Measurement apparatus, lithography apparatus, and method of manufacturing article

The present invention provides a measurement apparatus that includes a movable stage and measures a position of a mark on the stage, comprising an imaging device including a plurality of pixels arranged at a pitch and imaging the mark, a driving device changing a relative position between the stage and the imaging device, a measurement device measuring the relative position, and a processor obtaining the position of the mark based on a plurality of images respectively obtained by the imaging device at a plurality of relative positions between the stage and the imaging device that are different from each other and associated with the pitch, wherein the processor is configured to obtain, based on a deviation with respect to one of the plurality of relative positions, a target relative position with respect to another of the plurality of relative positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a measurement apparatus that measures a position of a mark on a substrate, a lithography apparatus, and a method of manufacturing an article.

Description of the Related Art

A lithography apparatus used to manufacture a semiconductor device or the like needs to measure the position of a mark on a substrate stage (mark provided on a substrate or the substrate stage) with high accuracy in order to position the substrate with high accuracy. The position of the mark is determined based on an image of the mark that is obtained by an imaging device.

An error arising from sampling (so-called sampling error) at the pixel pitch of the image sensor of the imaging device may be generated in measurement of the position of a mark. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-66111 proposes a method of reducing a sampling error by using the fact that the sampling error appears in a predetermined period. The method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-66111 reduces the sampling error by using a plurality of images in which the positions of a mark projected on the image sensor are different from each other depending on the period of the sampling error.

In the method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-66111, a plurality of images are obtained by imaging a mark on a substrate while changing the position of a stage that holds the substrate. However, the position of the stage upon imaging the mark on the substrate may have a deviation from a target position. Reduction of the sampling error by using a plurality of images may become insufficient unless the movement of the substrate stage is controlled in consideration of this deviation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, for example, a technique advantageous in precision with which a position of a mark is measured.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measurement apparatus that includes a movable stage and measures a position of a mark on the stage, the apparatus comprising: an imaging device including a plurality of pixels arranged at a pitch and configured to image the mark via the plurality of pixels; a driving device configured to change a relative position between the stage and the imaging device; a measurement device configured to measure the relative position; and a processor configured to obtain the position of the mark based on a plurality of images respectively obtained by the imaging device at a plurality of relative positions between the stage and the imaging device that are different from each other and associated with the pitch, wherein the processor is configured to obtain, based on a deviation with respect to one of the plurality of relative positions, a target relative position with respect to another of the plurality of relative positions.

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. The following embodiments will explain a step & scan type exposure apparatus (so-called scanner) that exposes a substrate while scanning it, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to another lithography apparatus such as a step & repeat type exposure apparatus (so-called stepper), an imprint apparatus, or a drawing apparatus.

First Embodiment

An exposure apparatus100according to 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 apparatus100according to the first embodiment. The exposure apparatus100can include, for example, an illumination optical system10, a mask stage2, a projection optical system3, a substrate stage5(stage), imaging devices6, a measurement device7, a measurement device9, and a processor23. The processor23performs processing of determining the positions of marks8on a substrate based on a plurality of images obtained by the imaging devices6, and controls each device of the exposure apparatus100, which will be described later. In the exposure apparatus100according to the first embodiment, the processor23controls processing of exposing a substrate4(processing of forming a pattern on the substrate4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a control device that controls the processing of exposing the substrate4may be provided separately from the processor23. The substrate stage5, the imaging devices6, the measurement device9, and the processor23can constitute a measurement apparatus that measures the position of a mark on a substrate stage (mark provided on a substrate or the substrate stage). The first embodiment will explain an example in which the positions of the marks8provided on a substrate are measured.

The illumination optical system10illuminates a mask1held by the mask stage2by using light (exposure light) emitted by a light source (not shown). The projection optical system3has a predetermined magnification (for example, ½), and projects, to the substrate4, the pattern of the mask1illuminated with the exposure light. The mask1and the substrate4are held by the mask stage2and the substrate stage5, respectively, and are disposed at optically almost conjugate positions (object plane and image plane of the projection optical system3) through the projection optical system3. The mask stage2holds the mask1by vacuum chuck, electrostatic chuck, or the like, and is constituted to be movable in, for example, directions (X and Y directions) parallel to the surface of the substrate4and rotation directions (θX, θY, and θZ) around the X-, Y-, and Z-axes. The mask stage2can be driven by a mask driving device2b. The substrate stage5holds the substrate4by vacuum chuck, electrostatic chuck, or the like, and is constituted to be movable in, for example, directions (X and Y directions) parallel to the surface of the substrate4and rotation directions (θX, θY, and θZ) around the X-, Y-, and Z-axes. The substrate stage5can be driven by a driving device5b. In the first embodiment, the driving device5bcan function as a driving device that changes the relative position between the substrate stage5and the imaging devices6.

The measurement device7measures the position of the mask stage2. The measurement device7can include, for example, an interferometer. The interferometer included in the measurement device7irradiates, with light, a mirror2aprovided on the side surface of the mask stage2, and measures the position of the mask stage2from a reference position based on the light reflected by the mirror2a.

The measurement device9measures the position of the substrate stage5with reference to the imaging devices6. The measurement device9can include, for example, a plurality of interferometers (first measurement devices9a) each of which measures the position of the substrate stage5. Each of the plurality of first measurement devices9airradiates, with light, a corresponding one of mirrors5aprovided on the side surfaces of the substrate stage5, and measures the position of the substrate stage5from a reference position based on the light reflected by the mirror5a. For example, the plurality of first measurement devices9aare disposed as shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 2is a view showing the positional relationship between the substrate stage5, the measurement device9(plurality of first measurement devices9a), and the imaging devices6. Each of first measurement devices9a1to9a3measures the position of the substrate stage5in the X direction. The first measurement devices9a1and9a2are disposed side by side in the Z direction, and the first measurement devices9a1and9a3are disposed side by side in the Y direction. Each of the first measurement devices9a4and9a5measures the position of the substrate stage5in the Y direction. The first measurement devices9a4and9a5are disposed side by side in the Z direction. By disposing the respective first measurement devices9ain this manner, the measurement device9can measure tilts (θX and θY) of the substrate stage and a rotation (θZ) of the substrate stage, in addition to the position of the substrate stage5in directions (X and Y directions) parallel to the surface of the substrate4. The “position of the substrate stage” used in the following description can include at least one of a component regarding the position (X and Y directions) of the substrate stage5with respect to the imaging device6, a component regarding the tilt of the substrate stage5with respect to the imaging device6, and a component regarding the rotation of the substrate stage5with respect to the imaging device6.

For example, as shown inFIG. 3, each imaging device6includes an image sensor61having a plurality of pixels, and an optical system62for projecting the mark8provided on the substrate to the image sensor61. The imaging device6images the mark8provided on the substrate. As the image sensor61, a sensor (for example, a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor) in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, or a sensor (for example, a line sensor) in which a plurality of pixels are one-dimensionally arranged can be used. The first embodiment will explain an example of using, as the image sensor61, a sensor in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged. As shown inFIG. 2, the exposure apparatus100according to the first embodiment can include the plurality of imaging devices6so that the plurality of marks8provided on the substrate can be simultaneously imaged. As the imaging device6, there are proposed an alignment scope6athat images the mark8on the substrate through a mark on the mask and the projection optical system3, and an off-axis scope6bthat images the mark8on the substrate without the intervention of the mark on the mask and the projection optical system3. The first embodiment will explain an example in which a mark on a substrate is imaged by using the off-axis scope6bas the imaging device6.

[Method of Measuring Position of Mark on Substrate]

A method of measuring the position of a mark based on an image obtained by imaging the mark on the substrate by the imaging device6will be described.FIG. 4Ais a view showing a mark projected on the image sensor61of the imaging device6. The image sensor61includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged pixels, as described above, and the plurality of pixels inFIG. 4Aare arranged in rows R1to Ri (i is the number of rows) and columns C1to Cj (j is the number of columns). The mark8on the substrate includes, for example, an array (line & space pattern) of a plurality of patterns. Assume that three patterns included in the mark8on the substrate are projected on the image sensor shown inFIG. 4Aat the optical magnification of the optical system62of the imaging device6. In the following description, the three patterns projected on the image sensor61will be referred to as projection patterns M1to M3. Assume that the pattern included in the mark8on the substrate is made of a low-light-reflectance member (for example, resist), and the remaining portion is made of a high-light-reflectance member (for example, glass). Note that it is only necessary that the light reflectance differs between the pattern on the substrate and the remaining portion. Thus, the pattern on the substrate may be made of a high-reflectance member, and the remaining portion may be made of a low-reflectance member.

The imaging device6images the mark8on the substrate by using the image sensor61, and outputs a signal obtained by sampling, at the pixel pitch, an image obtained by the imaging.FIG. 4Bis a graph showing an example of a signal output from the imaging device6. InFIG. 4B, the abscissa represents a pixel array or sequence (pixel row or column) in the image sensor61, and the ordinate represents a light amount in each pixel array of the image sensor61. Since the light reflectance differs between the line pattern on the substrate and the remaining portion, as described above, the light amount differs between a plurality of pixel arrays in accordance with an area by which the projection pattern is included. For example, on a pixel array C3including none of the projection patterns M1to M3, the light amount becomes larger than those on pixel arrays C4and C5including the projection pattern M1. On the pixel array C4, the light amount becomes larger than that on the pixel array C5because the area by which the projection pattern is included is smaller. By using a signal output from the imaging device6, the processor23can determine the position, on the substrate, of the mark8provided on the substrate. For example, the processor23can obtain the position of a mark on a substrate by using an edge detection method of detecting a change (edge) of the light amount of each pixel array, and obtaining the intersection point to obtain the center position of the projection pattern.

In the exposure apparatus100having this arrangement, an error arising from sampling (so-called sampling error) at the pixel pitch may be generated in the measurement result of the position of the mark8. The generation principle of a sampling error in the measurement result of the position of a mark will be explained with reference toFIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B.FIG. 5Ais a view showing the image sensor61of the imaging device6on which the mark8on the substrate is projected. A case is assumed, in which a pattern (projection pattern M4) projected on the image sensor61corresponds with (corresponds to) two pixel arrays C2and C3, as shown inFIG. 5A. In this case, the imaging device6images the mark on the substrate by using the image sensor61, and outputs a signal (FIG. 5B) obtained by sampling, at the pixel pitch, an image obtained by the imaging. By using the signal output from the imaging device6, the processor23detects the center position of the projection pattern M4by the edge detection method. In this manner, when the projection pattern M4corresponds with the pixel arrays, the center position of the projection pattern detected by the edge detection method can correspond with the center position of the actual projection pattern, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B.

In contrast, a case is assumed, in which the projection pattern M4is shifted by ¼ of the pixel pitch from the position shown inFIG. 5A, that is, the projection pattern M4does not correspond with the pixel arrays, as shown inFIG. 6A. In this case, the imaging device6images the mark8on the substrate by using the image sensor61, and outputs a signal (FIG. 6B) obtained by sampling, at the pixel pitch, an image obtained by the imaging. By using the signal output from the imaging device6, the processor23detects the center position of the projection pattern M4by the edge detection method. When the projection pattern M4does not correspond with the pixel arrays, a difference E may be generated between the center position of the projection pattern detected by the edge detection method and the center position of the actual projection pattern, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B. The difference E is a sampling error and degrades the measurement accuracy of the mark8on the substrate.

FIG. 7is a graph showing the relationship between the center position of a projection pattern detected by the edge detection method and the center position of an actual projection pattern. Ideally, the center position of the projection pattern detected by the edge detection method and the center position of the actual projection pattern may have the same value, as indicated by a broken line51inFIG. 7. However, if the projection pattern is shifted from pixel arrays, a sampling error is generated in a given period between the center position of the projection pattern detected by the edge detection method and the center position of the actual projection pattern, as indicated by a solid line52inFIG. 7. The period of this sampling error is known to be equal to the pixel pitch. Theoretically, the sampling error can be canceled (reduced) by determining the position of a mark on a substrate by using n images in which the positions of projection patterns on the image sensor are different from each other by 1/n (n≧2) of the pixel pitch.

As a method of changing the position of the projection pattern on the image sensor, the target position of the substrate stage5(target relative position between the substrate stage5and the imaging device6) is changed. For example, when changing the position of a projection pattern on the image sensor by 1/n of the pixel pitch, the target position of the substrate stage5is changed by an amount obtained from 1/n of the pixel pitch and the optical magnification of the optical system62of the imaging device6. However, the position of the substrate stage5upon obtaining an image by the imaging device6does not always correspond with the target position owing to the vibration of the substrate stage5and the like. That is, the position of the substrate stage5upon obtaining an image by the imaging device6may deviate from the target position. For example, a case is assumed, in which the imaging device6successively obtains two images (first and second images) out of the n images.FIG. 8is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the substrate stage5and the time. A case is assumed, in which the position of the substrate stage5at time t1when the mark8on the substrate was imaged to obtain the first image is different from a first target position P1, that is, a deviation D is generated between the position of the substrate stage5at time t1and the first target position P1, as shown inFIG. 8. In this case, the target position (second target position P2) of the substrate stage for acquiring the second image is determined to be changed from the first target position P1by a target distance A obtained from the pixel pitch and the optical magnification of the optical system62. If the second target position P2is determined in this fashion, the distance between the position of the substrate stage5at time t1when the first image was obtained, and the second target position P2differs from the target distance A by the deviation D. As a result, the difference of the position of the projection pattern between the first and second images is shifted from 1/n of the pixel pitch, and reduction of the sampling error may become insufficient.

To solve this, the exposure apparatus100according to the first embodiment determines the target position (second target position P2) of the substrate stage5when obtaining the second image by the imaging device6, in consideration of the position of the substrate stage5that was measured by the measurement device9upon obtaining the first image by the imaging device6. That is, the exposure apparatus100determines respective target relative positions so that a plurality of relative positions between the substrate stage5and the imaging devices6become different by 1/n of the pixel pitch as relative positions between the imaging devices6and imaged marks (images of marks on the substrate). For example, the processor23determines the second target position P2of the substrate stage5for obtaining the second image by the imaging device6, so that a length on the image sensor, which corresponds to the distance between the second target position P2and the position of the substrate stage5upon obtaining the first image, becomes 1/n of the pixel pitch. The difference of the position of the projection pattern between the first and second images can come close to 1/n of the pixel pitch, compared to a case in which the second target position P2is determined based on the first target position P1. When the mark8on the substrate includes an array of a plurality of patterns, the processor23desirably moves the substrate stage5in the direction of the array of the plurality of patterns when obtaining n images by the imaging device6.

[Measurement Sequence of Position of Mark on Substrate]

Next, a sequence to measure the position of a mark on a substrate from n images obtained by the imaging device6will be explained with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10.FIG. 9is a flowchart showing a method of acquiring n images by the imaging device6, and measuring the position of a mark on a substrate from the n images.FIG. 10is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the substrate stage5and the time when obtaining two images (for example, the first and second images). S101to S109shown inFIG. 10correspond to respective steps inFIG. 9.

In step S101, the processor23moves the substrate stage5so that the mark8on the substrate enters the field of view of the imaging device6. In step S102, the processor23moves the substrate stage5, and determines whether the deviation between the target position and the position of the substrate stage5that was measured by the measurement device9falls within an allowable range. If the deviation falls within the allowable range, the process advances to step S103. If the deviation does not fall within the allowable range, step S102is repeated. If the amplitude of the vibration of the substrate stage5during imaging of the mark8on the substrate is larger than the interval between the line patterns of the mark8, adjacent projection patterns overlap each other, and it may become difficult to obtain the center position of each projection pattern with high accuracy. Therefore, the allowable range may be set to be equal to or narrower than the interval between the patterns of the mark8on the substrate. The substrate stage5may vibrate even during imaging of the mark8on the substrate in order to obtain the second image. Thus, an allowable range when obtaining the second image may be set to be narrower than an allowable range when obtaining the first image. By narrowing the allowable range, the difference of the position of the projection pattern between the first and second images can further come close to 1/n of the pixel pitch. An allowable range when obtaining the third and subsequent images is desirably set to be equal to or narrower than the allowable range when obtaining the second image.

In step S103, the processor23causes the imaging device6to image the mark8on the substrate, and causes the measurement device9to measure the position of the substrate stage5in the period in which imaging by the imaging device6is performed. Accordingly, the imaging device6can obtain one image, and the processor23can obtain, from the imaging device6, a signal acquired by sampling this image at the pixel pitch. The processor23stores the position of the substrate stage5that was measured by the measurement device9in that period. In the first embodiment, the processor23starts imaging of the mark on the substrate by the imaging device6when the deviation falls within the allowable range. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the processor23may obtain in advance the time (settling time) in which the vibration of the substrate stage5is settled, and after the settling time elapses, start imaging by the imaging device6. In step S103, the processor23stores the position of the substrate stage5that was measured by the measurement device9in the period in which imaging by the imaging device6was performed. However, the deviation between the target position and the position of the substrate stage5that was measured by the measurement device in that period may also be stored.

In step S104, the processor23obtains the center position of the projection pattern on the image sensor by the above-described method based on one image obtained by the imaging device6, that is, the signal obtained from the imaging device6. In step S105, the processor23determines whether the number of images obtained by the imaging device6has reached a predetermined number (for example, n). If the number of images has not reached the predetermined number, the process advances to step S106. If the number of images has reached the predetermined number, the process advances to step S108.

In step S106, by using the position of the substrate stage5that has been stored in step S103, the processor23determines the target position of the substrate stage5for obtaining the next image by the imaging device6. For example, the processor23determines the target position of the substrate stage5for obtaining the next image by the imaging device6, so that a length on the image sensor, which corresponds to the distance between the target position and the position of the substrate stage5that has been stored in step S103, becomes 1/n of the pixel pitch. Here, when the deviation between the position of the substrate stage5and the target position is stored in step S103, the processor23may determine the target position of the substrate stage5for obtaining the next image by using the deviation. When the position (or deviation) of the substrate stage5in the period in which imaging by the imaging device6is performed is stored, the target position of the substrate stage5for obtaining the next image may be determined by using the average value of positions (or deviations) of the substrate stage5in this period. For example, assume that the average value of positions of the substrate stage5in the period (step S103) in which the imaging device6obtains the first image is X11inFIG. 10. In this case, the processor23determines, as the target position P2of the substrate stage for obtaining the next image (second image), a position obtained by adding, to the average value X11, the target distance A of the substrate stage5that corresponds to 1/n of the pixel pitch in the image sensor61.

In step S107, the processor23moves the substrate stage5to the target position determined in step S106. After that, the processor23repeats steps S102to S105. In step S108, the processor23determines the position of the mark8on the substrate by using the center position of the projection pattern that has been obtained in step S104. By controlling the movement of the substrate stage5and acquiring n images in this way, the processor23can reduce the sampling error and determine the position of the mark8on the substrate with high accuracy. Although the position of the mark8on the substrate is determined based on n images in the first embodiment, it may be determined based on a plurality of images including n images.

As described above, the exposure apparatus100according to the first embodiment determines the target position of the substrate stage5for obtaining the next image by the imaging device6, in consideration of the position of the substrate stage5upon obtaining an image by the imaging device6. As a result, the amount by which the position of the projection pattern on the image sensor is changed by moving the substrate stage5can come close to 1/n of the pixel pitch. The sampling error can be reduced, and the position of the mark on the substrate can be determined with high accuracy.

The exposure apparatus according to the first embodiment determines, from the position (or deviation) of the substrate stage5at the time of immediately preceding imaging, the target position of the substrate stage5for obtaining an image by the imaging device6. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The target position may be determined by using the position of the substrate stage5at the time of the second or more preceding imaging, or by using a plurality of positions of the substrate stage5at the time of past imaging. In the latter case, for example, the target position can be determined based on the position of the substrate stage5at the time of immediately preceding imaging, and the position of the substrate stage5at the time of second preceding imaging. At this time, when the signs (+/−) of two past deviations are different, the target position of the substrate stage5for obtaining an image by the imaging device6may be determined to be a preset value.

The exposure apparatus according to the first embodiment moves the substrate stage5to acquire n images in which positions of the projection pattern are different from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a driving device that drives the imaging device6may be provided to move the imaging device6and acquire n images. Alternatively, both the substrate stage5and the imaging device6may be moved to acquire n images. In this case, at least one of the driving device5bthat drives the substrate stage5, and the driving device that drives the imaging device6can function as a driving device that changes the relative position between the substrate stage5and the imaging device6.

Second Embodiment

An exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the exposure apparatus, not only a substrate stage5vibrates owing to disturbance, but also imaging devices6may vibrate. Only by measuring the position of the substrate stage5, the position of the substrate stage5with reference to the imaging devices6cannot be satisfactorily measured with high accuracy. In the exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment, therefore, a measurement device9can include a plurality of interferometers (second measurement devices9b) that measure the positions of the respective imaging devices6, as shown inFIG. 11.FIG. 11is a view showing the positional relationship between the substrate stage5, the measurement device9(a plurality of first measurement devices9aand the plurality of second measurement devices9b), and the imaging devices6. In the exposure apparatus, the plurality of second measurement devices9bmay be provided for the respective imaging devices6so that the positions of the respective imaging devices6in the X and Y directions can be measured. For example, a second measurement device9b1provided for each imaging device6is disposed to measure the position of the imaging device6in the X direction, and a second measurement device9b2is disposed to measure the position of the imaging device6in the Y direction. Each second measurement device9bmay be supported by a support member that supports each first measurement device9afor measuring the position of the substrate stage5. Hence, the measurement device9can measure the position of the substrate stage5with respect to the imaging device6with high accuracy. In the exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment, the arrangement except for the measurement device9is the same as that in the exposure apparatus100according to the first embodiment, and a description of the arrangement except for the second measurement device will not be repeated.

Next, a method of measuring the position of a mark8on a substrate by using n images will be described. The exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment measures the position of the mark8on the substrate according to the flowchart shown inFIG. 9. The exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment is different in step S103from the exposure apparatus100according to the first embodiment. Step S103will be explained below. In step S103, a processor23causes the imaging device6to image the mark8on the substrate, and causes the measurement device9to measure the position of the substrate stage5with respect to the imaging device6in the period in which imaging by the imaging device6is performed. At this time, the measurement device9obtains the position of the substrate stage5with respect to the imaging device6(the relative position between the substrate stage5and the imaging device6) based on the result of measurement by each first measurement device9aand the result of measurement by each second measurement device9b, as described above. The processor23stores the position of the substrate stage5with respect to the imaging device6that was measured by the measurement device9in that period. Here, the processor23stores the position of the substrate stage that was measured by the measurement device9in the period in which imaging by the imaging device6was performed. Alternatively, the deviation between the target position and the position of the substrate stage5that was measured by the measurement device9in that period may be stored.

As described above, in the exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment, the measurement device9uses the first measurement device9ato measure the position of the substrate stage5, and uses the second measurement device9bto measure the position of the imaging device6. The exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment can therefore measure the position of the substrate stage5with respect to the imaging device6with higher accuracy than in the exposure apparatus100according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment of Method of Manufacturing Article

A method of manufacturing an article according to an embodiment of the present invention is suitable for manufacturing an article, for example, a microdevice such as a semiconductor device or an element having a microstructure. The method of manufacturing the article according to this embodiment includes a step of forming a pattern on a substrate (a step of exposing the substrate) using the above-described lithography apparatus (exposure apparatus), and a step of processing the substrate onto which the pattern has been formed in the preceding step. This manufacturing method further includes other known steps (oxidation, deposition, vapor deposition, doping, planarization, etching, resist peeling, dicing, bonding, packaging, and the like). The method of manufacturing the article according to this embodiment is advantageous in at least one of the performance, quality, productivity, and production cost of the article, as compared with a conventional method.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-130687 filed Jun. 25, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.