Abstract:
In an immersion exposure apparatus, a projection system includes an optical element having a light emitting surface that contacts immersion liquid and an outer surface above the light emitting surface. A holding member holds the optical element, and a liquid confinement member surrounds the optical element to form a gap between the optical element and the liquid confinement member. The outer surface of the optical element includes a first part extending upwardly with respect to the light emitting surface, and a second part above the gap and extending radially outwardly with respect to the first part. The gap is between the first part and an inner surface of the liquid confinement member, which has an upper surface extending radially outwardly with respect to the inner surface. The holding member holds the optical element over a portion of the upper surface of the liquid confinement member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/449,041 filed Apr. 17, 2012, which in turn is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/320,771 filed Feb. 4, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,218,127), which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/325,474 filed Jan. 5, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,508,490), which is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2004/010057, filed Jul. 8, 2004, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-272617 (filed on Jul. 9, 2003). The contents of each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus that exposes a pattern on a substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid and to device manufacturing method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The semiconductor device or the liquid crystal display device is manufactured by the technique known as photolithography, in which a pattern formed on a mask is transferred onto a photosensitive substrate. The exposure apparatus used in this photolithography process has a mask stage that supports a mask and a substrate stage that supports a substrate, and it transfers a mask pattern to a substrate via a projection optical system while sequentially moving the mask stage and the substrate stage. In recent years, it is demanded to realize the higher resolution of the projection optical system in order to respond to the further advance of the higher integration of the device pattern. As the exposure wavelength to be used is shorter, the resolution of the projection optical system becomes higher. As the numerical aperture of the projection optical system is larger, the resolution of the projection optical system becomes higher. Therefore, the exposure wavelength, which is used for the exposure apparatus, is shortened year by year, and the numerical aperture of the projection optical system is increased as well. The exposure wavelength, which is dominantly used at present, is 248 nm of the KrF excimer laser. However, the exposure wavelength of 193 nm of the ArF excimer laser, which is shorter than the above, is also practically used in some situations. When the exposure is performed, the depth of focus (DOF) is also important in the same manner as the resolution. The resolution R and the depth of focus δ are represented by the following expressions respectively. 
         [0000]        R=k   1 ·λ/NA,  (1)
 
         [0000]      δ=± k   2 ·λ/NA 2 ,  (2)
 
         [0006]    In the expressions, λ represents the exposure wavelength, NA represents the numerical aperture of the projection optical system, and k 1  and k 2  represent the process coefficients. According to the expressions (1) and (2), the following fact is appreciated. That is, when the exposure wavelength λ is shortened and the numerical aperture NA is increased in order to enhance the resolution R, then the depth of focus δ is narrowed. 
         [0007]    If the depth of focus δ is too narrowed, it is difficult to match the substrate surface with respect to the image plane of the projection optical system. It is feared that the margin is insufficient during the exposure operation. Accordingly, the liquid immersion method has been suggested, which is disclosed, for example, in PCT International Publication No. WO99/49504 as a method for substantially shortening the exposure wavelength and widening the depth of focus. In this liquid immersion method, the space between the lower surface of the projection optical system and the substrate surface is filled with a liquid such as water or any organic solvent to form a liquid immersion area so that the resolution is improved and the depth of focus is magnified about n times by utilizing the fact that the wavelength of the exposure light beam in the liquid is 1/n as compared with that in the air (n represents the refractive index of the liquid, which is about 1.2 to 1.6 in ordinary cases). As far as is permitted by the law of the country specified or selected in this patent application, the disclosures in PCT International Publication No. WO99/49504 are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0008]    If the supply of liquid from the supply port of the liquid supply mechanism is uneven when the liquid is supplied onto the substrate to form a liquid immersion region, there is a possibility of occurrence of an inconvenience such as the formation of the liquid immersion region becoming inadequate, leading to deterioration of the pattern image exposed onto the substrate. For this reason, even (uniform) supply of liquid from the supply port of the liquid supply mechanism is also in demand. The prevention of mixing in of impurities such as bubbles, etc. into the liquid immersion region is also in demand in order to prevent deterioration of the pattern image exposed on the substrate. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, it is also important that the liquid on the substrate be recovered well. When the liquid cannot be adequately recovered, for example, the liquid that remains on the substrate dries, a water mark is produced there, and an inconvenience in which the remaining liquid is scattered to the peripheral mechanical components when, for example, the substrate is conveyed and rust is caused also occurs. In addition, when liquid remains and is scattered, there is a possibility that the measuring operations relating to exposure processing will be affected, such as by fluctuations being brought about in the environment (temperature, etc.) in which the substrate is placed, causing changes in the refractive index on the optical path of the detection light of the optical interferometer used in stage position measurement, thereby causing exposure precision to degraded. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention was made taking such circumstances into account, and its purpose is to provide an exposure apparatus that is able to prevent pattern image deterioration and perform exposure processing with good accuracy when the pattern is exposed onto a substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid, and to provide a device manufacturing method. 
         [0011]    The first aspect of the present invention is an exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate by forming a liquid immersion region on the substrate, and projecting a pattern image onto the substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid that forms the liquid immersion region, the exposure apparatus including: a liquid supply mechanism that has a supply port arranged to oppose a surface of the substrate; and a buffer space formed in a channel of the liquid supply mechanism, wherein the liquid is supplied to the supply port after reserving a prescribed amount or more of liquid in the buffer space. 
         [0012]    According to this aspect, when liquid is supplied from the supply port that opposes the substrate surface, by supplying the liquid after reserving a prescribed amount or more in the buffer space, the flow volume distribution and the flow rate distribution of the liquid with respect to the supply port can be made uniform. Therefore, the liquid can be evenly supplied onto the substrate from the supply port. 
         [0013]    The second aspect of the present invention is an exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate by forming a liquid immersion region on the substrate, and projecting a pattern image onto the substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid that forms the liquid immersion region, the exposure apparatus including: a liquid supply mechanism that has a supply port arranged to oppose a surface of the substrate; and a channel being connected to the supply port of the liquid supply mechanism, the channel having a corner and a channel portion disposed in vicinity of the corner, the channel portion being made narrower than the channel in front thereof. 
         [0014]    According to this aspect, bubbles are likely to remain in the vicinity of the corner of the channel, but the flow rate of the liquid is increased by narrowing the channel in the vicinity of this corner, and the bubbles can be discharged to the exterior via the supply port due to the increased flow rate of the liquid. Therefore, by performing the liquid immersion exposure operation after the bubbles are discharged from the channel, mixing of the bubbles from the channel into the liquid immersion region can be prevented, and exposure processing can be performed in a status in which bubbles are not present in the liquid immersion region. 
         [0015]    The third aspect of the present invention is an exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid, the exposure apparatus including: a liquid supply mechanism that is arranged in vicinity of a terminating end of the projection optical system and supplies the liquid; and a minute gap that is formed between a side surface of the liquid supply mechanism and a side surface of an optical member of the terminating end, which comes into contact with the liquid, of the projection optical system, wherein at least one of the side surface of the liquid supply mechanism and the side surface of the optical member of the terminating end is liquid repellence treated. 
         [0016]    According to this aspect, due to the minute gap formed between the liquid supply mechanism and the projection optical system, the vibration that is generated by the liquid supply mechanism is not transmitted to the projection optical system, thus the substrate can be exposed well. Also, by performing liquid repellence treatment for at least one of the side surface of the liquid supply mechanism and the side surface of the optical member of the terminating end that form this minute gap, it is possible to prevent penetration of the liquid into the minute gap. If liquid has penetrated into the minute gap, there is a possibility that an inconvenience will occur, wherein the penetrated liquid is in a stagnant state, the degree of cleanliness drops, and the liquid in the minute gap of which that degree of cleanliness has dropped mixes into the liquid immersion region, for example, during liquid immersion exposure. However, penetration of the liquid to the minute gap can be prevented by performing liquid repellence treatment, so it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the aforementioned inconvenience. 
         [0017]    The fourth aspect of the present invention is an exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid, the exposure apparatus including: a liquid recovery mechanism that is arranged in the vicinity of a terminating end of the projection optical system and that recovers the liquid; and a minute gap is formed between a side surface of the liquid recovery mechanism and a side surface of the optical member of the terminating end, which comes into contact with the liquid, of the projection optical system, wherein at least one of the side surface of the liquid recovery mechanism and the side surface of the optical member of the terminating end is liquid repellence treated. 
         [0018]    Specifically, what is arranged in the vicinity of the terminating end of the projection optical system is not limited to a liquid supply mechanism, it may also be a liquid recovery mechanism, and, in this case as well, it is possible to prevent penetration of the liquid into the minute gap by performing liquid repellence treatment for at least one of the side surface of the liquid recovery mechanism and the side surface of the optical member of the terminating end that form the minute gap. 
         [0019]    The fifth aspect of the present invention is an exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid, the exposure apparatus including: a liquid recovery mechanism that recovers the liquid on the substrate along with a gas in vicinity thereof and has a separator that separates a recovered liquid and a recovered gas. 
         [0020]    According to this aspect, since, in the case where the liquid recovery mechanism, for example, performs the recovery by sucking in the liquid on the substrate along with the gas in the vicinity thereof by means of a vacuum system, the separator that separates the recovered liquid and gas is provided in that liquid recovery mechanism, it is possible to prevent the penetration of liquid to the vacuum system such as a vacuum pump. Therefore, it is possible to well maintain the recovery operation of the liquid recovery mechanism for a long period of time while preventing the occurrence of inconvenience such as malfunctions of the vacuum system, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the pattern image due to the residual liquid on the substrate, or the like. 
         [0021]    The sixth aspect of the present invention is an exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate via a liquid, the exposure apparatus including: a projection optical system that projects the pattern image onto the substrate via the liquid; and a gap formed between a side surface of an optical member, that comes into contact with the liquid, among a plurality of optical elements of the projection optical system and a surface of an object in opposition thereto, permeation of the liquid to the gap being restricted. 
         [0022]    According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent inconvenience such as the one whereby the liquid that has penetrated to the side surface of the optical member remains there, the degree of cleanliness of that liquid drops, and that liquid with a reduced degree of cleanliness is mixed into the liquid in forming the liquid immersion region on the substrate, for example. 
         [0023]    The seventh aspect of the present invention is a device manufacturing method, and it uses the exposure apparatus described above. According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a device that has a pattern formed with good pattern accuracy that is able to exhibit the desired performance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram that shows one embodiment of the exposure apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a plan view for describing the arrangement of the liquid supply port and the recovery port. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an oblique view that shows the channel formation member that constitutes the liquid supply mechanism and the liquid recovery mechanism. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an oblique view that shows the first member of the channel formation member. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are oblique views that show the second member of the channel formation member. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is an oblique view that shows the third member of the channel formation member. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is an A-A cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 , and it is a drawing that shows the liquid supply channel and the recovery channel. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a B-B cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 , and it is a drawing that shows the liquid recovery channel. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram that shows the gas-liquid separator. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a drawing that shows the separation tube of the gas-liquid separator. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the minute gap. 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view that shows another example of the vicinity of the minute gap. 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a drawing that shows another embodiment of the liquid supply channel and the recovery channel. 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a drawing that shows another embodiment of the liquid supply channel and the recovery channel. 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a drawing that shows another embodiment of the liquid supply channel and the recovery channel. 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is an oblique view that shows another example of the bank portion. 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is an oblique view that shows another embodiment of the liquid supply mechanism and the liquid recovery mechanism. 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is a flow chart that shows an example of the manufacturing process of the semiconductor device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    The exposure apparatus of the present invention will be explained below while referring to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments below, and, for example, the constituent elements of these embodiments may be appropriately combined. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram that shows one embodiment of the exposure apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 1 , the exposure apparatus EX is provided with a mask stage MST that supports a mask M, a substrate stage PST that supports a substrate P, an illumination optical system IL that uses exposure light EL to illuminate the mask M that is supported by the mask stage MST, a projection optical system PL that projection exposes the pattern image of the mask M illuminated by the exposure light EL onto the substrate P supported on the substrate stage PST, and a control apparatus CONT that comprehensively controls operation of the entire exposure apparatus EX. 
         [0045]    The exposure apparatus EX of the present embodiment is a liquid immersion exposure apparatus that applies the liquid immersion method to effectively shorten the exposure wavelength to improve resolution as it effectively broadens the depth of focus, and it is provided with a liquid supply mechanism  10  that supplies a liquid  1  onto the substrate P and a liquid recovery mechanism  20  that recovers the liquid  1  on the substrate P. The exposure apparatus EX fills the space of the optical path on the image plane side of the projection optical system PL with a liquid  1 , using the liquid  1  supplied from the liquid supply mechanism  10 , to form a liquid immersion region AR 2  on a portion of the substrate P that includes the projection region AR 1  of the projection optical system PL at least while the pattern image of the mask M is being transferred onto the substrate P. Specifically, the exposure apparatus EX fills in a liquid  1  between the optical element (optical member)  2  of the terminating end portion of the projection optical system PL and the surface of the substrate P and exposes the substrate P by projecting the pattern image of the mask M onto the substrate P via the projection optical system PL and the liquid  1  between this projection optical system PL and the substrate P. 
         [0046]    Here, in this embodiment, an explanation will be given which uses as an example the case of a scanning exposure apparatus (a so-called scanning stepper) that, as the exposure apparatus EX, synchronously moves the mask M and the substrate P in respective scanning directions that are mutually different directions (opposite directions) while exposing the pattern formed on the mask M onto the substrate P. In the following explanation, the direction that matches the optical axis AX of the projection optical system PL is the Z axis direction, the synchronous movement direction (scanning direction) of the mask M and the substrate P within a plane perpendicular to the Z axis direction is the X axis direction, and the direction (non-scanning direction) perpendicular to the Z axis direction and the X axis direction is the Y axis direction. In addition, the rotation (tilting) directions around the X axis, Y axis and Z axis are the θX, θY and θZ directions respectively. Note that the “substrate” mentioned here includes substrates obtained by coating a semiconductor wafer with a photoresist as a photosensitive material, and the “mask” includes reticles formed with a device pattern to be subjected to the reduction projection onto the substrate. 
         [0047]    The illumination optical system IL is used so that the mask M, which is supported on the mask stage MST, is illuminated with the exposure light beam EL. The illumination optical system IL includes an exposure light source, an optical integrator which uniformizes the illuminance of the light flux radiated from the exposure light source, a condenser lens which collects the exposure light beam EL come from the optical integrator, a relay lens system, a variable field diaphragm which sets the illumination area on the mask M illuminated with the exposure light beam EL to be slit-shaped, and the like. The predetermined illumination area on the mask M is illuminated with the exposure light beam EL having a uniform illuminance distribution by the illumination optical system IL. Those usable as the exposure light beam EL radiated from the illumination optical system IL include emission lines (g-ray, h-ray, i-ray) in the ultraviolet region radiated, for example, from a mercury lamp, far ultraviolet light beams (DUV light beams) such as the KrF excimer laser beam (wavelength: 248 nm), and vacuum ultraviolet light beams (VUV light beams) such as the ArF excimer laser beam (wavelength: 193 nm) and the F 2  laser beam (wavelength: 157 nm). In this embodiment, the ArF excimer laser beam is used. 
         [0048]    The mask stage MST supports the mask M. The mask stage MST is two-dimensionally movable in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX of the projection optical system PL, i.e., in the XY plane, and it is finely rotatable in the θZ direction. The mask stage MST is driven by a mask stage-driving unit MSTD such as a linear motor. The mask stage-driving unit MSTD is controlled by the control unit CONT. A movement mirror  50  is provided on the mask stage MST. A laser interferometer  51  is provided at a position opposed to the movement mirror  50 . The position in the two-dimensional direction and the angle of rotation of the mask M on the mask stage MST are measured in real-time by the laser interferometer  51 . The result of the measurement is outputted to the control unit CONT. The control unit CONT drives the mask stage-driving unit MSTD on the basis of the result of the measurement obtained by the laser interferometer  51  to thereby position the mask M supported on the mask stage MST. 
         [0049]    The projection optical system PL projection-exposes the pattern on the mask M onto the substrate P at a predetermined projection magnification β. The projection optical system PL is constituted by a plurality of optical elements including the optical element (lens)  2  provided at the terminating end portion on the side of the substrate P. The optical elements are supported by a barrel PK. In this embodiment, the projection optical system PL is the reduction system having the projection magnification β which is, for example, ¼ or ⅕. The projection optical system PL may be any one of the 1× magnification system and the magnifying system. The optical element  2 , which is disposed at the end portion of the projection optical system PL of this embodiment, is provided detachably (exchangeably) with respect to the barrel PK. The liquid  1  in the liquid immersion area AR 2  makes contact with the optical element  2 . 
         [0050]    In this embodiment, pure water is used for the liquid  1 . Those capable of being transmitted through pure water include the ArF excimer laser beam as well as the emission line (g-ray, h-ray, i-ray) in the ultraviolet region radiated, for example, from a mercury lamp and the far ultraviolet light beam (DUV light beam) such as the KrF excimer laser beam (wavelength: 248 nm). 
         [0051]    The optical element  2  is formed of fluorite. Fluorite has a high affinity for water. Therefore, the liquid  1  is successfully allowed to make tight contact with substantially the entire surface of the liquid contact surface  2   a  of the optical element  2 . That is, in this embodiment, the liquid (water)  1 , which has the high affinity for the liquid contact surface  2   a  of the optical element  2 , is supplied. Therefore, the highly tight contact is effected between the liquid  1  and the liquid contact surface  2   a  of the optical element  2 . The optical path between the optical element  2  and the substrate P can be reliably filled with the liquid  1 . The optical element  2  may be formed of quartz (silica) having a high affinity for water. A water-attracting (lyophilic or liquid affinity) treatment may be applied to the liquid contact surface  2   a  of the optical element  2  to further enhance the affinity for the liquid  1 . 
         [0052]    The substrate stage PST supports the substrate P. The substrate stage PST includes a Z stage  52  which holds the substrate P by the aid of a substrate holder, an XY stage  53  which supports the Z stage  52 , and a base  54  which supports the XY stage  53 . The substrate stage PST is driven by a substrate stage-driving unit PSTD such as a linear motor. The substrate stage-driving unit PSTD is controlled by the control unit CONT. By driving the Z stage  52 , the substrate P, which is held on the Z stage  52 , is subjected to the control of the position (focus position) in the Z axis direction and the positions in the θX and θY directions. By driving the XY stage  53 , the substrate P is subjected to the control of the position in the XY directions (position in the directions substantially parallel to the image plane of the projection optical system PL). That is, the Z stage  52  controls the focus position and the angle of inclination of the substrate P so that the surface of the substrate P is adjusted to match the image plane of the projection optical system PL in the auto-focus manner and the auto-leveling manner. The XY stage  53  positions the substrate P in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. It goes without saying that the Z stage and the XY stage may be provided as an integrated body. 
         [0053]    A movement mirror  55 , which is movable together with the substrate stage PST with respect to the projection optical system PL, is provided on the substrate stage PST (Z stage  52 ). A laser interferometer  56  is provided at a position opposed to the movement mirror  55 . The angle of rotation and the position in the two-dimensional direction of the substrate P on the substrate stage PST are measured in real-time by the laser interferometer  56 . The result of the measurement is outputted to the control unit CONT. The control unit CONT drives the substrate stage-driving unit PSTD on the basis of the result of the measurement of the laser interferometer  56  to thereby position the substrate P supported on the substrate stage PST. 
         [0054]    An auxiliary plate  57  is provided on the substrate stage PST (Z stage  52 ) so that the substrate P is surrounded thereby. The auxiliary plate  57  has a flat surface which has approximately the same height as that of the surface of the substrate P held by the substrate holder. In this arrangement, a gap of about 0.1 to 2 mm is provided between the auxiliary plate  57  and the edge of the substrate P. However, the liquid  1  scarcely flows into the gap owing to the surface tension of the liquid  1 . Even when the vicinity of the circumferential edge of the substrate P is subjected to the exposure, the liquid  1  can be retained under the projection optical system PL by the aid of the auxiliary plate  57 . 
         [0055]    The liquid supply mechanism  10  supplies the prescribed liquid  1  onto the substrate P, and it is provided with a first liquid supply portion  11  and a second liquid supply portion  12  that are able to deliver the liquid  1  and a first and second supply tube  11 A,  12 A that respectively connect one end portion thereof to the first and second liquid supply portions  11 ,  12 . The first and second liquid supply portions  11 ,  12  are respectively provided with a tank that accommodates the liquid  1 , a pressurizing pump, etc. 
         [0056]    The liquid recovery mechanism  20  recovers the liquid  1  on the surface of the substrate P, and it is provided with a liquid recovery portion  21  that is able to recover the liquid  1  and recovery tubes  22  (first through fourth recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D) that connect one end portion thereof to the liquid recovery portion  21 . The liquid recovery portion  21  is provided with a suction apparatus (vacuum system) such as a vacuum pump and a tank that accommodates the recovered liquid  1 . 
         [0057]    A channel formation member  30  is arranged in the vicinity of the optical element  2  of the terminating end portion of the projection optical system PL. 
         [0058]    The channel formation member  30  is a ring-shaped member provided so as to surround the optical element  2 , and it is provided with a first supply port  13  and a second supply port  14  arranged to oppose the surface of the substrate P. In addition, the channel formation member  30  has supply channels  82  ( 82 A,  82 B) in the interior thereof. One end portion of the supply channel  82 A is connected to the first supply port  13 , and the other end portion is connected to the liquid supply portion  11  via the first supply tube  11 A. One end portion of the supply channel  82 B is connected to the second supply port  14 , and the other end portion is connected to the second liquid supply portion  12  via the second supply tube  12 A. In addition, the channel formation member  30  is provided with a recovery port  23  arranged to oppose the surface of the substrate P. In this embodiment, the channel formation member  30  has four recovery ports  23 A to  23 D. In addition, the channel formation member  30  has recovery channels  84  ( 84 A to  84 D) that correspond to the recovery port  23  ( 23 A to  23 D) in the interior thereof. One end portion of the recovery channels  84 A to  84 D is respectively connected to the recovery ports  23 A to  23 D, and the other end portion is respectively connected to the liquid recovery portion  21  via the recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D. In this embodiment, the channel formation member  30  comprises the respective portions of the liquid supply mechanism  10  and the liquid recovery mechanism  20 . 
         [0059]    Note that, in this embodiment, the first through fourth recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D are connected to one liquid recovery portion  21 , but a plurality (four, here) of the liquid recovery portions  21  that correspond to the number of recovery tubes may be provided, and the respective first through fourth recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D may be respectively connected to the aforementioned plurality of liquid recovery portions  21 . 
         [0060]    The liquid supply operations of the first and second liquid supply portions  11 ,  12  are controlled by the control apparatus CONT. The control apparatus CONT is capable of respectively independent control of the liquid supply volume per unit time onto the substrate P from the first and second liquid supply portions  11 ,  12 . The liquid  1  that is delivered from the first and second liquid supply portions  11 ,  12  is supplied onto the substrate P from the supply ports  13 ,  14  via the supply tubes  11 A,  12 A and the supply channels  82 A,  82 B of the channel formation member  30 . In addition, the liquid recovery operation of the liquid recovery portion  21  is controlled by the control apparatus CONT. The control apparatus CONT is able to control the liquid recovery volume per unit time by the liquid recovery portion  21 . The liquid  1  on the substrate P that has been recovered from the recovery port  23  is recovered by the liquid recovery portion  21  via the recovery channel  84  and the recovery tube  22  of the channel formation member  30 . 
         [0061]    A liquid trap surface  70  of a prescribed length that catches the liquid  1  unsuccessfully recovered by the recovery port  23  is formed on the lower surface (surface that faces the substrate P side) of the channel formation member  30  outside from the recovery port  23  with respect to the projection optical system PL. The trap surface  70  is inclined with respect to the XY plane, and is inclined to make separation from the surface of the substrate P (to be directed upwardly) at outer positions with respect to the projection area AR 1  (liquid immersion area AR 2 ). Lyophilic treatment (liquid-attracting treatment) is implemented on the trap surface  70 . The film (resist, reflection prevention film, etc.) that is coated on the surface of the substrate P is normally water-repellent, so the liquid  1  that flows to the outside of the recovery port  23  is captured by the trap surface  70  and is ultimately recovered by the recovery port  23 . Note that the liquid  1  in this embodiment is water that has a large polarity, so it is possible to give hydrophilic properties to the trap surface  70  by forming a thin film using a substance with a molecular structure that has a large polarity, such as alcohol, for example as the lyophilic treatment (hydrophilic treatment) for the trap surface  70 . 
         [0062]    Specifically, in the case where water is used as the liquid  1 , treatment in which a substance with a molecular structure that has a large polarity, such as an OH group, is arranged on the trap surface  70  is preferable. 
         [0063]      FIG. 2  is a plan view that shows the positional relationship between the projection region AR 1  of the projection optical system PL and the first and second supply ports  13 ,  14  and first through fourth recovery ports  23 A to  23 D formed on the channel formation member  30 . 
         [0064]    In  FIG. 2 , the projection region AR 1  of the projection optical system PL is set to a rectangular shape with the Y axis direction (the non-scanning direction) as the lengthwise direction, and a liquid immersion region AR 2  that has been filled with liquid  1  is within a region including the projection region AR 1  surrounded effectively by four recovery ports, and it is formed on a portion of the substrate P. The first supply port  13  is provided at one side (−X side) of the scanning direction with respect to the projection region AR 1 , and the second supply port  14  is provided on the other side (+X side). That is, the first and second recovery ports  13 ,  14  are arranged on both sides of the projection region AR 1  in relation to the scanning direction (X direction) so as to interpose it. The respective first and second supply ports  13 ,  14  are formed as slits that are approximately arc-shaped in a planar view and that have specified lengths. The lengths in the Y axis direction of the first and second supply ports  13 ,  14  is at least longer than the length of the projection region AR 1  in the Y axis direction. The liquid supply mechanism  10  is able to simultaneously supply liquid  1  on both sides of the projection region AR 1  using the first and second supply ports  13 ,  14 . 
         [0065]    The first through fourth recovery ports  23 A to  23 D are arranged to surround the supply ports  13 ,  14  and projection region AR 1 . Of the plurality (four) of recovery ports  23 A to  23 D, the first recovery port  23 A and the third recovery port  23 C are arranged on both sides of the projection region AR 1  in relation to the X axis direction to interpose it, and the second recovery port  23 B and the fourth recovery port  23 D are arranged on both sides of the projection region AR 1  in relation to the Y axis direction to interpose it. The supply ports  13 ,  14  have a configuration in which they are arranged between the projection region AR 1  and recovery ports  23 A and  23 C. The respective recovery ports  23 A to  23 D are formed in a slit shape that has a prescribed length and is approximately arc-shaped in a planar view. The length of recovery ports  23 A and  23 C in the Y axis direction is longer than the length of the supply ports  13 ,  14  in the Y axis direction. The respective recovery ports  23 B and  23 D are also formed to be nearly the same length as recovery ports  23 A and  23 C. The first through fourth recovery ports  23 A to  23 D are connected to the liquid recovery portion  21  via the first through fourth recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D respectively. 
         [0066]    Note that, in this embodiment, the plurality of respective recovery ports  23 A to  23 D are formed to be nearly the same size (length), but they may also be mutually different sizes. In addition, the number of recovery ports  23  is not limited to four, and they may be plurally provided in any number as long as they are arranged to surround the projection region AR 1  and the supply ports  13 ,  14 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 3  is a schematic oblique view of the channel formation member  30 . 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the channel formation member  30  is a ring-shaped member provided to enclose the optical element  2  of the tip portion of the projection optical system PL, and it is provided with a first member  31 , a second member  32  that is arranged on the upper portion of the first member  31 , and a third member  33  that is arranged on the upper portion of the second member  32 . The respective first through third members  31  to  33  that constitute the channel formation member  30  are plate-shaped members and have respective hole portions  31 A to  33 A that are able to arrange the projection optical system PL (optical element  2 ) at the center portion thereof. One end portion of first and second supply tubes  11 A and  12 A is connected to first and second liquid supply portions  11  and  12  respectively, and the other end portion is connected to the supply channel  82  formed inside the channel formation member  30 . One end portion of first through fourth recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D is connected to the liquid recovery portion  21 , and the other end portion is connected to the recovery channel  84  formed inside the channel formation member  30 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 4  is an oblique view that shows the first member  31  arranged at the lowest level among the first through third members. 
         [0070]    The first member  31  is provided with a first supply port  13  that is formed on the −X side of the projection optical system PL and supplies liquid  1  to the substrate P and a second supply port  14  that is formed on the +X side of the projection optical system PL and supplies liquid onto the substrate P. The respective first supply port  13  and second supply port  14  are through holes that pass through the first member  31 , and that are formed to be approximately arc-shaped in a planar view. In addition, the first member  31  is provided with a first recovery port  23 A that is formed on the −X side of the projection optical system PL and recovers liquid on the substrate P, a second recovery port  23 B that is formed on the −Y side of the projection optical system PL and recovers the liquid on the substrate P, a third recovery port  23 C that is formed on the +X side of the projection optical system PL and recovers the liquid on the substrate P, and a fourth recovery port  23 D that is formed on the +Y side of the projection optical system PL and recovers the liquid on the substrate P. 
         [0071]    The respective first through fourth recovery ports  23 A to  23 D are also through holes that pass through the first member  31 , formed to be approximately arc-shaped in a planar view, and provided at approximately equal intervals along the perimeter of the projection optical system PL. In addition the respective recovery ports  23 A to  23 D are provided further outside the projection optical system PL than the supply ports  13 ,  14 . They are provided so that the separation distance of supply ports  13  and  14  with the substrate P and the separation distance of recovery ports  23 A to  23 D with the substrate P are nearly the same. Specifically, the height position of the supply ports  13 ,  14  and the height position of the recovery ports  23 A to  23 D are set to be nearly the same. 
         [0072]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are oblique views that show the second member  32  arranged at the middle level among the first through third members, where  FIG. 5A  is an oblique view as seen from the upper side, and  FIG. 5B  is an oblique view as seen from the lower side. 
         [0073]    The other end portion of the first and second supply tubes  11 A,  12 A and the other end portion of the first through fourth recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D are connected to the second member  32  by means of couplers  80 ,  81 . The second member  32  is provided with a first supply hole portion  15  that is formed on the −X side of the projection optical system PL and connects to the first supply port  13  of the first member  31  and a second supply hole portion  16  that is formed on the +X side of the projection optical system PL and connects to the second supply port  14  of the first member  31 . The first and second supply hole portions  15 ,  16  are through holes, where the shape and size in a planar view correspond to the first and second supply ports  13 ,  14 . Specifically, the first and second supply hole portions  15 ,  16  are slit-shaped channels that have an arc shape in a planar view. 
         [0074]    In addition, a tapered groove portion  17  that is connected to the first supply portion  11 A via a tube-shaped connection hole  41 A is formed on the −X side of the projection optical system PL of the upper surface  32 S of the second member  32 . The tapered groove portion  17  is formed to gradually expand in the horizontal direction from the connection portion with the first supply tube  11 A (connection hole  41 A) toward the projection optical system PL side (first supply hole portion  15  side), and the length of the wide portion thereof in relation to the Y axis direction and the length of the first supply hole portion  15  are nearly the same. Also, a bank portion  43  is provided between the tapered groove portion  17  and the first supply hole portion  15 . The bank portion  43  is a protrusion portion that is lower than the upper surface  32 S of the second member  32  and higher than the tapered groove portion  17 , and the length thereof in the Y axis direction is nearly the same as the length of the first supply hole portion  15  (first supply port  13 ). In the same way, a tapered groove portion  18  that connects with the second supply tube  12 A via a connection hole  41 B is formed on the +X side of the projection optical system PL of the upper surface of the second member  32 . The tapered groove portion  18  is formed to gradually expand in the horizontal direction from the connection portion with the second supply tube  12 A (connection hole  41 B) toward the projection optical system PL side (second supply hole portion  16  side), and the length in the Y axis direction of the wide portion thereof is nearly the same as the length of the second supply hole portion  16 . Also, a bank portion  44  is provided between tapered groove portion  18  and the second supply hole portion  16 . The bank portion  44  is a protrusion portion that is lower than the upper surface  32 S of the second member  32  and higher than tapered groove portion  18 , and the length thereof in the Y axis direction is nearly the same as the length of the second supply hole portion  16  (second supply port  14 ). By connecting the first member  31  and the second member  32 , the first and second supply holes  13 ,  14  formed on the first member  31  and the first and second supply hole portions  15 ,  16  formed on the second member  32  are respectively connected. 
         [0075]    A tapered groove portion  45  that is connected to the first recovery portion  22 A via a tube-shaped connection hole  42 A is formed on the −X side of the projection optical system PL of the lower surface  32 D of the second member  32 . Tapered groove portion  45  is formed to gradually expand in the horizontal direction from the connection portion with the first recovery tube  22 A toward the projection optical system PL side, and the length of the wide portion thereof in relation to the Y axis direction and the length of the first recovery port  23 A of the first member  31  are nearly the same. Also, when the first member  31  and the second member  32  are connected, the wide portion of tapered groove portion  45  and the first recovery port  23 A are connected. A tapered groove portion  46  that connects with the second recovery tube  22 B via a connection hole  42 B is formed on the −Y side of the projection optical system PL, and it is formed to gradually expand in the horizontal direction from the connection portion with the second recovery tube  22 B toward the projection optical system PL side. In addition, it is such that the wide portion of tapered groove portion  46  is connected with the second recovery port  23 B of the first member  31 . In the same way, tapered groove portions  47  and  48  that connect with third and fourth recovery tubes  22 C and  22 D via connection holes  42 C and  42 D are respectively formed on the +X side and the +Y side of the projection optical system PL, and they are formed to gradually expand in the horizontal direction from the connection portion with the third and fourth recovery tubes  22 C,  22 D toward the projection optical system PL side. In addition, they are such that the wide portion of the tapered groove portions  47 ,  48  and the third and fourth recovery ports  23 C,  23 D of the first member  31  are connected. 
         [0076]      FIG. 6  is a drawing that shows the third member  33 . 
         [0077]    The lower surface of the third member  33  is a flat surface. When the second member  32  and the third member  33  are connected, the upper surface  32 S of the second member  32  and the lower surface of the third member  33  come into contact. The bank portions  43 ,  44  are lower than the upper surface  32 S, so they do not come into contact with the lower surface of the third member  33 . 
         [0078]    Note that, in this embodiment, the channel formation member  30  is formed using three members, but the number of members is not limited thereto. In addition, the channel to the supply ports  13 ,  14  and the channel to the recovery ports  23 A,  23 B,  23 C,  23 D may be selectively formed on each of the respective members, and channels may be formed on separate members for each port. 
         [0079]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional diagram at the A-A arrow of  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional diagram at the B-B arrow of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0080]    Note that, the following explanation is with respect to the supply channel  82 B ( 82 ) and the circuit channel  84 C ( 84 ) provided on the +X side of the projection optical system PL of the channel formation member  30 , but the supply channel  82 A provided on the −X side of the projection optical system PL, the recovery channel  82 A of the −X side of the projection optical system PL, the recovery channel  82 B of the −Y side and the recovery channel  82 D of the +Y side also have an equivalent configuration. 
         [0081]    In  FIG. 7 , the supply channel  82 B is provided with a connection hole  41 B in which one end portion thereof connects to the supply tube  12 A via a coupler  80 , and the other end portion is connected to tapered groove portion  18 , a buffer space portion  90  formed between the tapered groove portion  18  and the third member  33 , a narrow channel portion  91  formed between the bank portion  44  and the third member  33  and that is narrower than the buffer space portion  90 , and a supply hole portion  16  whose top end portion connects to the narrow channel portion  91  and whose lower end portion connects to supply port  14 . The buffer space portion  90  forms a relatively wide channel. In the buffer space portion  90  and the narrow channel portion  91 , the liquid  1  flows in a nearly horizontal direction (XY plane direction), and, in the supply hole portion  16 , the liquid  1  flows in a nearly vertical direction (−Z direction). Specifically, the supply channel  82 B has a corner portion  92  on its path, and the narrow channel portion  91  has a configuration in which it is provided in the vicinity of (immediately before) that corner portion  92 . 
         [0082]    The narrow channel portion  91  is provided further on the channel downstream side than the buffer space portion  90 . Specifically, the narrow channel portion  91  in the vicinity of the corner portion  92  has a configuration that is narrower than the buffer space portion  90 , which is the channel in front thereof. In this embodiment, the narrow channel portion  91  is formed between the bank portion  44  that protruded upward from the second member  32  and the third member  33  and is narrowed in the vertical direction with respect to the buffer space portion  90 . 
         [0083]    The liquid  1  that is sent from the liquid supply portion  12  flows to the connection hole  41 B of the supply channel  82 B via a supply tube  12 A. After the liquid  1  flows through the buffer space portion  90  in a nearly the horizontal direction and flows through the narrow channel portion  91 , it changes direction to the substrate P side at the corner portion  92 , and it is supplied onto the substrate P from supply port  14  via a supply hole portion  16 . 
         [0084]    On the other hand, a recovery channel  84 C has a buffer space portion  94 , one end portion of which is connected to a recovery port  23 C and the other end portion of which is connected to a connection hole  42 C. Through the driving of the liquid recovery portion  21  that has a vacuum pump, the liquid  1  on the substrate P flows upward in the vertical direction (+Z direction) to the recovery channel  84 C via recovery port  23 C. At this time, along with the liquid  1  on the substrate P, gas (air) in the vicinity thereof also flows (is recovered) from recovery port  23 C. The direction of the liquid  1  that has flowed into the recovery channel  84 C is changed to the horizontal direction on the side of the one end portion of the buffer space portion  94 , and it flows through the buffer space portion  94  in a nearly horizontal direction. After that, it flows through the connection hole  42 C and is sent to the liquid recovery portion  21  via a recovery tube  22 C. 
         [0085]    The first through third members  31  to  33  are formed of a metal such as stainless steel, titanium, aluminum or an alloy that contains these, and the hole portion and the groove portion of the respective members  31  to  33  are formed by discharge processing, for example. After the process for the respective members  31  to  33  by discharge processing, a channel formation member  30  is formed by joining these respective members  31  to  33  using a bonding agent, a joint member or the like. Note that the liquid contact surface of the first through third members  31  to  33  may have electrolytic polishing or non-conductor oxidation film treatment or both implemented. By joining the respective members  31  to  33 , a supply channel  82 B ( 82 ), which includes a buffer space portion  90  and a narrow channel portion  91 , and a recovery channel  84 C ( 84 ), which includes a buffer space portion  94 , are formed. Note that the respective members constituting a liquid supply mechanism  10  and liquid recovery mechanism  20  including the channel formation member  30  may be formed by a synthetic resin such as polytetrafluorethylene. 
         [0086]    A minute gap  100  is formed between the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30 , which constitutes a portion of the liquid supply mechanism  10  and the liquid recovery mechanism  20 , and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  of the terminating end portion, which comes into contact with the liquid  1 , of the projection optical system PL. The minute gap  100  is provided to vibrationally separate the optical element  2  of the projection optical system PL and the channel formation member  30 , and, with the aid of the minute gap  100 , the vibration generated in the liquid supply mechanism  10  and the liquid recovery mechanism  20  can be prevented from being transmitted to the projection optical system PL. The minute gap  100  is formed small enough to cause a liquid  1  permeation phenomenon in order to bring the projection region AR 1  and the supply port  14  as close together as possible, and the minute gap  100  is connected with the gas space in the vicinity of the channel formation member  30 . The liquid supply mechanism  10  and the liquid recovery mechanism  20  that include the channel formation member  30  are respectively supported by a support members other than the projection optical system PL and the support members that support this projection optical system PL. 
         [0087]    Liquid repellence (water repellence) treatment is performed on both the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  and the side surface  2 T of the optical member  2 , which form the minute gap  100 . The liquid repellence treatment portions  101 A,  101 B where the liquid repellence treatment is performed are provided at a portion that is separated from the lower end portion of the minute gap  100  that comes into contact with the liquid  1 . The size (distance in the Z axis direction) of the non-liquid repellence treatment portions  102 A,  102 B between the lower end portion of the minute gap  100  and the liquid repellence treatment portions  101 A,  101 B of the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  is set to be nearly the same as the distance (so-called working distance) between the projection optical system PL and the substrate P, for example. Note that, in the example shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , liquid repellence treatment portion  101 A is provided on nearly the entire surface of the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  with the exception of the vicinity of the lower end portion of the minute gap  100 , but it may also be a configuration in which the portion  101 A is provided on a portion thereof, and it may be a configuration in which the portion  101 A is provided discontinuously (in an island shape). Similarly, in stead of a configuration in which liquid repellence treatment portion  101 B is provided on nearly the entire surface of the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  with the exception of the vicinity of the lower end portion of the minute gap  100 , there may also be a configuration in which it is provided on a portion thereof. 
         [0088]    An example of liquid repellence treatment is a coating treatment using a material that has liquid repellent properties. Examples of materials that have liquid repellent properties are a fluorocarbon compound, a silicon compound or a synthetic resin such as polyethylene. In addition, the thin film for surface treatment may be a single layer film, and it may also be a film consisting of a plurality of layers. 
         [0089]    Note that the liquid  1  contact angle at the liquid repellent surface of the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  is 70 degrees or more, and preferably 90 degrees or more. 
         [0090]      FIG. 9  is a principal parts enlarged drawing of the liquid recovery portion  21 . 
         [0091]    Provided on the liquid recovery portion  21  are a gas-liquid separator  60  connected to recovery tube  22  and a vacuum system  68  that is connected to that gas-liquid separator  60  via a discharge tube  69  and that has a mass flow controller, a vacuum pump, and the like. Here, as described above, in addition to the liquid  1  on the substrate P, the surrounding gas is also recovered from recovery port  23 . The gas-liquid separator  60  separates the liquid and gas recovered from recovery port  23 . The gas-liquid separator  60  is provided with a tank  61  and a separation tube  62  that is provided inside the tank  61  and connects with recovery tube  22 . The upper part of the tank  61  is connected to the vacuum system  68 , and a discharge tube portion  63  is provided on the lower portion of the tank  61 . A valve  64  that opens and closes the channel of the discharge tube portion  63  is provided on this discharge tube portion  63 . 
         [0092]    Note that the separator  60  may be provided on the plurality of the respective first through fourth recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D, or, it may be a configuration in which the plurality of the first through fourth recovery tubes  22 A to  22 D are assembled, the separator  60  is provided on this assembled tube. 
         [0093]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged drawing of the separator tube  62  as seen from the bottom. 
         [0094]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the separator tube  62  is bent in a vortex shape (spiral shape), and a plurality of slit-shaped hole portions  65  are formed at prescribed intervals on the lower surface thereof. Therefore, when the vacuum system  68  is driven, a negative pressure is applied to the tank  61  and the recovery tube  22 , and the liquid  1  on the substrate P is recovered along with the gas in the vicinity thereof via recovery port  23 . The liquid and gas recovered from recovery port  23  flow into the separator tube  62  provided within the tank  61  via the recovery tube  22 . By flowing through the separator tube  62 , the liquid  1  drops via the hole portion  65  due to gravitational action and is collected in the lower portion of the tank  61 . Note that by operating valve  64  to open the discharge tube portion  63 , the liquid  1  that has collected in the tank  61  can be discharged to the outside. On the other hand, the gas is sucked in by a vacuum system  68  via the discharge tube  69  connected to the upper portion of the tank  61 . In this way, by separating the liquid and the gas recovered by means of the gas-liquid separator  60 , liquid  1  does not flow into the vacuum system  68  that has a vacuum pump, etc., so it is possible to prevent inconvenience such as the malfunction of that vacuum pump. Note that the vacuum system of the plant in which the exposure apparatus EX is installed may be used without providing a vacuum pump on the vacuum system  68 . 
         [0095]    Next, a method in which the aforementioned exposure apparatus EX is used to expose the image of the pattern on the mask M onto the substrate P will be explained. 
         [0096]    Here, the exposure apparatus EX in this embodiment projection-exposes the pattern image of the mask M on the substrate P while moving the mask M and the substrate P in the X axis direction (scanning direction). During scanning exposure, the pattern image of a portion of the mask M is projected onto the rectangular projection region AR 1  under the tip portion of the projection optical system PL, and in synchronization with the mask M moving in the −X direction (or the +X direction) at a velocity V with respect to the projection optical system PL, the substrate P moves in the +X direction (or the −X direction) at a velocity β·V (where β is the projection magnification) by means of the XY stage  53 . A plurality of shot regions are set on the substrate, and after exposure to one shot region has been completed, the next shot region moves to the scanning start position by means of the stepping movement of the substrate P. Thereafter the scanning exposure process for the respective shot regions is sequentially performed while moving the substrate P by a step and scan system. 
         [0097]    When the scanning exposure process is performed, the control apparatus CONT drives the liquid supply mechanism  10  and starts the operation of liquid supply onto the substrate P. The liquid  1  that is respectively sent from the first and second liquid supply portions  11 ,  12  of the liquid supply mechanism  10  is supplied onto the substrate P via supply channels  82 A,  82 B formed within the channel formation member  30  after flowing through the supply tubes  11 A,  12 A. 
         [0098]    For example, the liquid  1  sent from the second liquid supply portion  12  expands, after flowing through the second supply tube  12 A, in the horizontal direction (Y axis direction) by flowing through the buffer space portion  90  formed so that it gradually widens in the horizontal direction. Here, because the bank portion  44  is formed on the channel downstream side of the buffer space portion  90 , the liquid  1  that has been sent from the second liquid supply portion  12  is reserved for a time in the buffer space portion  90 . The liquid  1  flows to the supply hole portion  16  via the narrow channel portion  91  after a prescribed amount or more has reserved in the buffer space portion  90  (after the level of the liquid  1  has reached at least the height of the bank portion  44 ). In this way the supply of liquid  1  to supply port  14  is started. Through this, the liquid  1  that has flowed out from the buffer space portion  90  is supplied nearly uniformly onto the substrate P from the slit-shaped supply port  14 , which has the Y axis direction as the lengthwise direction. That is, if the narrow channel  91  (the bank portion  44 ) is not formed, the flow volume of the liquid  1  that has flowed through tapered groove portion  18  would be such that the center portion of the width direction of tapered groove portion  18  is larger than that of the end portion, so there would be cases in which the liquid supply volume going onto the substrate P becomes non-uniform at the respective positions of the supply port  14 , which has the Y axis direction as the lengthwise direction. However, by providing the narrow channel  91  so that the supply of liquid to the supply port  14  starts after the prescribed volume or more of liquid  1  is reserved, the liquid  1  is supplied onto the substrate P at a nearly uniform liquid supply volume at the respective positions of the approximately arc-shaped supply port  14 , which has the Y axis direction as the lengthwise direction. Similarly, the supply of the liquid  1  that has been sent out from the first liquid supply portion  11  to the supply port  13  is also started after a prescribed amount or more has reserved in the buffer space portion  90 , so it is supplied nearly uniformly onto the substrate P from the slit-shaped supply port  13 . In addition, even after the start of the supply from the supply ports  13 ,  14 , the liquid  1  continues to flow to the supply ports  13 ,  14  via the buffer space portion  90 , so it is possible to continue the supply of liquid onto the substrate P at a uniform volume at the respective positions of the supply ports  13 ,  14 . 
         [0099]    Here, bubbles tend to remain, for example, at the start of supply, in the vicinity of the corner portion  92  of the supply channel  82 B ( 82 A), but by narrowing the supply channel  82 B in the vicinity of this corner portion  92 , the liquid  1  that flows through the narrow flow portion  91  can be made to flow at a high rate, and the bubbles can be discharged to outside the supply channel  82 B via supply port  14  by means of this liquid  1  that has been made to flow at high rate. Then, by implementing the liquid immersion exposure operation after the bubbles have been discharged, exposure processing can be performed in a status in which there are no bubbles in the liquid immersion region AR 2 . 
         [0100]    In this embodiment, the liquid mechanism  10  simultaneously performs supply of liquid  1  onto the substrate P from both sides of the projection region AR 1  from the supply ports  13 ,  14 . Through this, the liquid  1  that is supplied onto the substrate P from the supply ports  13 ,  14  expands to wet well between the substrate P and the lower end surface of the optical element  2  of the terminating end portion of the projection optical system PL, and the liquid immersion region AR 2  is formed in a range that is at least wider than the projection region AR 1 . 
         [0101]    In addition, the control apparatus CONT drives the liquid recovery portion  21  of the liquid recovery mechanism  20  and performs the recovery operation of the liquid on the substrate P in parallel with the supply operation of the liquid  1  by the liquid supply mechanism  10 . Through this, the liquid  1  on the substrate P that flows to the outside with respect to the projection region AR 1  from the supply ports  13 ,  14  is recovered from the recovery ports  23 A to  23 D. Since a portion of the recovery channel  84  ( 84 A to  84 D) is also buffer space portion  94  in which an end portion thereof has nearly the same length as the Y axis direction of the recovery port ( 23 A to  23 D) and which is formed in a tapered manner that gradually becomes smaller toward recovery tube  22 , it is possible to recover the liquid  1  on the substrate P at a nearly uniform liquid recovery volume at the respective positions of recovery port  23 . 
         [0102]    While the control apparatus CONT performs the recovery of the liquid  1  on the substrate P in parallel with the supply of liquid  1  to the surface of the substrate P by means of the liquid supply mechanism  10  and the liquid recovery mechanism  20  as it moves the substrate stage PST that supports the substrate P in the X axis direction (scanning direction), it projection-exposes the pattern image of the mask M onto the substrate P via the projection optical system PL and the liquid  1  between the projection optical system PL and the substrate P. 
         [0103]    At this time, the liquid supply mechanism  10  simultaneously performs the supply of the liquid  1  from both sides of the projection region AR 1  in relation to the scanning direction via the supply ports  13 ,  14 , so the liquid immersion region AR 2  is formed uniformly and well. In addition, the liquid recovery mechanism  20  simultaneously performs the recovery of the liquid  1  at a plurality of positions in the surrounding area of the projection region AR 1  including both sides of the scanning direction of the projection region AR 1  via the plurality of recovery ports  23 A to  23 D that surround the projection region AR 1 , so it prevents scattering and outflow of the liquid  1  to the surroundings of the substrate P. 
         [0104]    Note that, in this embodiment, when liquid  1  is supplied to the substrate P from both sides of the scanning direction of the projection region AR 1 , the control apparatus CONT controls the liquid supply operation of the first and second liquid supply portions  11 ,  12  of the liquid supply mechanism  10  so that, in relation to the scanning direction, the supply volume per unit time supplied from in front of the projection region AR 1  is higher than the supply volume of liquid supplied at the opposite side thereof. For example, in the case where exposure processing is performed while moving the substrate P in the +X direction, the control apparatus CONT makes the liquid volume from the −X side (that is, from the supply port  13 ) larger than the liquid volume from the +X side (that is, from the supply port  14 ). On the other hand, in the case where exposure processing is performed while moving the substrate P in the −X direction, it makes the liquid volume from the +X side larger than the liquid volume from the −X side with respect to the projection region AR 1 . Here, there are cases in which, for example, due to the substrate P moving in the +X direction, the liquid volume that moves to the +X side with respect to the projection region AR 1  increases, and the recovery port  23 C, which is provided at a liquid recovery position on the +X side, cannot recover all of the liquid  1 . In any case, the liquid  1  unsuccessfully recovered by the +X side recovery port  23 C is captured at the trap surface  70  provided on the +X side of the liquid recovery position, so it does not flow out and is not dispersed around the substrate P, etc. 
         [0105]    In addition, as described above, because the minute gap  100  is provided between the channel formation member  30  and the optical element  2 , the inconvenience in which the vibration produced by the liquid supply mechanism  10  and the liquid recovery mechanism  20  is transmitted to the projection optical system PL is prevented. However, when this gap is too large, it leads to the entire apparatus becoming larger. In addition, since the supply ports and the recovery ports of the liquid  1  are provided at positions that are away from the projection region AR 1 , there is a possibility that the liquid immersion region AR 2  will not be formed well so that it includes the projection region AR 1 , and the inconvenience of an increase in the amount of liquid used also occurs. Also, due to that large gap, there is a possibility that mixing in of gas (bubbles) to the liquid immersion region AR 2  will occur. Therefore, in this embodiment, the minute gap  100  is provided at a size at which the phenomenon of penetration or permeation of the liquid  1  will be caused. Through this, while it is possible to prevent the apparatus from becoming larger, it is also possible to prevent the inconvenience whereby gas gets into the liquid immersion region AR 2  from the gap. On the other hand, in the case where liquid  1  has penetrated into the minute gap  100 , the penetrated liquid  1  goes into a stagnant status, so the degree of cleanliness drops, and there is a possibility of the occurrence of the inconvenience whereby that liquid  1  of the minute gap  100 , whose degree of cleanliness has dropped, becomes mixed into the liquid immersion region AR 2  during liquid immersion exposure, for example. Therefore, the penetration of the liquid  1  to the minute gap  100  can be prevented by respectively performing water repellence treatment on the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  that form the minute gap  100 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged drawing of the minute gap  100 . 
         [0107]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , since water repellence treatment is performed on the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2 , the rising phenomenon of the liquid  1  of the liquid immersion region AR 2  does not occur, and the liquid  1  of the liquid immersion region AR 2  does not get into the space between the liquid repellence treatment portions  101 A,  101 B. On the other hand, due to the permeation phenomenon, the liquid  1  gets into the space between the non-liquid repellence treatment portions  102 A,  102 B of the minute gap  100 . Due to this liquid  1  that has gotten into the space, the inconvenience whereby gas that is present between the water repellence treatment portions  101 A,  101 B becomes mixed into the liquid immersion region AR 2  is restricted. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 12 , in the case where water repellence treatment is performed up to the lower end portions of the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  that form the minute gap  100 , gas (air) is filled up to the lower end portion of the minute gap  100 , and there is a possibility of the occurrence of the inconvenience whereby the gas (bubbles) of the minute gap  100  gets into the liquid immersion region AR 2  during liquid immersion scanning exposure. Therefore, on the point of prevention of the penetration of liquid  1  to the minute gap  100 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , liquid repellence treatment may be performed up to the lower end portion, but, as in this embodiment, by making the non-liquid repellence treatment portions  102 A,  102 B in the prescribed ranges of the vicinity of the lower end portion of the minute gap  100  which comes into contact with the liquid  1  of the liquid immersion region AR 2  and making it possible to arrange the liquid  1  in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the minute gap  100  with the aid of the permeation phenomenon, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience whereby the gas that is present in the minute gap  100  gets into the liquid immersion region AR 2 . Note that, in  FIG. 11 , the amount of liquid  1  that has gotten into the space between the non-liquid repellence treatment portions  102 A,  102 B is slight, and stagnation does not occur, so liquid  1  with low degree of cleanliness is not mixed into the liquid immersion region AR 2  during liquid immersion exposure. 
         [0108]    Note that, in this embodiment, water repellence treatment is performed on both the inner side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  that form the minute gap  100 , but performing water repellence treatment on at least either one of the surfaces will make it possible to avoid liquid  1  getting into the minute gap  100 . 
         [0109]    As explained above, by supplying the liquid  1  after reserving a prescribed amount or more in the buffer space portion  90 , it is possible to make the flow amount distribution and/or flow rate distribution of the liquid  1  with respect to the supply ports  13 ,  14  even. Therefore, it is possible to evenly supply the liquid  1  from the supply ports  13 ,  14  onto the substrate P. 
         [0110]    In addition, for apparatus space convenience, etc., in the case where it is necessary to form a corner portion  92  at one portion of the supply channel  82 , bubbles tend to remain in the vicinity of this corner portion  92 , but the flow rate of the liquid  1  can be accelerated by narrowing the channel in the vicinity of the corner portion  92 , and the bubbles can be discharged to the exterior via the supply ports  13 ,  14  by means of this high speed flow of the liquid  1 . Also, performing a liquid immersion exposure operation after the bubbles have been discharged makes it possible to prevent mixing of the bubbles from the supply channel  82  into the liquid immersion region AR 2  and to perform exposure processing in a status in which bubbles are not present in the liquid immersion region AR 2 . Particularly, as in this embodiment, narrowing a portion of the supply channel  82  in the vertical direction by means of the bank portion  44  ( 43 ) makes it possible to increase the flow rate of the liquid  1 , which has flowed through the buffer space portion  90  nearly horizontally, to strike that liquid  1  to the corner portion  92  and to remove sufficiently the bubbles in the vicinity of the corner portion  92 . 
         [0111]    Because the channel formation member  30  is a block-shaped member formed by combining the first through third members  31  to  33 , which are plate-shaped members, the channel formation member  30  can absorb the vibration generated, for example, when the liquid  1  is sucked in with gas. Also, because a process such as discharge process was performed on each of the plurality of plate-shaped members  31  to  33  to form a portion of the channel, and the channel of the liquid  1  was formed by combining these members, it is possible to respectively form the supply channel  82  and the recovery channel  84  easily. 
         [0112]    Note that, in this embodiment, the members  31  to  33  that form the channel formation member  30  are square plate-shaped members, but they may also be circular plate-shaped members, or they may be elliptical plate-shaped members which are long in the X axis direction. 
         [0113]    Note that, in this embodiment, the bank portion  44  ( 43 ) is rectangular in a cross-sectional view, but as shown in  FIG. 13 , it may be arc-shaped (curved surface-shaped) in a cross-sectional view. Or, it may be a polygonal shape such as one that is triangular or pentangular in a cross-sectional view. In addition, the effects of the buffer space portion become weaker, but, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the bank portion  44  may be provided on the lower surface of the third member  33 , and the narrow channel portion  91  may be formed between that bank portion  44  and the tapered groove portion  18 . 
         [0114]    In this embodiment, the bank portion  44  is provided in the vicinity of the corner portion  92  of the supply channel  82 , but, as shown in  FIG. 15 , it may be provided at a position that is slightly separated from the corner portion  92 . In the example shown in  FIG. 15 , the bank portion  44  is provided on the channel upstream side from the corner portion  92 . By doing this as well, it is possible to form a buffer space portion  90  on the upstream side of the channel of the bank portion  44 , and it is possible to make the supply of liquid  1  from the supply port  14  ( 13 ) even. On the other hand, providing the bank portion  44  in the vicinity of the corner portion  92  is able to make the flow rate of the liquid  1  at the corner portion  92  high speed, so it is possible to prevent bubbles from remaining in the corner portion  92 . 
         [0115]    In this embodiment, the bank portion  44  ( 43 ) has a uniform height in the lengthwise direction thereof, but there may also be a height distribution as shown in  FIG. 16 . The bank portion  44  shown in  FIG. 16  is such that the height of the center portion in the width direction thereof is higher than both end portions. In the tapered groove portion  18 , the flow volume of the liquid  1  at the center portion of the width direction thereof is greater than the flow volume at the end portion. Accordingly, by raising the center portion of the bank portion  44  in the width direction and making the center portion of the narrow channel portion  91  in the width direction narrower than that of both ends, it is possible to supply liquid  1  more evenly onto the substrate P via the supply port  14 . 
         [0116]    Note that it is desirable that the bank portion  44  ( 43 ) be provided along the entire width direction of the supply channel  82 , but it may also be provided on a portion thereof. Or it may also be a configuration in which a plurality of divided bank portions is discontinuously arranged (in island shapes). By doing this as well, the channel narrows, so it is possible to make the flow rate of the liquid  1  high speed, and it is possible to discharge the bubbles that are present in the supply channel  82  to the outside. 
         [0117]    Note that the bank portion (narrow channel portion) may be formed in the recovery channel  84  that recovers the liquid  1  on the substrate P. Through this, it is possible to evenly recover the liquid  1  on the substrate P from the slit-shaped recovery port  23 . 
         [0118]    Note that, in this embodiment, the supply channel  82  that constitutes a portion of the liquid supply mechanism  10  and recovery channel  84  that constitutes a portion of the liquid recovery mechanism  20  are respectively provided as a unit inside the channel formation portion  30 , but, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the supply channel  82  and the recovery channel  84  may also be formed by mutually different members. In  FIG. 17 , a first supply member  120  that forms a supply channel  82 A is provided on the −X side of the projection optical system PL (optical element  2 ), and a second supply member  121  that forms a supply channel  82 B is provided on the +X side. The respective first and second supply members  120 ,  121  have tapered groove portions  17 ,  18  and bank portions  43 ,  44 , and liquid  1  is supplied onto the substrate P by means of supply ports  13 ,  14  that are approximately arc-shaped in a planar view. In addition, the first and third recovery members  122 ,  124  that form recovery channels  84 A,  84 C are provided at the −X side and +X side of the projection optical system PL respectively, and the second and fourth recovery members  123 ,  125  that form recovery channels  84 B,  84 D are provided at the −Y side and +Y side respectively. The respective first through fourth recovery members  122  to  125  recover the liquid  1  on the substrate P by means of recovery ports  23 A to  23 D, which are arc-shaped in a planar view. In this case as well, in addition to a minute gap  100  being formed between the inner side surfaces  120 T,  121 T of the first and second supply member  120 ,  121 , which constitute the liquid supply mechanism, and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2 , a minute gap  100  is also formed between the inner side surfaces  123 T,  125 T of the second and fourth recovery member  123 ,  125 , which constitute the liquid recovery mechanism, and the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2 . Then, liquid repellence treatment is respectively performed on the inner side surfaces  120 T,  121 T,  123 T  125 T and the side surface  2 T. 
         [0119]    Note that, in this embodiment, the supply ports  13 ,  14 , which are arranged so as to oppose the substrate P, and the supply hole portions  15 ,  16  connected thereto are vertically provided with respect to the surface of the substrate P, and the liquid  1  is supplied to the substrate P from the vertical direction, but supply port  14  and supply hole portion  16  may be formed so that the liquid  1  is supplied to the substrate P from the diagonal direction. In other words, the corner portion  92  may have a configuration that changes the direction of the fluid  1 , which has flowed through the buffer space portion  90  in the horizontal direction, to the vertical direction, and it may also have a configuration that changes to a diagonal direction toward the substrate P. In this case as well, after reserving a prescribed amount of liquid  1  in the buffer space portion  90 , the liquid  1  is supplied to the substrate P via the narrow channel portion  91 , and it is possible to supply the liquid  1  from slit-shaped supply port  14  onto the substrate P while suppressing the generation of bubbles. 
         [0120]    Note that the channel formation member  30  is provided in the vicinity of the optical element  2  of the terminating end portion of the projection optical system PL via the minute gap  100 , but in the case where the tip side surface of the optical element  2  is covered by the member that holds the optical element  2 , liquid repellence treatment should be performed on at least one of the side surface of that member or the side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30 . 
         [0121]    In addition, in the above embodiment, the side surface  30 T of the channel formation member  30  is arranged so as to oppose the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2 , but in the case where a different member is in opposition to the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2 , liquid repellence treatment (making liquid repellent) should be performed on at least one of side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  or the surface (side surface) of the different member in opposition thereto. 
         [0122]    In addition, in the above embodiment, liquid repellence treatment (making liquid repellent) is performed on at least one of the side surface  2 T of the optical element  2  of the terminating end of the projection optical system PL and the side surface of the member in opposition thereto, but as is disclosed in PCT International Publication No. WO2004/019128, for example, in the case where the space of the optical path of the mask M side of the optical element of the terminating end of the projection optical system PL is filled with liquid, by performing liquid repellence treatment on at least one of the side surface of the optical element arranged on the mask M side with respect to the terminating end optical element from among the plurality of optical elements constituting the projection optical system PL and the surface (side surface) of the member in opposition thereto, it is possible to prevent liquid from getting into that gap and/or to prevent liquid from remaining in that gap. As far as is permitted by the law of the country specified or selected in this patent application, the disclosures in PCT International Publication No. WO2004/019128 are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0123]    Note that, in this embodiment, the supply ports are formed in a slit shape that has a prescribed length, but it may also be a divided supply port that is plurally divided by a plurality of partition members for example, it may have a configuration in which a plurality of straight tube portions are arrayed, or it may have a configuration in which a straight tube and a slit-shaped supply port are combined. In addition, a porous body such as a sponge-shaped member may also be provided on the supply port. Similarly, a partition member may also be provided on the recovery port, and it may be formed with a plurality of straight tube portions. In addition, a porous body and a partition member or a straight tube portion may be provided on the channel of the supply channel  82  of the channel formation member  30 . 
         [0124]    Note that, in this embodiment, the configuration is one in which the supply ports  13 ,  14  of the liquid supply mechanism  10  are provided only on both sides of the scanning direction (X axis direction) with respect to the projection region AR 1 , but separate supply ports may be provided on both sides of the non-scanning direction (Y axis direction), and this plurality of supply ports may be combined to perform liquid supply. Or, the supply ports may be provided in a ring shape to completely surround the projection region AR 1 . 
         [0125]    Note that, in this embodiment, the configuration is one in which a trap surface  70  is provided only on both sides of the scanning direction of the projection region AR 1  on the lower surface of the first member  31 , but there may also be a configuration in which it is provided in the non-scanning direction with respect to the projection region AR 1 . On the other hand, because the liquid  1  flows out easily on both sides of the scanning direction, even if it is a configuration in which a trap surface  70  is provided only on both sides of the scanning direction of the projection region AR 1 , it is possible to capture well the liquid  1  that is attempting to flow out. In addition, it is not necessary for the trap surface  70  to be a flat surface, for example, it may be of a shape in which a plurality of flat surfaces is combined. Or, the trap surface  70  may have a curved surface shape, and surface area expansion processing, specifically rough surface processing, may also be performed. 
         [0126]    Note that, in the above embodiment, it is possible to perform lyophilic processing on the surface of the channels of the liquid supply mechanism  10  and the liquid recovery mechanism  20  through which the liquid  1  flows. In particular, by performing lyophilic processing on the recovery channel  84  that includes recovery port  23  of the liquid recovery mechanism  20 , it is possible to perform liquid recovery smoothly. In addition, it is also possible to perform lyophilic processing to the supply ports and the supply channels of the liquid supply mechanism  10 . 
         [0127]    In the above embodiment, the liquid  1  is comprised of pure water. Pure water has advantages in that it can be easily obtained in large quantity at semiconductor manufacturing plants, etc. and in that it has no adverse effects on the photoresist on the substrate P or on the optical elements (lenses), etc. In addition, pure water has no adverse effects on the environment and contains very few impurities, so one can also expect an action whereby the surface of the substrate P and the surface of the optical element provided on the front end surface of the projection optical system PL are cleaned. 
         [0128]    In addition, the index of refraction n of pure water (water) with respect to exposure light EL with a wavelength of 193 nm is nearly 1.44, so in the case where ArF excimer laser light (193 nm wavelength) is used as the light source of the exposure light EL, it is possible to shorten the wavelength to 1/n, that is, approximately 134 nm on the substrate P, to obtain high resolution. Also, the depth of focus is expanded by approximately n times, that is approximately 1.44 times, compared with it being in air, so in the case where it would be permissible to ensure the same level of depth of focus as the case in which it is used in air, it is possible to further increase the numerical aperture of the projection optical system PL, and resolution improves on this point as well. 
         [0129]    In this embodiment, an optical element  2  is attached to the tip end of the projection optical system PL, and this lens can be used to adjust the optical characteristics, for example, the aberration (spherical aberration, coma aberration, etc.), of the projection optical system PL. Note that an optical plate used for the adjustment of the optical characteristics of the projection optical system PL may also be used as the optical element attached to the tip end of the projection optical system PL. Or, it may also be a plane-parallel plate through which the exposure light EL is able to pass. 
         [0130]    Note that in the case where the pressure between the substrate P and the optical element of the tip end of the projection optical system PL arising from the flow of the liquid  1  is large, it is permissible to make that optical element not one that is replaceable but one that is firmly secured so that the optical element does not move due to that pressure. 
         [0131]    Note that, in this embodiment, the configuration is one in which a liquid  1  is filled between the projection optical system PL and the surface of the substrate P, but it may also be a configuration in which the liquid  1  is filled in a status in which cover glass consisting of plane-parallel plate is attached to the surface of the substrate P, for example. 
         [0132]    Note that the liquid  1  of this embodiment is water, but it may be a liquid other than water. For example, if the light source of the exposure light EL is an F 2  laser, this F 2  laser light will not pass through water, so the liquid  1  may be, for example, a fluorocarbon oil or a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) fluorocarbon fluid that an F 2  laser is able to pass through. In addition, it is also possible to use, as the liquid  1 , liquids that have the transmittance with respect to the exposure light EL and whose refractive index are as high as possible and that are stable with respect to the photoresist coated on the projection optical system PL and the surface of the substrate P (for example, cedar oil). 
         [0133]    In this case as well, surface treatment is performed according to the polarity of the liquid  1  used. 
         [0134]    Applicable as the substrate P of the aforementioned respective embodiments are not only a semiconductor wafer for the manufacture of semiconductor devices but glass substrates for display devices, ceramic wafers for thin film magnetic heads, original plates (synthetic quartz, silicon wafer) of masks or reticles used in exposure apparatuses, and the like. 
         [0135]    Applicable as the exposure apparatus EX are, in addition to step and scan system scanning exposure apparatuses (scanning steppers) that move the mask M and the substrate P in synchronization and scan-expose the pattern of a mask M, step and repeat system projection exposure apparatuses (steppers) that exposes the pattern on the mask M all at once in a status in which the mask M and the substrate P have been made stationary and sequentially step-move the substrate P. In addition, the present invention is also applicable to step and switch system exposure apparatuses that partially overlay and transfer at least two patterns on the substrate P. 
         [0136]    In addition, the present invention can also be applied to twin stage exposure apparatuses that separately mount the substrate to be treated, such as a wafer, and are provided with two independently movable stages in the XY direction. The structure and the exposure operation of the twin stage exposure apparatus are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H10-163099, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H10-214783 (corresponding U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,341,007, 6,400,441, 6,549,269 and 6,590,634), Published Japanese Translation No. 2000-505958 of the PCT International Application (corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,441), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,407. As far as is permitted, the disclosures in the above-mentioned Japan patent applications and the U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0137]    The types of exposure apparatuses EX are not limited to exposure apparatuses for semiconductor element manufacture that exposes a semiconductor element pattern onto a substrate P but are also widely applicable to exposure apparatuses for the manufacture of liquid crystal display elements and for the manufacture of displays, and exposure apparatuses for the manufacture of thin film magnetic heads, image pickup elements (CCD) and reticles or masks. 
         [0138]    In the case where a linear motor is used in the substrate stage PST or the mask stage MST, an air floating type that uses air bearings or a magnetic levitation type that uses Lorentz&#39;s force or reactance force may be used. In addition, the respective stages PST, MST may be the types that move along a guide or may be the guideless type in which a guide is not provided. Examples that use a linear motor for the stage are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,623,853 and 5,528,118. As far as is permitted, the disclosures in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,623,853 and 5,528,118 are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0139]    For the drive mechanisms of the respective stages PST, MST, a planar motor that places in opposition a magnet unit that two-dimensionally arranges magnets and an armature unit that arranges coils two-dimensionally and drives the respective stages PST, MST by electromagnetic force may be used. In such a case, either the magnet unit or the armature unit is connected to the stage PST, MST, and the other from among the magnet unit and the armature unit may be provided on the moving surface side of the stage PST, MST. 
         [0140]    The reaction force generated by the movement of the substrate stage PST may be caused to mechanically escape to the floor (ground) using a frame member so that it is not transmitted to the projection optical system PL. This reaction force handling method is disclosed in detail in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,118 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H8-166475). As far as is permitted, the disclosures in the above-mentioned U.S. patents, as well as the Japan Patent Applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0141]    The reaction force generated by the movement of the MASK stage MST may be caused to mechanically escape to the floor (ground) using a frame member so that it is not transmitted to the projection optical system PL. This reaction force handling method is disclosed in detail in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,820 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H8-330224). As far as is permitted, the disclosures in the above-mentioned U.S. patents, as well as the Japan Patent Applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0142]    The exposure apparatus EX of this embodiment is manufactured by assembling various subsystems, including the respective constituent elements presented in the Scope of patents Claims of the present application, so that the prescribed mechanical precision, electrical precision and optical precision can be maintained. To ensure these respective precisions, performed before and after this assembly are adjustments for achieving optical precision with respect to the various optical systems, adjustments for achieving mechanical precision with respect to the various mechanical systems, and adjustments for achieving electrical precision with respect to the various electrical systems. 
         [0143]    The process of assembly from the various subsystems to the exposure apparatus includes mechanical connections, electrical circuit wiring connections, air pressure circuit piping connections, etc. among the various subsystems. Obviously, before the process of assembly from these various subsystems to the exposure apparatus, there are the processes of individual assembly of the respective subsystems. When the process of assembly to the exposure apparatuses of the various subsystems has ended, overall assembly is performed, and the various precisions are ensured for the exposure apparatus as a whole. Note that it is preferable that the manufacture of the exposure apparatus be performed in a clean room in which the temperature, the degree of cleanliness, etc. are controlled. 
         [0144]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , microdevices such as semiconductor devices are manufactured by going through a step  201  that performs microdevice function and performance design, a step  202  that creates the mask (reticle) based on this design step, a step  203  that manufactures the substrate that is the device base material, a substrate processing step  204  that exposes the pattern on the mask onto a substrate by means of the exposure apparatus EX of the aforementioned embodiment, a device assembly step (including the dicing process, bonding process and packaging process)  205 , an inspection step  206 , etc. 
         [0145]    The present invention is an exposure apparatus that, by forming a liquid immersion region on a portion of the substrate and projecting the pattern image onto the substrate via the liquid that forms the liquid immersion region and a projection optical system, exposes the substrate, it is provided with a liquid supply mechanism that has a supply port arranged to oppose the surface of the substrate, a buffer space is formed in the channel of the liquid supply mechanism, and supply of the liquid to the supply port is started after reserving a prescribed amount or more of liquid in the buffer space, so it is possible to evenly supply liquid onto the substrate while preventing mixing in of bubbles and impurities, and it is therefore possible to prevent deterioration of the pattern image and perform exposure with good accuracy.