Patent Publication Number: US-2010118285-A1

Title: Exposure apparatus, substrate processing apparatus, lithography system, and device manufacturing method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus, a substrate processing apparatus, a lithography system including the exposure apparatus and the substrate processing apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a device using the exposure apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A lithography process for manufacturing a semiconductor device can include a coating process, exposure process, and development process. In the coating process, a substrate such as a wafer or a glass plate is coated with a photoresist (resist). In the exposure process, the substrate coated with the photoresist is exposed to radiant energy such as light to form a latent pattern in the coated photoresist. In the development process, the exposed substrate is developed to form a pattern of a mask, to be used for a later process, from the exposed photoresist. A coating and developing apparatus typically performs the coating process and the development process. A substrate coated with a photoresist by the coating and developing apparatus can be conveyed to and exposed by an exposure apparatus. After that, the substrate can be again returned to and developed by the coating and developing apparatus. 
     If the substrate has a nonuniform temperature distribution, this generates strain in the substrate. Strain of the substrate makes it impossible to form a pattern having a target line width on the substrate, and, additionally, lowers the overlay accuracy regardless of how excellent the resolution of a projection optical system of an exposure apparatus is. 
     Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-83756 relates to a temperature regulating apparatus. This patent reference describes that the temperature regulating apparatus measures the temperature of a temperature regulating means, and determines the substrate temperature regulation time based on the measured temperature. 
     Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-142386 relates to a substrate temperature regulating apparatus which regulates a substrate to have a final target controlled temperature by bringing the substrate temperature close to a control target temperature. This patent reference describes that the substrate temperature regulating apparatus changes the control target temperature by taking account of the substrate temperature. 
     Note that a substrate whose temperature is largely different from a target temperature may be conveyed to the substrate temperature regulating apparatus described in each of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2002-83756 and 2003-142386. When a substrate having such a temperature is conveyed, it takes a long time to regulate its temperature. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the aspects of the present invention provides an exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to radiant energy, the substrate being conveyed from a processing apparatus including a coater that coats the substrate with a photoresist and an auxiliary regulator that regulates a temperature of the substrate, the exposure apparatus comprising a measurement device configured to measure the temperature of the substrate, a main regulator configured to regulate a temperature of the substrate prior to exposure of the substrate based on an output from the measurement device, and a controller configured to determine temperature control information used to control regulation of the temperature of the substrate in the auxiliary regulator based on the output from the measurement device, and to transmit the determined temperature control information to the processing apparatus. 
     Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view showing the schematic arrangement of a substrate temperature regulating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a graph illustrating changes in temperature of a substrate and a plate of a temperature regulating unit; 
         FIG. 3  is a graph illustrating changes in temperature of a substrate and the plate of the temperature regulating unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a lithography system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the schematic arrangement of an exposure unit in an exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a lithography system according to an embodiment of the present invention from an aspect different from that in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view showing the schematic arrangement of a substrate temperature regulating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A substrate temperature regulating apparatus TR shown in  FIG. 1  includes a temperature regulating unit  1  which regulates the temperature of a substrate (e.g., a wafer or a glass plate)  6 . The temperature regulating unit  1  includes, for example, a plate  2 , temperature regulating elements (e.g., Peltier elements)  3 , and a heat radiating layer  4 . The temperature regulating elements  3  regulate the temperature of the substrate  6  through the plate  2 . The heat radiating layer  4  dissipates heat generated by the temperature regulating elements  3 . The temperature regulating unit  1  can be supported by, for example, a support body  13 . The substrate temperature regulating apparatus TR also includes a measurement device (temperature sensor)  5  which measures the temperature of the substrate  6 . The measurement device  5  can be embedded in, for example, the plate  2 . 
     The temperature regulating element  3  has a first surface (upper surface) bonded to the plate  2 , and a second surface (lower surface) bonded to the heat radiating layer  4 . Heat dissipated by the temperature regulating element  3  is exhausted outside the temperature regulating unit  1  by the fluid flowing through a heat radiating pipe  12  inserted in the heat radiating layer  4 . In this embodiment, a plurality of temperature regulating elements  3  are arrayed in one plane. The plate  2  has an effect of uniforming the temperature distribution within the plane in which the plurality of temperature regulating elements  3  are arrayed. 
     The substrate temperature regulating apparatus TR can include a lift mechanism which lifts/lowers the substrate  6 . The lift mechanism includes, for example, a plurality of (e.g., three) lift pins  7 , a pin support table  8 , and a driving mechanism DM. The lift pins  7  penetrate through the temperature regulating unit  1 . The pin support table  8  supports the plurality of lift pins  7 . The driving mechanism DM lifts/lowers the plurality of lift pins  7  by lifting/lowering the pin support table  8 . The driving mechanism DM includes, for example, a feed screw mechanism  9 , motor  11 , and linear guide  10 . The feed screw mechanism  9  includes a movable portion connected to the pin support table  8 . The motor  11  rotates the screw of the feed screw mechanism  9 . The linear guide  10  guides the movable portion of the feed screw mechanism  9 . 
     The substrate  6  is mounted on the plurality of lift pins  7  while they project from the plate  2 . The substrate  6  is supported by the plate  2  after the plurality of lift pins  7  lower. In removing the substrate  6  from the position on the plate  2 , the plurality of lift pins  7  lift so as to form a gap between the lower surface of the substrate  6  and the upper surface of the plate  2 . The driving mechanism DM drives the lift pins  7  in this way. 
     The lower surface of the substrate  6  may directly come into contact with the surface of the plate  2 . Alternatively, a small gap (clearance) may be formed between the substrate  6  and the plate  2  by setting minute pins or proximity balls on the plate  2 . 
     A case in which the temperature of the substrate  6  is higher than that of the plate  2  will be considered as one example. Upon mounting the substrate  6  on the plate  2 , heat in the substrate  6  gradually transfers to the plate  2 , so the temperature of the plate  2  rises. The measurement device  5  measures a rise in temperature of the plate  2 . A compensator (not shown) PID-controls the temperature regulating elements  3  so that the output from the measurement device  5 , which represents the temperature of the plate  2 , becomes constant. If the temperature regulating elements  3  are Peltier elements, the compensator can PID-control the value of a current supplied to the Peltier elements. When the Peltier elements deprive the plate  2  of heat, the temperature of the substrate  6  converges within a target temperature range, together with that of the plate  2 . 
       FIG. 2  is a graph illustrating changes in temperature of the substrate  6  and plate  2 . In this graph, the abscissa indicates the elapsed time, and the ordinate indicates the temperature. An elapsed time t=0 on the abscissa corresponds to the time when the substrate  6  is mounted on the plate  2  of the temperature regulating unit  1 . A temperature T 0  on the ordinate is both the target temperature of the substrate  6 , and the temperature of the plate  2  the moment the substrate  6  is mounted on the plate  2 . A temperature Tw 1  is the temperature of the substrate  6  immediately before it is mounted on the plate  2 . After the substrate  6  is mounted on the plate  2 , heat in the substrate  6  gradually transfers to the plate  2 . When an elapsed time t=t1 sec, the temperature of the plate  2  has risen up to a maximum temperature Tp. After that, the temperatures of the plate  2  and substrate  6  gradually drop. The substrate  6  has been mounted on the plate  2  for a time longer than a time t=tm [sec] elapsed until the temperature of the substrate  6  falls within a target temperature range T 0 ±Twm [°]. The temperature regulation of the substrate  6  can thus be completed. 
     Such a change in temperature of the plate  2  is determined by, for example, the initial temperature Tw 1  of the substrate  6 , the initial temperature T 0  of the plate  2 , the heat transfer between the substrate  6  and the plate  2 , and the absorption of heat in the temperature regulating elements  3  from the lower surface of the plate  2 . That is, a change in temperature of the plate  2  can be estimated by measuring a temperature Tpa of the plate  2  to [sec] after the substrate  6  is mounted on the plate  2 . This makes it possible to measure (estimate) the initial temperature Tw 1  of the substrate  6  based on the graph of a change in temperature of the plate  2 . This, in turn, makes it possible to determine the time tm until the temperature of the substrate  6  falls within the target temperature range T 0 ±Twm [°]. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates changes in temperature of the substrate  6  and the plate  2  when a substrate  6  having a temperature Tw 1 ′ (&lt;Tw 1 ) is mounted on the plate  2 . The temperature behavior is the same as in the case of  FIG. 3  when the temperature of the substrate  6  is Tw 1 . That is, when an elapsed time t=0, a substrate temperature=Tw 1 ′ and a plate temperature=T 0 . After the substrate  6  is mounted on the plate  2 , heat in the substrate  6  gradually transfers to the plate  2 . At t=t1′ sec, the temperature of the plate  2  has risen up to a maximum temperature Tp′. After that, the temperatures of the plate  2  and substrate  6  gradually drop. However, the time until the temperature of the substrate  6  falls within the target temperature range T 0 ±Twm [°] in this case is shorter than that when the temperature of the substrate  6  is Tw 1  [°]; the temperature of the substrate  6  falls within the target temperature range T 0 ±Twm after a time t=tm′ [sec]. 
     Such a change in temperature of the plate  2  is determined by, for example, the initial temperature Tw 1 ′ of the substrate  6 , the initial temperature T 0  of the plate  2 , the heat transfer between the substrate  6  and the plate  2 , and the absorption of heat in the temperature regulating elements  3  from the lower surface of the plate  2 , in the same manner as above. Hence, a change in temperature of the plate  2  can be estimated by measuring a temperature Tpa′ of the plate  2  to [sec] after the substrate  6  is mounted on the plate  2 . This makes it possible to measure (estimate) the initial temperature Tw 1 ′ of the substrate  6  based on a change in temperature of the plate  2 . This, in turn, makes it possible to determine the time tm′ until the temperature of the substrate  6  falls within the target temperature range T 0 ±Twm [°]. The same applies to a case in which the initial temperature Tw 1 ′ of the substrate  6  is lower than the initial temperature T 0  of the plate  2 . Thus, the substrate temperature regulation time can be determined by measuring the temperature of the plate  2  the time to [sec] after the plate  2  is mounted on the plate  2 . 
     In this manner, the temperature of the substrate  6  can be estimated by measuring the temperature of the plate  2  a predetermined time after the substrate  6  is mounted on the plate  2 . This makes it possible to determine the temperature regulation time required for each substrate  6 . This, in turn, makes it possible to maximize the processing efficiency of the substrate  6 , and to reliably regulate the temperature of the substrate  6 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a lithography system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This lithography system includes a coating and developing apparatus  20  and exposure apparatus  24 . The coating and developing apparatus  20  includes a coater  14  and developer  19 . The coater  14  coats a substrate to be conveyed to the exposure apparatus  24  with a photoresist (resist). The developer  19  develops the substrate exposed by the exposure apparatus  24 . The coating and developing apparatus  20  exemplifies a substrate processing apparatus including the coater  14  which coats a substrate with a photoresist. 
     The exposure apparatus  24  projects the pattern of an original (which can also be called a reticle or a mask) onto a substrate (e.g., a wafer or a glass plate) by a projection optical system to expose the substrate. 
     The coating and developing apparatus  20  includes an auxiliary temperature regulating apparatus  15  and auxiliary temperature controller  16 . The auxiliary temperature regulating apparatus  15  can have the same arrangement as that of, for example, the substrate temperature regulating apparatus TR shown in  FIG. 1 . The auxiliary temperature regulating apparatus  15  regulates the temperature of a substrate  6  to be conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20  to the exposure apparatus  24  via an interface unit  21  along a conveyance route  22   a . Note that the auxiliary temperature controller  16  controls substrate temperature regulation in a temperature regulating unit (auxiliary temperature regulator)  1  of the auxiliary temperature regulating apparatus  15  based on temperature control information transmitted from a main temperature controller  17  of the exposure apparatus  24 . The interface unit  21  feeds a substrate coated with a photoresist in order to convey it to the exposure apparatus  24  along the conveyance route  22   a , and receives the exposed substrate conveyed from the exposure apparatus  24  along a conveyance route  22   b.    
     The exposure apparatus  24  includes a measurement device  60  and exposure unit  25 . The measurement device  60  measures the characteristics of the substrate conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20  along the conveyance route  22   a . The exposure unit  25  exposes the substrate while controlling it based on the measurement result obtained by the measurement device  60 . The exposure unit  25  projects the pattern of an original onto a substrate (e.g., a wafer or a glass plate) by a projection optical system to expose the substrate. The exposure apparatus  24  may also be configured to parallelly perform a measurement process of one substrate by the measurement device  60 , and an exposure process of another substrate by the exposure unit  25 . Such an exposure apparatus can include at least two substrate stages. 
     The exposure apparatus  24  includes a main temperature regulating apparatus  18  and the main temperature controller  17 . The main temperature regulating apparatus  18  can have the same arrangement as that of, for example, the substrate temperature regulating apparatus TR shown in  FIG. 1 . A temperature regulating unit (main temperature regulator)  1  of the main temperature regulating apparatus  18  regulates the temperature of a substrate prior to its exposure by the exposure unit  25 . The main temperature controller  17  transmits temperature control information to the auxiliary temperature controller  16  of the coating and developing apparatus  20  to control substrate temperature regulation in the temperature regulating unit (auxiliary temperature regulator)  1  of the auxiliary temperature regulating apparatus  15 . The temperature control information is determined based on the output (information representing the substrate temperature) from the measurement device  5  of the main temperature regulating apparatus  18 . The main temperature controller  17  also controls the temperature regulating unit (main temperature regulator)  1  of the main temperature regulating apparatus  18  based on the output from the measurement device  5  of the main temperature regulating apparatus  18  to regulate the substrate temperature to fall within a target temperature range. The substrate temperature regulation time in the temperature regulating unit (main temperature regulator)  1  of the main temperature regulating apparatus  18  is determined for each substrate so that the substrate temperature falls within a target temperature range T 0 ±Twm [°]. 
     The exposure apparatus  24  includes an interface unit  23 . The interface unit  23  receives a substrate conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20  along the conveyance route  22   a , and feeds the exposed substrate in order to convey it to the coating and developing apparatus  20  along the conveyance route  22   b . A substrate conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20  along the conveyance route  22   a  is supplied to the main temperature regulating apparatus  18  via the interface unit  23 . 
     The main temperature controller  17  and auxiliary temperature controller  16  typically include communication interfaces, and can communicate with each other via their communication interfaces. The communication may also be done using a network such as a LAN. The main temperature controller  17  includes at least a transmitter which transmits temperature control information to the auxiliary temperature controller  16 . The auxiliary temperature controller  16  includes at least a receiver which receives the temperature control information transmitted from the main temperature controller  17 . The temperature control information can be determined based on, for example, a target temperature and the output from the measurement device  5  of the main temperature regulating apparatus  18 . 
     As is well known to those skilled in the art, transmitting information from a first apparatus to a second apparatus includes transmitting information from the first apparatus to the second apparatus via one or a plurality of apparatuses. 
     The temperature regulating unit (main temperature regulator)  1  of the main temperature regulating apparatus  18  of the exposure apparatus  24  regulates the temperatures of a plurality of substrates  6 . After that, an initial temperature Tw 1 ′ of the substrate  6  conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20  can be estimated. The initial temperature Tw 1 ′ can be estimated based on, for example, a temperature Tpa′ of the plate  2 , as described above. 
     Let Twi be the initial temperature of the substrate  6  conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20  (the estimated temperature of the substrate  6 , conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20 , immediately before the main temperature regulating apparatus  18  regulates the temperature of the substrate  6 ). Then, the main temperature controller  17  can estimate the initial temperature Twi of the substrate  6 , conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20 , by statistically processing temperatures Tpa′ of the plate  2  measured by the measurement device  5  for the plurality of substrates  6 , respectively. The main temperature controller  17  can calculate the difference between the initial temperature Twi and a target temperature range T 0 , that is, an offset value Twofs of the initial temperature of the substrate  6 , conveyed from the coating and developing apparatus  20 , with respect to a target temperature. The main temperature controller  17  preferably transmits information including the offset value Twofs to the auxiliary temperature controller  16  of the coating and developing apparatus  20  as temperature control information. 
     The auxiliary temperature controller  16  of the coating and developing apparatus  20  controls the temperature regulating unit (auxiliary temperature regulator)  1  of the auxiliary temperature regulating apparatus  15  based on the temperature control information including the temperature offset value Twofs. This makes it possible to minimize in advance the amount of temperature regulation (Initial Temperature Tw 1 ′−Target Temperature T 0 ) in the temperature regulating unit (main temperature regulator)  1  of the main temperature regulating apparatus  18  of the exposure apparatus  24 . In other words, it is possible to shorten a time tm′ until the temperature of the substrate  6  falls within the target temperature range T 0 ±Twm [°]. 
     The auxiliary temperature controller  16  of the coating and developing apparatus  20  controls the substrate temperature by, for example, adjusting the temperature regulating capability of temperature regulating elements  3  or adjusting the temperature regulation time, based on the temperature control information. The temperature regulating capability of the temperature regulating elements  3  can be adjusted by controlling, for example, the magnitude of a current supplied to Peltier elements serving as the temperature regulating elements  3 . The coating and developing apparatus  20  can regulate the substrate temperature so as to prevent the productivity of the exposure apparatus  24  from lowering due to a delay in substrate conveyance from the coating and developing apparatus  20  to the exposure apparatus  24 . 
     In contrast, assume a conventional lithography system which does not transmit temperature control information from the exposure apparatus  24  to the coating and developing apparatus  20 . This lithography system cannot guarantee that a substrate whose temperature is regulated to fall within the target temperature range required by the exposure apparatus  24  is always supplied from the coating and developing apparatus  20  to the exposure apparatus  24 . One reason for this is that the temperature controller of the coating and developing apparatus cannot sense the temperature of a substrate the moment it is conveyed to the exposure apparatus. Another reason is that the temperature controller cannot sense an environmental change of the conveyance route from the coating and developing apparatus and the exposure apparatus. 
     Substrate temperature regulation is not limited to a method of controlling a current supplied to Peltier elements. Instead, this regulation may exploit a method of controlling the gap between the plate  2  and the substrate  6 , a method of supplying a temperature regulating fluid into the plate  2 , or another method. 
     The measurement device  5  may be one which also serves to control the temperature of the plate  2 , or one dedicated to substrate temperature measurement. A change in temperature of the plate  2  can be measured over a wider range by placing a dedicated temperature sensor within the plane of the plate  2 . This makes it possible to more precisely regulate the temperature of the substrate  6 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the schematic arrangement of an exposure unit  25  in an exposure apparatus  24  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exposure unit  25  includes an illumination device  26 , original stage  28 , and position measurement units  29 . The illumination device  26  includes a light source. The original stage  28  holds an original  27  having a pattern formed on it. The position measurement units  29  measure the positions of the original  27  held by the original stage  28 . The exposure unit  25  also includes a projection optical system  30  and stage mechanism  36 . The stage mechanism  36  positions a substrate (wafer)  34  coated with a photoresist. The stage mechanism  36  includes an X-Y stage mechanism  31  and Z stage mechanism  33 . The X-Y stage mechanism  31  positions the substrate  34  in the X and Y directions. The Z stage mechanism  33  positions the substrate  34  in the Z direction. The exposure unit  25  also includes a laser interferometer  32  and focus unit  35 . The laser interferometer  32  measures the position of the X-Y stage mechanism  31  in the X and Y directions. The focus unit  35  measures the position of the substrate  34  in the Z direction. The pattern formed on the original  27  is projected onto the substrate  34  on the Z stage mechanism  33  via the projection optical system  30  to form a latent image pattern on the photoresist applied on the substrate  34 . This latent image pattern is visualized into a physical pattern upon being developed by a developing apparatus. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a lithography system according to an embodiment of the present invention from an aspect different from that in  FIG. 4 . A lithography system  57  shown in  FIG. 6  includes an exposure apparatus  24  including an exposure unit  25  as shown in  FIG. 5 , and a coating and developing apparatus (substrate processing apparatus)  20 . The exposure apparatus  24  includes an exposure chamber  38 . The exposure chamber  38  accommodates the exposure unit  25  as the main part of the exposure apparatus  24 . For the sake of simplicity,  FIG. 6  only shows a stage mechanism  36  as the exposure unit  25  in the exposure apparatus  24 . The exposure chamber  38  accommodates a first conveyance unit  43  serving as a conveyance unit on the exposure apparatus side, an exposure apparatus controller  47 , and an input/output device  49  serving as a user interface. 
     The first conveyance unit  43  includes a hand  44  which holds the substrate  34 . The exposure chamber  38  also accommodates a main power supply  52 , an auxiliary power supply  53 , and a first conveyance controller  50  which controls the first conveyance unit  43 . The main power supply  52  supplies power to at least the exposure unit  25 , exposure apparatus controller  47 , and input/output device  49 . The auxiliary power supply  53  supplies power to the first conveyance controller  50 . The auxiliary power supply  53  is configured to continue supplying power to its power supply target even when the power supply by the main power supply  52  to its power supply targets is cut off. More specifically, the auxiliary power supply  53  can include, for example, a secondary battery. If the main power supply  52  is normal, the auxiliary power supply  53  charges the secondary battery using power supplied from the main power supply  52 . If the power supply by the main power supply  52  is cut off due to, for example, an abnormality of the main power supply  52  or a power failure, the secondary battery supplies power to its power supply target. 
     The coating and developing apparatus  20  includes a coating and developing chamber  39 . The coating and developing chamber  39  accommodates the main part of the coating and developing apparatus  20  (that main part includes a coater  14  and developer  19 ). The coating and developing chamber  39  also accommodates a second conveyance unit  45  serving as a conveyance unit on the coating and developing apparatus side, and a coating and developing apparatus controller  48 . The coating and developing chamber  39  also accommodates a main power supply  54 , an auxiliary power supply  55 , and a second conveyance controller  51  which controls the second conveyance unit  45 . The second conveyance unit  45  includes a hand  46  which holds a substrate  34 . The main power supply  54  supplies power to at least the main part of the coating and developing apparatus  20 , and the coating and developing apparatus controller  48 . The auxiliary power supply  55  supplies power to the second conveyance controller  51 . 
     The auxiliary power supply  55  is configured to continue supplying power to its power supply target even when the power supply by the main power supply  54  to its power supply targets is cut off. More specifically, the auxiliary power supply  55  can include, for example, a secondary battery. If the main power supply  54  is normal, the auxiliary power supply  55  charges the secondary battery using power supplied from the main power supply  54 . If the power supply by the main power supply  54  is cut off due to, for example, an abnormality of the main power supply  54  or a power failure, the secondary battery supplies power to its power supply target. 
     The first conveyance unit  43  receives the substrate conveyed to a loading unit  41  in a transfer station  40  by the second conveyance unit  45 , and conveys it to the stage mechanism  36  of the exposure unit  25 . The first conveyance unit  43  conveys the exposed substrate to an unloading unit  42  in the transfer station  40 . The first conveyance unit  43  often conveys the substrate to the X-Y stage mechanism  31  via an alignment unit. The exposure chamber  38  often accommodates a plurality of conveyance units. 
     A method of manufacturing devices (e.g., a semiconductor device and a liquid crystal display device) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be explained next. 
     A semiconductor device is manufactured by a preprocess of forming an integrated circuit on a wafer (semiconductor substrate), and a post-process of completing, as a product, a chip of the integrated circuit formed on the wafer by the preprocess. The preprocess can include a step of exposing a wafer coated with a photoresist using the above-mentioned exposure apparatus, and a step of developing the wafer. The post-process can include an assembly step (dicing and bonding) and packaging step (encapsulation). Also, a liquid crystal display device is manufactured by a step of forming a transparent electrode. The step of forming a transparent electrode can include a step of coating a glass substrate, on which a transparent conductive film is deposited, with a photoresist, a step of exposing the glass substrate coated with the photoresist using the above-mentioned exposure apparatus, and a step of developing the glass substrate. 
     The device manufacturing method according to this embodiment is more advantageous in at least one of the productivity and quality of devices than the prior arts. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-291492, filed Nov. 13, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.