacturing semiconductors as in the embodiment above. For example, the object may be a rectangular-shaped glass plate for manufacturing display units such as liquid crystal display devices, plasma displays, organic EL, or a substrate for manufacturing thin film magnetic heads, imaging devices (such as CCDs), masks or reticles.

Further, illumination light EL may be an F2laser beam (wavelength: 157 nm), and also may be a light having a wavelength longer than 160 nm, such as an ArF excimer laser beam (wavelength: 193 nm) or a KrF excimer laser beam (wavelength: 248 nm). As the projection optical system, in the case a far-ultraviolet light such as a KrF excimer laser beam or an ArF excimer laser beam is used, a material such as quartz or fluorite to which a far-ultraviolet light is transmissive needs to be used as a glass material, and in the case an F2laser beam or the like is used, a fluorite or other fluoride crystal needs to be used.

Further, for example, as a vacuum ultraviolet light, an ArF excimer laser beam or an F2laser beam is used. However, the present invention is not limited to these beams, and a harmonic wave may also be used that is obtained by amplifying a single-wavelength laser beam in the infrared or visible range emitted by a DFB semiconductor laser or fiber laser, with a fiber amplifier doped with, for example, erbium (or both erbium and ytteribium), and by converting the wavelength into ultraviolet light using a nonlinear optical crystal. Moreover, the stage unit of the present invention can also be applied to an immersion exposure apparatus that has liquid (such as pure water) filled in between projection optical system PL and a wafer whose details are disclosed in, for example, the Pamphlet of International Publication No. WO99/49504.

Besides, the present invention can also be applied to an exposure apparatus that uses an electron mask (a variable shaped mask) that forms a light-transmitting pattern or a reflection pattern, or an emission pattern base d on electronic data of the pattern that is to be exposed, for example, a variable shaped mask using a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) that is a type of a non-emitting image display device (which is also called as a spatial light modulator) as is disclosed in, for example, the U.S. Pat. No. 6,778,257, or to an exposure apparatus (a lithography system) that forms a device pattern on wafer W by forming interference fringe on wafer W as is disclosed in the Pamphlet of International Publication No. WO2001/035168.

Further, the magnification of the projection optical system in the exposure apparatus is not limited to a reduction system, but may be either of an equal magnifying system or a magnifying system, and the projection optical system may be either of a dioptric projection optical system that is made up of only lenses or a catadioptric projection optical system that partially includes lenses. And, the projection image may be either of an inverted image or an upright image.

Incidentally, the usage of the stage unit of the present invention is not limited to an exposure apparatus, and the stage unit can be widely applied to other substrate processing apparatuses (such as a laser repair apparatus, or a substrate inspection apparatus), or apparatuses for setting the position of a specimen in other precision instruments.

Incidentally, semiconductor devices are manufactured through the following steps: a step where the function/performance design of a device is performed; a step where a reticle base d on the design step is manufactured; a step where a wafer is manufactured using materials such as silicon; a lithography step where a pattern formed on a reticle as a mask is transferred onto a wafer as a photosensitive object by the exposure apparatus described in the embodiment above; a device assembly step (including a dicing process, a bonding process, and a packaging process); inspection step, and the like. In this case, in the lithography step, because the exposure apparatus in the embodiment above is used, high integration devices can be manufactured with good yield.

While the above-described embodiment of the present invention is the presently preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art of lithography systems will readily recognize that numerous additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that all such modifications, additions, and substitutions fall within the scope of the present invention, which is best defined by the claims appended below.