Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/JP4362862B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-12-15 02:26:39
Document Index: 484089725

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 72', 'art 72', 'art 170', 'art 170', 'art 170', 'art 170', 'art 170', 'art 170', 'art 170', 'art 170', 'art 170', 'art, 170']

JP4362862B2 - Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus - Google Patents
Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus Download PDF
JP4362862B2
JP4362862B2 JP2003098464A JP2003098464A JP4362862B2 JP 4362862 B2 JP4362862 B2 JP 4362862B2 JP 2003098464 A JP2003098464 A JP 2003098464A JP 2003098464 A JP2003098464 A JP 2003098464A JP 4362862 B2 JP4362862 B2 JP 4362862B2
JP2003098464A
JP2004311459A (en
2003-04-01 Application filed by 株式会社ニコン filed Critical 株式会社ニコン
2003-04-01 Priority to JP2003098464A priority Critical patent/JP4362862B2/en
2004-11-04 Publication of JP2004311459A publication Critical patent/JP2004311459A/en
2009-11-11 Publication of JP4362862B2 publication Critical patent/JP4362862B2/en
The present invention relates to a stage apparatus and an exposure apparatus, and more particularly to a stage apparatus including a stage that holds and moves an object, and an exposure apparatus including the stage apparatus.
In a lithography process for manufacturing a semiconductor element, a liquid crystal display element, etc., a wafer or a glass plate on which a resist or the like is applied via a projection optical system with a pattern formed on a mask or reticle (hereinafter collectively referred to as “reticle”) A step-and-repeat reduction projection exposure apparatus (so-called stepper) that transfers onto a photosensitive object such as a wafer (hereinafter referred to as a “wafer”), or a step-and-scan type scan that is an improvement of this stepper. A mold projection exposure apparatus (so-called scanning stepper) is mainly used.
In a projection exposure apparatus such as a stepper, a stage apparatus including a table that holds a wafer that is an object to be exposed, a stage that holds the table and moves two-dimensionally, and a drive mechanism that drives the stage is used. Yes. In recent years, as a stage device, a linear motor type stage device using a linear motor as a drive source has become mainstream. The linear motor type stage device includes a first axis linear motor that drives the stage in the first axis direction, and a first axis linear motor and the stage that are integrally formed with the second axis direction that is orthogonal to the first axis. A two-axis linear motor type stage device including a pair of second-axis linear motors that are driven in a relatively large number is used.
In this type of stage apparatus, the table is connected to the stage via a fine movement mechanism such as three voice coil motors or three EI cores. The fine movement mechanism causes the table to move around the first axis on the stage. Fine movement in the rotation direction, the rotation direction around the second axis, and the third axis direction orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis is possible. The fine movement mechanism and the linear motor realize driving of the table in the direction of six degrees of freedom (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
International Publication No. 02/080185 Pamphlet
The stage device described in Patent Document 1 includes an air pad that forms a predetermined clearance between the stage and the movement reference plane in order to support the stage without contact with the movement reference plane. However, since this air pad is highly rigid, as shown in FIG. 11A, the stage ST may be tilted (pitched vibration) depending on the unevenness of the movement reference surface BS. In addition, the table TB may slide (shift vibration) due to the tilt of the stage.
When the table TB and the stage ST are coupled by a leaf spring, the coupling portion by the leaf spring is highly rigid, so that the table TB is shifted to the table as shown in FIG. There was a risk of vibration.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11C, in the leveling control of the table using a voice coil motor or an EI core, a shift disturbance may occur in the table.
The above-described shift vibration and shift disturbance of the table are considered to be a result of the influence of the natural frequency, rigidity, and the like, which are caused by the table being plate-shaped, as an adverse effect on the control of the stage.
The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and a first object thereof is to provide a stage apparatus that realizes highly accurate position control of an object held on a stage.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an exposure apparatus capable of realizing highly accurate exposure.
The invention according to claim 1 holds an object.AndDirection of gravityAt least in a two-dimensional in-plane direction that includes a second axial direction and a third axial direction that are orthogonal to the first axial direction and that are orthogonal to the first axial direction.A movable stage; connected to said stageOKWith PendulumThe driving force for driving the stage in the second axial direction is generated by cooperating with the mover.With stator, Including a plurality of second axial drive actuators with respect to the first axial direction.A driving device;The driving force generated by each of the plurality of second axial drive actuators is controlled to rotate the stage on the support surface on which the stage is supported, in the direction of the second axis or the third axis. A control device that is driven by;Is a stage apparatus.
According to this,The control device appropriately controls the driving force generated by a plurality of second axial actuators provided with respect to the third axial direction, specifically, the driving force generated by the plurality of second axial actuators. The stage is driven in the second axis direction by performing the same control, and the stage is rotated in the rotation direction around the third axis by performing the control to vary the driving force generated by the plurality of second axis direction actuators. To drive.In this case, since the stage can be manufactured as a single body, the structure of the stage can be simplified, and the position of the table described above resulting from the combination of the two-dimensional moving stage and the table, which has been a problem in the past, There is no possibility that the position controllability of the stage will deteriorate due to the same factors as the controllability decrease phenomenon. Accordingly, it is possible to realize highly accurate position control of the object held on the stage with a simple structure.
In this case, like the stage device according to claim 2,The drive device has a plurality of the second axial drive actuators also in the third axial direction,SaidcontrolThe device moves the stageDirection of rotation about the first axis on the support surfaceCan also be driven.
In each of the stage devices according to claim 1 and 2, like the stage device according to claim 3, the driving device includes:A first axial drive actuator further comprising: a mover connected to the stage; and a stator that generates a driving force for driving the stage in the first axial direction by cooperating with the mover. The control device controls the first axial drive actuator;The stageOn the support surfaceIt can also be driven in the gravitational direction.
3. The stage apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving device generates a driving force for driving the stage in the first axial direction by cooperating with the movable element connected to the stage and the movable element. A plurality of second axial drive actuators provided in the third axial direction.Arranged between multiple statorsAnd a first axial driving actuator including the stator, wherein the control device controls the first axial driving actuator to move the stage on the support surface in the gravitational direction. Also driveCan be.
In each of the stage devices according to claims 1 to 4, like the stage device according to claim 5,The driving device includes a mover connected to the stage, and a third axial direction including a stator that generates a driving force for driving the stage in the third axial direction by cooperating with the mover. A plurality of driving actuators are further provided in the first axial direction, and the control device controls the driving force generated by each of the plurality of third axial driving actuators so that the stage is placed on the support surface. Drive in the third axis direction or the rotation direction around the second axisCan be.
In each of the stage devices according to the first to fifth aspects, like the stage device according to the sixth aspect, the stage may have a box shape. In such a case, it is possible to ensure high rigidity compared to the plate-like stage.
7. Each stage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, as in the stage apparatus according to claim 7, a cylinder portion (170A) provided at a bottom portion of the stage, and the cylinder inserted into the cylinder portion. A piston part (170B) that can move relative to the part, and the positive weight of the gas inside the cylinder part that biases the piston part downward in the direction of gravity reduces the weight of the stage.AboveA self-weight support mechanism (70A to 70C) that supports above the support surface may be further provided.
In this case, a position detection device (150, 83A, 83B, etc.) for detecting the position of the stage may be provided in the vicinity of the self-weight support mechanism, as in the stage device according to claim 8.
Claims above7 or 8In each stage apparatus according to claim 1,9As described above, the self-weight support mechanism can include first bearing mechanisms (74a, 74b) that form a predetermined clearance with the support surface.
In this case, the claim10As described above, the first bearing mechanism includes a gas jet port (74b) formed on a surface of the piston portion facing the support surface and a piston portion formed on the piston portion. An air supply passage (74a) for communicating the jet port with the positive pressure space inside the cylinder may be included.
Claims above9 or 10In each stage apparatus according to claim 1,11As described above, the self-weight support mechanism includes a second bearing mechanism (78, 76a to 76d) that forms a predetermined clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion and the outer peripheral surface of the piston portion. Can further be included.
In this case, the claim12As described above, the second bearing mechanism includes a gas outlet (78) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston part, and a gas outlet and an inside of the cylinder formed in the piston part. And an air supply passage (76a to 76d) communicating with the positive pressure space.
Claims 7 to above12In each stage apparatus according to claim 1,13As described above, the self-weight support mechanism can be provided in at least three places that are not in a straight line.
Claims above1-13In each stage apparatus according to claim 1,14The stage base (SB) on which the support surface is formed can be further provided.
In this case, the claim15As described above, the stage base is configured to be movable according to the law of conservation of momentum by the action of the reaction force of the driving force that causes the movement of the stage when the stage moves in the two-dimensional in-plane direction. Can be.
In this case, the claim16As described above, a drive mechanism that drives the stage base in the two-dimensional plane can be further provided.
Claims 1-7, 9-16In each stage apparatus according to claim 1,17As in the stage apparatus described above, the measurement surface is irradiated with a length measurement beam on the reflection surface (MZ1) provided on the stage, and the reflected light of the length measurement beam on the reflection surface is received. A light wave interference type length measuring device (150) for measuring the position may be further provided.
In each stage apparatus of the said Claims 1-17, Claim18Like the stage device described inA plurality of stages are provided, each holding the object, a plurality of driving devices are provided corresponding to the plurality of stage devices, and the control device drives the plurality of stages to the plurality of driving devices. It can be individually driven using the apparatus.
Claim19The invention described in 1 is an exposure apparatus that illuminates a mask (R) with an energy beam (IL) and transfers a pattern formed on the mask onto a photosensitive object (W). As at least one drive system, claims 1 to18An exposure apparatus comprising the stage apparatus according to any one of the above.
According to this, claims 1 to18Since the stage device with high position controllability according to any one of the above is provided as a drive system for at least one of the mask and the photosensitive object, the pattern formed on the mask can be transferred to the photosensitive object with high accuracy. It becomes possible.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 schematically shows an exposure apparatus 10 according to an embodiment.
In this exposure apparatus 10, a reticle R as a mask and a wafer W1 (or W2) as an object (and a photosensitive object) are arranged in a one-dimensional direction (here, the Y-axis direction which is the horizontal direction in FIG. 1). A step-and-scan type scanning exposure apparatus that transfers a circuit pattern formed on the reticle R to a plurality of shot areas on the wafer W1 (or W2) via the projection optical system PL while moving synchronously; That is, it is a so-called scanning stepper.
The exposure apparatus 10 includes an illumination system 12 that illuminates the reticle R with illumination light IL as an energy beam, a reticle stage RST as a mask stage on which the reticle R is mounted, and illumination light IL emitted from the reticle R on the wafer W1 ( Or a projection optical system PL that projects onto W2), a stage device 20 on which the wafer W1 (or W2) is placed, and a control system thereof.
The illumination system 12 includes a light source and an illumination optical system, and illuminates as an energy beam on a rectangular or arcuate illumination area IAR defined by a field stop (also referred to as a masking blade or a reticle blind) disposed therein. The light IL is irradiated, and the reticle R on which the circuit pattern is formed is illuminated with uniform illuminance. An illumination system similar to the illumination system 12 is disclosed, for example, in JP-A-6-349701. Here, as the illumination light IL, far ultraviolet light such as KrF excimer laser light (wavelength 248 nm), ArF excimer laser light (wavelength 193 nm), or F2Vacuum ultraviolet light such as laser light (wavelength 157 nm) is used. As the illumination light IL, it is also possible to use an ultraviolet bright line (g-line, i-line, etc.) from an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp.
On reticle stage RST, reticle R is fixed, for example, by vacuum suction. Reticle stage RST is moved by reticle stage drive unit 22 in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and θz direction (Z-axis) in the XY plane perpendicular to the optical axis of illumination system 12 (matching optical axis AX of projection optical system PL). In the rotational direction), and can be driven at a scanning speed designated in a predetermined scanning direction (Y-axis direction) along the upper surface of the reticle stage base (not shown). The reticle stage drive unit 22 is a mechanism that uses a linear motor, a voice coil motor, or the like as a drive source, but is shown as a simple block in FIG. 1 for convenience of illustration. Note that the reticle stage RST includes a coarse movement stage that is one-dimensionally driven in the Y-axis direction, and the reticle R in at least three degrees of freedom with respect to the coarse movement stage (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and θz direction). Of course, a coarse / fine movement stage having a fine movement stage that can be finely driven may be employed.
The position in the XY plane of reticle stage RST (including θz rotation) is reflected by a reticle laser interferometer (hereinafter referred to as “reticle interferometer”) 16 formed (or provided) at the end of reticle stage RST. Through the surface, it is always detected with a resolution of, for example, about 0.5 to 1 nm. Position information (including rotation information such as the θz rotation amount (yaw amount)) of reticle stage RST from reticle interferometer 16 is supplied to main controller 50. Main controller 50 controls driving of reticle stage RST via reticle stage driving unit 22 based on position information of reticle stage RST.
As the projection optical system PL, a reduction system in which both the object plane side (reticle side) and the image plane side (wafer side) are telecentric and the projection magnification is 1/4 (or 1/5) is used. For this reason, when the illumination light (ultraviolet pulsed light) IL is irradiated from the illumination system 12 onto the reticle R, the image forming light beam from the portion illuminated by the ultraviolet pulsed light in the circuit pattern region formed on the reticle R. Is incident on the projection optical system PL, and an image (partial inverted image) of the circuit pattern in the illumination area of the illumination light IL (the illumination area IAR described above) is irradiated with each pulse of ultraviolet pulse light. In the center of the field of view on the image plane side, the image is limited and formed into a slit shape (or rectangular shape (polygon)) elongated in the X-axis direction. As a result, the partially inverted image of the projected circuit pattern is reduced and transferred to the resist layer on the surface of one shot area of the plurality of shot areas on the wafer W1 or W2 arranged on the imaging plane of the projection optical system PL. Is done.
As the projection optical system PL, when KrF excimer laser light, ArF excimer laser light, or the like is used as the illumination light IL, a refraction system composed only of refractive optical elements (lens elements) is mainly used.2In the case of using laser light, for example, a so-called catadioptric system (catadioptric system) in which a refractive optical element and a reflective optical element (concave mirror, beam splitter, etc.) are combined as disclosed in JP-A-3-282527. ), Or a reflective system composed only of reflective optical elements is mainly used. However, F2In the case of using laser light, a refractive system can be used.
The stage device 20 is disposed below the projection optical system PL in FIG. 1, and the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 as stages for holding the wafers W1 and W2, respectively, and the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are arranged on the X axis (first axis). ) Direction, Y-axis (second axis) direction, Z-axis (third axis) direction, and rotational directions (θx, θy, θz directions) around the X, Y, and Z axes are individually driven. Drive system.
Each of wafer stages WST1 and WST2 is driven with a predetermined stroke in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by the drive system, and is finely driven in other directions.
Hereinafter, each part of the configuration of the stage apparatus 20 will be described with reference to other drawings as appropriate, centering on FIG. 2 showing the stage apparatus 20 in a perspective view.
Wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are arranged above stage base SB supported substantially horizontally on a floor F of the clean room via a plurality of (for example, three) anti-vibration units (not shown).
The plurality of vibration isolation units insulate the micro vibration (dark vibration) transmitted from the floor surface F to the stage base SB at a micro G level. As a plurality of vibration isolation units, so-called active vibration isolation devices that actively suppress the stage base SB based on outputs of vibration sensors such as semiconductor accelerometers fixed to predetermined positions of the stage base SB, respectively. Of course, it can be used.
The one wafer stage WST1 is a lightweight and highly rigid material, for example, MMC (metal matrix composite: a composite of metal and ceramics (aluminum alloy or metal silicon as a matrix material, and various ceramic reinforcing materials are combined therein). And has a generally box-like shape.
On the upper surface (+ Z side surface) of wafer stage WST1, an X movable mirror MX1 extending in the Y axis direction is provided at one end in the X axis direction (the end portion on the + X side) in FIG. 2, and one end in the Y axis direction (−Y side) Is provided with a Y movable mirror MY1 extending in the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 2, interferometer beams (measurement beams) from the interferometers of the respective measurement axes constituting the later-described interferometer system are projected onto the reflecting surfaces of the movable mirrors MX1 and MY1. By receiving the reflected light with each interferometer, from the reference position of each movable mirror reflecting surface (generally, a fixed mirror is placed on the side of the projection optical system or the side of the alignment system, which is used as the reference surface) Thus, the two-dimensional position of wafer stage WST1 is measured. Further, wafer W1 is fixed to the upper surface of wafer stage WST1 by electrostatic chucking or vacuum chucking via wafer holder H1. In FIG. 1, only the movable mirror MY1 is shown as the movable mirror on the wafer stage WST1 side.
Wafer stage WST1 is driven with a predetermined stroke in the X-axis direction by driving device DA and is finely driven in the remaining five degrees of freedom. In other words, wafer stage WST1 is driven in the direction of six degrees of freedom by driving device DA. Further, this driving device DA is driven with a long stroke in the Y-axis direction integrally with wafer stage WST1 by a pair of Y-axis linear motors LY1, LY2.
Here, the driving device DA will be described in detail.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the wafer stage WST1 and the driving device DA taken out, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the movable part including the wafer stage WST1 taken out.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the drive device DA includes five movers (44A to 44E) fixed to both side surfaces in the Y-axis direction of wafer stage WST1, and one mover embedded in wafer stage WST1. (44F), a total of six movable elements 44A to 44F, and the X axis direction inserted into the interior (hollow part) of each of these movable elements 44A to 44F as shown in FIG. Stators 46A to 46F. The stators 46A to 46F are fixed to Y-axis movable elements 48A and 48B (which will be described later) having a substantially T-shaped cross section at both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof, and thereby positions between the stators 46A to 46F. The relationship is maintained in a predetermined positional relationship.
As shown in FIG. 3 (B), the mover 44A includes a yoke 52 having a rectangular YZ cross section and a generally cylindrical shape, and a vertical opposing surface of the inner space of the yoke 52 along the X-axis direction. And a plurality of field magnets 54 disposed at predetermined intervals. In this case, the field magnets 54 adjacent in the X-axis direction and the field magnets 54 facing each other in the Z-axis direction have opposite polarities. For this reason, an alternating magnetic field is formed in the internal space of the yoke 52 in the X-axis direction.
On the other hand, the stator 46A inserted in the mover 44A is provided with a hollow housing whose longitudinal direction is the X-axis direction and a predetermined interval along the X-axis direction in the housing. And a plurality of armature coils (not shown).
That is, due to the Lorentz force generated by the electromagnetic interaction between the current flowing through the armature coil constituting the stator 46A and the magnetic field (alternating magnetic field) generated by the field magnet constituting the mover 44A, Is driven by the driving force in the X-axis direction, and the mover 44A is driven in the X-axis direction along the stator 46A. That is, in the present embodiment, the first X-axis linear motor LX1 composed of a moving magnet type linear motor is configured by the stator 46A and the mover 44A (see FIG. 3A).
The mover 44B is provided on the lower side (−Z side) of the above-described mover 44A. The mover 44B has the same configuration as the mover 44A. Further, the stator 46B inserted into the interior of the movable element 44B (hollow part) has the same configuration as the stator 46A. Therefore, the mover 44B is caused by the Lorentz force generated by the electromagnetic interaction between the current flowing through the armature coil constituting the stator 46B and the magnetic field (alternating magnetic field) generated by the field magnet constituting the mover 44B. The driving force in the X-axis direction acts on the movable member 44B, and the movable element 44B is driven in the X-axis direction along the stator 46B. That is, in the present embodiment, the stator 46B and the mover 44B constitute a second X-axis linear motor LX2 composed of a moving magnet type linear motor (see FIG. 3A).
The mover 44C is fixed to the central portion in the Z-axis direction on the + Y side surface of the wafer stage WST1, and has the same configuration as the movers 44A and 44B described above, although the size is different. In addition, the stator 46C inserted into the movable element 44C (hollow part) has the same configuration as the stators 46A and 46B. Therefore, the mover 44C is caused by Lorentz force generated by electromagnetic interaction between the current flowing through the armature coil constituting the stator 46C and the magnetic field (alternating magnetic field) generated by the field magnet constituting the mover 44C. Is driven by the driving force in the X-axis direction and driven in the X-axis direction along the stator 46C. That is, in the present embodiment, the stator 46C and the mover 44C constitute a third X-axis linear motor LX3 composed of a moving magnet type linear motor. As can be seen from FIGS. 3A and 3B, the third X-axis linear motor LX3 is a larger linear motor than the first and second X-axis linear motors LX1 and LX2. Here, the third X-axis linear motor LX3 can generate a thrust twice that of the first and second X-axis linear motors LX1 and LX2. Note that plate-like members 81A and 81B made of a non-magnetic material are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the mover 44C (see FIG. 3B).
According to these first to third X-axis linear motors LX1 to LX3, the thrust M is applied to each of the first and second X-axis linear motors LX1 and LX2, and the thrust (2 × M), the magnitude, direction, etc. of the current supplied to the armature coils in the armature units constituting each linear motor are controlled by the main controller 50 in FIG. WST1 can be driven in the X-axis direction. Each linear motor is configured by the main controller 50 so that the total thrust generated by the first and second X-axis linear motors LX1 and LX2 and the generated thrust of the third X-axis linear motor LX3 are slightly different. By controlling the current supplied to the armature coil in the armature unit, it is possible to minutely drive wafer stage WST1 in the direction of rotation around the Z axis (θz rotation). Furthermore, the armature in the armature unit that constitutes these linear motors by the main controller 50 so that the thrust generated by the first X-axis linear motor LX1 and the thrust generated by the second X-axis linear motor LX2 are slightly different. By controlling the current supplied to the coil, it is possible to finely drive wafer stage WST1 in the direction of rotation about the Y axis (θy rotation). That is, yawing control of wafer stage WST1 can be performed by first to third X-axis linear motors LX1 to LX3, and rolling control of wafer stage WST1 is performed by first and second X-axis linear motors LX1 and LX2. It is possible to do.
A mover 44D is provided on the upper side (+ Z side) of the mover 44C constituting the third X-axis linear motor LX3 via a plate-like member 81A. The mover 44D is elongated in a pair of X-axis directions provided on a frame-shaped member 56 made of a magnetic body having a rectangular YZ section and a pair of opposing surfaces (upper surface and lower surface) inside the frame-shaped member 56, respectively. Permanent magnets 58A and 58B are provided. The permanent magnet 58A and the permanent magnet 58B have opposite polarities. Therefore, a magnetic field having a magnetic flux direction of + Z direction (or −Z direction) is generated between the permanent magnet 58A and the permanent magnet 58B. Further, the stator 46D inserted in the space formed by the permanent magnets 58A and 58B and the frame-like member 56 is formed in the housing and the inside of the housing, for example, in the mover 44D. And one or a plurality of armature coils arranged in such an arrangement that current can flow only in the + X direction or only in the −X direction in the magnetic field in the Z-axis direction. In this case, as the armature coil, for example, a pair of elongated rectangular coils extending in the X-axis direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the Y-axis direction can be used.
In the present embodiment, the magnitude and direction of the current supplied to the armature coils constituting the stator 46D are controlled by the main controller 50, whereby the mover 44D is moved in the Y-axis direction. The magnitude and direction of the driving force (Lorentz force) that is driven at a time is arbitrarily controlled. That is, the mover 44D and the stator 46D constitute a first Y-axis fine movement motor VY1 that minutely drives the wafer stage WST1 in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 3A).
The mover 44E is provided below the mover 44C constituting the third X-axis linear motor LX3 via a plate-like member 81A. The movable element 44E is arranged substantially symmetrically with the above-described movable element 44D around the movable element 44C. The mover 44E has the same configuration as the mover 44D, and a magnetic field in the + Z direction (or -Z direction) is generated inside the mover 44E. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, a stator 46E is inserted into the hollow portion of the mover 44E. The stator 46E has the same configuration as the stator 46D.
In the present embodiment, the magnitude and direction of the current supplied to the armature coils constituting the stator 46E are controlled by the main controller 50, whereby the mover 44E is moved to the stator 46E. On the other hand, the magnitude and direction of the driving force (Lorentz force) for driving in the Y-axis direction is arbitrarily controlled. That is, the movable element 44E and the stator 46E constitute a second Y-axis fine movement motor VY2 that minutely drives wafer stage WST1 in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 3A).
Therefore, according to the first and second Y-axis fine movement motors VY1 and VY2, by generating the same thrust in each Y-axis fine movement motor VY1 and VY2, wafer stage WST1 can be finely driven in the Y-axis direction. At the same time, by making the generated thrusts of the Y-axis fine movement motors VY1 and VY2 different, it is possible to finely drive wafer stage WST1 in the rotation direction (θx rotation) around the X axis. That is, the first and second Y-axis fine movement motors VY1 and VY2 can perform pitching control of wafer stage WST1.
Movable element 44F is embedded in a state of penetrating wafer stage WST1 in the X-axis direction at substantially the center of wafer stage WST1. The mover 44F is arranged in a pair of X-axis directions respectively provided on a frame-shaped member 60 made of a magnetic body having a rectangular YZ section and a pair of opposing surfaces (± Y-side surfaces) inside the frame-shaped member 60. Elongated permanent magnets 62A and 62B are provided. The permanent magnet 62A and the permanent magnet 62B have opposite polarities. Therefore, a magnetic field in which the direction of the magnetic flux is in the + Y direction (or -Y direction) is generated between the permanent magnet 62A and the permanent magnet 62B. The stator 46F inserted into the space formed by the permanent magnets 62A and 62B and the frame-shaped member 60 includes a casing having a longitudinal direction in the X-axis direction, One or a plurality of armature coils arranged in such a manner that current can flow only in the + X direction or only in the -X direction in a magnetic field in the Y-axis direction formed in the mover 44F. ing. In this case, as the armature coil, for example, a pair of rectangular coils extending in the X-axis direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the Z-axis direction can be used.
In the present embodiment, the magnitude and direction of the current supplied to the armature coils constituting the stator 46F are controlled by the main controller 50, whereby the mover 44F is changed to the stator 46F. On the other hand, the magnitude and direction of the driving force (Lorentz force) for driving in the Z-axis direction is arbitrarily controlled. That is, the mover 44F and the stator 46F constitute a Z-axis fine movement motor VZ that finely drives wafer stage WST1 in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 3A).
As described above, according to the driving device DA, the wafer stage WST1 is driven by the first to third X-axis linear motors LX1 to LX3 for coarse movement in the X-axis direction, rotation around the Z-axis (θz) direction, and Y-axis rotation. Fine rotation in the rotation (θy) direction is performed, and the first and second Y-axis fine movement motors VY1 and VY2 perform fine movement in the rotation (θx) direction around the Y-axis direction and the X-axis. Fine movement in the Z-axis direction is performed by VZ.
Next, a pair of Y-axis linear motors LY1 and LY2 that drive wafer stage WST1 together with drive device DA with a long stroke in the Y-axis direction will be described.
One Y-axis linear motor LY1 moves in the Y-axis direction by electromagnetic interaction between a stator 64A extending along the Y-axis direction at the + X side end of the stage base SB and the stator 64A. And a movable element 48A to be driven.
The stator 64A includes a yoke having a U-shaped cross section (a U-shape) and a plurality of fields respectively disposed at predetermined intervals along the Y-axis direction on a pair of opposing surfaces (upper and lower opposing surfaces) of the yoke. And a magnet. In this case, field magnets adjacent in the Y-axis direction and field magnets facing each other in the Z-axis direction have opposite polarities. For this reason, an alternating magnetic field is formed in the inner space of the yoke in the Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the stator 64A is actually supported substantially horizontally at a predetermined interval from the upper surface of the stage base SB by a support member (not shown) provided on the floor surface F. .
The mover 48A is provided at one end of the stators 46A to 46F constituting the drive device DA (see FIG. 3A), and has an XZ cross-section T-shaped housing that is hollow inside, A plurality of armature coils (not shown) disposed at predetermined intervals along the Y-axis direction in the casing.
In this case, the mover 48A is generated by Lorentz force generated by electromagnetic interaction between the current flowing through the armature coil constituting the mover 48A and the magnetic field (alternating magnetic field) generated by the field magnet constituting the stator 64A. Are driven in the X-axis direction along the stator 64A. The main controller 50 controls the magnitude and direction of the current flowing through the armature coil constituting the mover 48A.
The other Y-axis linear motor LY2 has the same configuration as the one Y-axis linear motor LY1, but is symmetrical with respect to the Y-axis direction. That is, a stator 64B extending in the Y-axis direction at the −X side end of the stage base SB and a mover 48B driven in the Y-axis direction by electromagnetic interaction between the stator 64B and the stator 64B. I have. In practice, the stator 64B is supported substantially horizontally by a support member (not shown) provided on the floor surface F with a predetermined distance from the upper surface of the stage base SB.
Also in this case, the magnitude and direction of the current flowing through the armature coil constituting the mover 48B is controlled by the main controller 50, and the current and the magnetic field (alternating magnetic field) generated by the field magnet constituting the stator 64B The mover 48B is driven in the X-axis direction along the stator 64B by the Lorentz force generated by the electromagnetic interaction between them.
Wafer stage WST1 is driven with a long stroke in the Y-axis direction along with drive device DA by a pair of Y-axis linear motors LY1 and LY2 configured as described above. When the wafer stage WST1 is driven in the Y-axis direction, a reaction force of the driving force acts on the stators 64A and 64B, and the reaction force is transmitted via support members (not shown) that support the stators 64A and 64B, respectively. It is transmitted (relieved) to the floor surface F.
Further, as is clear from the above description, wafer stage WST1 is driven by first and second Y-axis fine movement motors VY1 and VY2 constituting drive device DA in the Y-axis direction that is the scanning direction (scanning direction). While being driven minutely, it is driven within a predetermined stroke range by a pair of Y-axis linear motors LY1, LY2.
The other wafer stage WST2 is configured similarly to wafer stage WST1 described above. That is, wafer stage WST2 is made of a lightweight and highly rigid member such as MMC and has a substantially box-like shape, and has an upper surface (+ Z side surface) on one end (+ X in the X-axis direction in FIG. 2). X moving mirror MX2 extending in the Y-axis direction is provided at the end of the Y-axis, and Y moving mirror MY2 extending in the X-axis direction is provided at one end in the Y-axis direction (end on the + Y side). Interferometer beams from the interferometers of the measurement axes constituting the interferometer system described later are projected onto the reflecting surfaces of the movable mirrors MX2 and MY2, and the two-dimensional position of the wafer stage WST2 is the wafer stage WST1. It is designed to be measured in the same way. In FIG. 1, only the movable mirror MY2 is shown.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the wafer W2 is fixed to the upper surface of the wafer stage WST2 by electrostatic chucking or vacuum chucking via a wafer holder H2. Wafer stage WST2 is driven with a predetermined stroke in the X-axis direction by a drive device DB configured similarly to drive device DA described above, and is finely driven in the remaining five degrees of freedom. A pair of movers 48C and 48D are respectively provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the stator of each motor constituting the drive device DB, and each of these movers 48C and 48D is described above. The pair of stators 64A and 64B constitute a pair of Y-axis linear motors LY3 and LY4. By these Y-axis linear motors LY3 and LY4, the driving device DB is driven with a long stroke in the Y-axis direction integrally with wafer stage WST2. The main controller 50 controls the magnitude and direction of the current supplied to the motors constituting the driving device DB and the armature coils of the Y-axis linear motors LY3 and LY4.
As apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, the Y-axis linear motor LY1 and the Y-axis linear motor LY3 share the stator 64A, and the Y-axis linear motor LY2 and the Y-axis linear motor LY4 The stator 64B is common. However, it is possible to provide each stator individually.
In the present embodiment, as described above, the drive system including the drive devices DA and DB and the Y-axis linear motors LY1 to LY4 and individually driving the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 in the direction of 6 degrees of freedom is configured. ing.
4A shows a perspective view of the movable part on the wafer stage WST1 side in FIG. 3B, which is turned upside down, and FIG. 4B shows the wafer shown in FIG. 4A. A state in which the plane mirror MZ1 (which will be described later) attached to the bottom surface of the stage WST1 is removed is shown in a perspective view. As can be seen from FIG. 4B, the inside of wafer stage WST1 is thinned from the bottom surface side, and three self-weight support mechanisms are formed in the void formed in wafer stage WST1 by the thinning. Self-weight cancellers 70A, 70B, and 70C are provided.
Hereinafter, one self-weight canceller 70A among the three self-weight cancellers 70A to 70C will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the self-weight canceller 70A, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the lower end portion of the self-weight canceller 70A.
As shown in FIG. 5, the self-weight canceller 70A includes a cylindrical cylinder portion 170A having a lower end portion (−Z end portion) opened and a closed upper end portion (+ Z end portion), and a lower end of the cylinder portion 170A. The piston portion 170B is inserted into the cylinder portion 170A through the opening and is movable relative to the cylinder portion. The ceiling wall (upper wall) of the cylinder portion 170A is formed so that its outer diameter is somewhat larger than other portions. In this case, the cylinder portion 170A is integrally formed, but the ceiling wall portion may be formed separately from the remaining portion and fixed together.
In the cylinder portion 170A, an annular first annular convex portion 72a is formed in the vicinity of the lower end portion (−Z side end portion) over the entire inner peripheral surface. Moreover, the 2nd annular convex part 72b is formed in the lower side (-Z side) of the 1st annular convex part 72a at predetermined intervals. A circular groove 72d having a predetermined depth formed between the first annular convex portion 72a and the second annular convex portion 72b of the cylinder portion 170A penetrates the internal space of the cylinder portion 170A and the outside. Holes 72c are formed at a plurality of locations at predetermined intervals.
The piston portion 170B is inserted into the cylinder portion 170A with a predetermined clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the piston portion 170B and the first and second annular convex portions 72a and 72b formed on the cylinder portion 170A. ing.
The piston portion 170B has a stepped columnar shape in which a disk portion having a second diameter (> first diameter) is provided on the bottom surface of a column portion having a first diameter. At the center of the upper end surface of the piston part 170B, a ventilation pipe 74a is formed as an air supply pipe that penetrates the piston part 170B in the Z-axis direction. The ventilation pipe line 74a communicates with a groove 74b formed on the lower end surface (−Z side end surface) of the piston portion 170B, and is processed so as to become narrower near the lower end surface in the vicinity of the lower end surface of the piston portion 170B. ing. That is, the lower end portion of the vent pipe 74a is formed to serve as a kind of nozzle (tapered nozzle). As shown in FIG. 4A, the groove 74b has a shape in which a circle and a cross are combined.
In addition, at the peripheral edge of the upper end surface of the piston portion 170B, there are four ventilation conduits 76a to 76d as air supply conduits at intervals of a central angle of 90 ° (however, in FIG. 5, the ventilation conduits 76a and 76c, in FIG. Only the ventilation pipes 76a to 76c are shown, and the ventilation pipe 76d is not shown) is formed in a state of being dug down to a position slightly above the center in the height direction of the piston part 170B. In the vicinity of the lower ends of these vent pipes 76a to 76d, a throttle hole 78 is formed as a gas jet port communicating with the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the piston part 170B.
In this case, a substantially airtight space 80 is formed above the piston portion 170B inside the cylinder portion 170A. One end of an air supply pipe is connected to the space 80 through an opening (not shown) formed in a part of the cylinder portion 170A, and the other end of the air supply pipe is connected to a gas supply device (not shown). ing. From this gas supply device, for example, a rare gas such as helium or nitrogen is supplied into the space 80 via an air supply pipe, and the space 80 is a positive pressure space having a higher atmospheric pressure than the outside of the cylinder 170A. . Therefore, hereinafter, the space 80 is also referred to as a “positive pressure space 80”.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the self-weight canceller 70A.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the self-weight canceller 70A, the space 80 is a positive pressure space, so that the arrow A1The gas flow indicated by (hereinafter referred to as “flow A”1Is also called). This flow A1Is ejected from the tapered nozzle portion at the lower end of the vent pipe 74a, and the arrow A is inserted into the groove 74b.2The gas flow indicated by This gas spreads over the entire area of the groove 74b and is ejected from the entire groove toward the support surface (here, the upper surface of the stage base SB) SBa. As a result, a predetermined clearance ΔL is formed between the bottom surface of the piston portion 170B and the support surface SBa of the stage base SB due to the static pressure of gas between the bottom surface of the piston portion 170B and the support surface (pressure in the gap).1Is to be formed. That is, a kind of gas hydrostatic bearing is substantially formed on the bottom surface of the piston portion 170B, and the piston portion 170B is supported in a floating manner in a non-contact manner above the support surface SBa. Hereinafter, this static gas bearing is also referred to as a “thrust bearing”.
Similarly to the vent line 74a, the vent lines 76a to 76d also have an arrow B1As a result, a gas flow indicated by the arrow B is generated, and accordingly, the throttle hole 78 is moved from the inside of the piston portion 170B to the outside by an arrow B.2As a result, the gas flow indicated by (2) is generated, and the gas ejected from the throttle hole 78 is ejected to the second annular convex portion 72b. At this time, due to the static pressure of the gas between the second annular convex portion 72b and the outer peripheral surface of the piston portion 170B (pressure in the gap), the outer peripheral surface of the piston portion 170B and the first and second annular convex portions 72a, 72b In the meantime, the predetermined clearance ΔL2Is to be formed. That is, a gas static pressure bearing is substantially formed on the peripheral wall of the piston part 170B, and the piston part 170B and the cylinder part 170A are not in contact with each other. Hereinafter, this static gas bearing is also referred to as a “radial bearing”.
Further, the plurality of through holes 72c formed at predetermined intervals in the annular concave groove 72d of the cylinder portion 170A has an arrow C.1As a result, the clearance ΔL is generated by the gas sprayed on the second annular protrusion 72b, the gas in the positive pressure space 80, and the like.2The gas inside is discharged to the outside.
The other self-weight cancellers 70B and 70C are configured in the same manner as the above-described self-weight canceller 70A.
According to these self-weight cancellers 70A to 70C, when wafer stage WST1 is supported at its upper end, its own weight is supported by the positive pressure in positive pressure space 80, and the upper surface of stage base SB, ie, support surface SBa. In the meantime, the clearance ΔL is always due to the action of the thrust bearing.1It is possible to maintain. Further, even when a force to tilt the wafer stage WST1 in the tilt direction (θx, θy direction) is generated, the clearance ΔL is caused by the action of the radial bearing.2Therefore, the inclination of wafer stage WST1 is absorbed. Therefore, according to the self-weight canceller 170A, it is possible to support wafer stage WST1 with a low rigidity by positive pressure and to absorb inclination of wafer stage WST1.
As can be seen from the above description, the thrust bearing as the first bearing mechanism is constituted by the groove 74b and the ventilation pipe line 74a, and the throttle hole 78 and the ventilation pipe lines 76a to 76d constitute the second bearing mechanism. A radial bearing is configured.
As described above, flat mirror MZ1 is attached to the bottom surface (surface on the −Z side) of wafer stage WST1 over the entire area excluding the portion where self-weight cancellers 70A to 70C are arranged (see FIG. 4A). ). When the bottom surface of wafer stage WST1 is a flat surface, the bottom surface of wafer stage WST1 may be mirror-finished instead of flat mirror MZ1.
FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing wafer stage WST1. As can be seen from FIG. 8, in the stage base SB, a Z-axis interferometer 150 as a light wave interference type length measuring device is provided in a passage SBb formed in the stage base SB. Is provided on the −X side of the beam splitter 83A and the beam splitter 83A, which reflects the length measuring beam transmitted through the beam splitter 83A in the + Z direction. A bending prism 83B and the like are provided. The length measurement beam reflected by the beam splitter 83A is further branched by a beam splitter (not shown) so that each branched light beam (length measurement beam) is reflected toward the + Z direction by another prism or the like. It has become.
That is, with such a configuration, the length measurement beam from Z-axis interferometer 150 is applied to three points of plane mirror MZ1 provided on the bottom surface of wafer stage WST1. Then, the return lights of the respective measurement beams reflected by the plane mirror MZ1 return to the inside of the Z-axis interferometer 150 through the same path, are respectively branched inside, and are respectively synthesized coaxially with the reference beam. Are received by different detectors, the position and tilt (rotation amounts in the θx and θy directions) of wafer stage WST1 are measured. That is, the position detection device is constituted by an optical system including the Z-axis interferometer 150, the beam splitter 83A, the prism 83B, and the like. Of course, three Z-axis interferometers may be provided, or the Z position of only one point of the plane mirror MZ1 may be measured by the Z-axis interferometer. The measurement value of the Z-axis interferometer 150 is supplied to the main controller 50.
In this case, wafer stage WST1 has only one self-weight canceller in order to suppress as much as possible that self-weight cancellers 70A to 70C prevent the measurement beam from Z-axis interferometer 150 from being irradiated onto flat mirror MZ1. It may be adopted.
Here, as the arrangement of the Z-axis interferometer 150, the beam splitter 83A, the prism 83B, etc., such an arrangement that can always measure the position and rotation of the wafer stage WST1 in the height direction within the moving range of the wafer stage WST1 is adopted. Is desirable.
Also, the other wafer stage WST2 is provided with three self-weight cancellers similar to the self-weight cancellers 70A to 70C provided on the wafer stage WST1, and these three self-weight cancellers allow the wafer stage WST2 to have a low rigidity with a positive pressure. While supporting, it is possible to absorb the inclination of wafer stage WST2.
Also, a plane mirror is attached to the bottom surface (surface on the −Z side) of wafer stage WST2 over the entire area excluding the portion where the self-weight canceller is arranged, and the stage base is attached to at least three points of the plane mirror. The measurement beam from the Z-axis interferometer is irradiated through a beam splitter, a prism, etc. provided on the SB, and the position and tilt direction (θx, θy directions) of the wafer stage WST2 in the same manner as described above. It is possible to measure the amount of rotation.
As described above, in this embodiment, wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are levitated and supported above support surface SBa by the three self-weight cancellers (70A to 70C), and their Z position and inclination (rotation in the θx and θy directions) are supported. Quantity) is measured by a Z-axis interferometer. For this reason, the upper surface SBa of the stage base SB does not need to be the movement reference surface of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2, so that it is not necessary to increase the flatness as in the conventional stage surface plate, and the processing is easy. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Returning to FIG. 1, a pair of alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2 as off-axis type mark detection systems having the same function are provided on both sides of the projection optical system PL in the X-axis direction. The optical axis AX of the PL (almost coincident with the projection center of the reticle pattern image) is installed at a position separated by the same distance.
As the alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2, in the present embodiment, FIA (Field Image Alignment) type alignment sensors, which are a kind of image processing type imaging type alignment sensor, are used. These alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2 include a light source (for example, a halogen lamp) and an imaging optical system, an index plate on which an index mark serving as a detection reference is formed, an image sensor (CCD), and the like. In these alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2, a mark to be detected is illuminated by broadband light from a light source, and reflected light from the vicinity of the mark is received by the CCD via an imaging optical system and an index. At this time, the mark image is formed on the image pickup surface of the CCD together with the index image. Then, by performing predetermined signal processing on the image signal (imaging signal) from the CCD, the position of the mark with respect to the center of the index mark that is the detection reference point is measured. FIA-type alignment sensors such as alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2 are particularly effective for detecting asymmetric marks on the aluminum layer and the wafer surface.
In the present embodiment, alignment system ALG1 is used for measuring the position of an alignment mark on a wafer held on wafer stage WST1, a reference mark formed on a reference mark plate (not shown), and the like. Alignment system ALG2 is used for measuring the position of alignment marks on a wafer held on wafer stage WST2 and a reference mark formed on a reference mark plate (not shown).
Image signals from the alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2 are A / D converted by an alignment control device (not shown), and the digitized waveform signal is arithmetically processed to detect the mark position with reference to the index center. Information on the mark position is sent from the alignment control device (not shown) to the main control device 50.
Next, the interferometer system for measuring the two-dimensional position of each wafer stage will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a Y-axis interferometer 116 is disposed on the reflecting surface of movable mirror MY1 on wafer stage WST1 along the Y-axis passing through the optical axis of projection optical system PL and the optical axis of alignment system ALG1. Is irradiated with an interferometer beam indicated by a measurement axis BI1Y. Similarly, the reflection surface of Y movable mirror MY2 on wafer stage WST2 is measured by Y axis interferometer 118 along the Y axis passing through the optical axis of projection optical system PL and the optical axis of alignment system ALG2. The interferometer beam indicated by the axis BI2Y is irradiated. The Y-axis interferometers 116 and 118 receive the reflected light from the movable mirrors MY1 and MY2, respectively, thereby measuring the relative displacement of each reflecting surface from the reference position, and the position of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 in the Y-axis direction. Is to measure. Here, the Y-axis interferometers 116 and 118 are three-axis interferometers each having three optical axes. In addition to the measurement in the Y-axis direction of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2, the pitching (rotation around the X-axis (θx rotation) is performed. )) And yawing (rotation in the θz direction) can be measured. The output value of each optical axis can be measured independently. However, since the pitch measurement of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 can be performed by the above-described Z-axis interferometer, the Y-axis interferometers 116 and 118 may not necessarily perform the pitching measurement.
The interferometer beams of the measurement axis BI1Y and the measurement axis BI2Y always come in contact with the movable mirrors MY1 and MY2 over the entire movement range of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2. Therefore, in the Y-axis direction, The position of wafer stages WST1 and WST2 is managed based on the measurement values of length measurement axis BI1Y and length measurement axis BI2Y, both during exposure using projection optical system PL and when alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2 are used. Is done.
In the present embodiment, an X-axis interferometer 146 having a measurement axis BI2X perpendicularly intersecting the measurement axes BI1Y and BI2Y with the optical axis of the projection optical system PL, and a measurement with the optical axes of the alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2. X-axis interferometers 144 and 148 having length measuring axes BI1X and BI3X respectively perpendicular to the axes BI1Y and BI2Y are provided.
In the case of this embodiment, the X-axis interferometer 146 having a measurement axis BI2X passing through the optical axis of the projection optical system PL is used for measuring the X-direction position of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 during exposure using the projection optical system PL. For measurement of the X-direction position of wafer stage WST1 when using alignment system ALG1, the measurement value of X-axis interferometer 144 having measurement axis BI1X passing through the optical axis of alignment system ALG1 is used. The measurement value of the X-axis interferometer 148 having the measurement axis BI3X passing through the optical axis of the alignment system ALG2 is used for the X-direction position measurement of the wafer stage WST2 used when the alignment system ALG2 is used.
Thus, in this embodiment, the wafer interferometer that manages the XY two-dimensional coordinate positions of wafer stages WST1 and WST2 by a total of five interferometers including Y-axis interferometers 116 and 118 and X-axis interferometers 144, 146, and 148. The system is configured.
In this embodiment, since the distance between the measurement beams of the X-axis interferometers 144 to 148 is larger than the length in the longitudinal direction of the movable mirrors MX1 and MX2, depending on the situation, the measurement axis of the X-axis interferometer may be the wafer stage. It will come off from the reflective surface of WST1 and WST2. That is, when the movement from the alignment position to the exposure position, or from the exposure position to the wafer exchange position, the state in which the interferometer beam in the X-axis direction does not hit the movable mirror of wafer stages WST1 and WST2 occurs. It is essential to switch the interferometer used in In consideration of this point, a linear encoder (not shown) that measures the position of wafer stage WST1, WST2 in the X-axis direction is provided.
That is, in this embodiment, the main controller 50 uses the Y-axis interferometer when the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are moved from the alignment position to the exposure position or from the exposure position to the wafer exchange position. Based on the measured Y position information of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 and the X position information of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 measured by the linear encoder, the movement of the Y and X positions of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 is controlled.
Of course, in the main controller 50, when the interferometer beam from the X-axis interferometer again hits the movable mirrors of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2, the measurement axis X-axis interferometer that has not been used for control until then is used. Thereafter, the movement of wafer stages WST1 and WST2 is controlled based only on the measurement values of the X-axis interferometer and Y-axis interferometer constituting the interferometer system.
The X-axis interferometers 144, 146, and 148 are two-axis interferometers each having two optical axes. In addition to the measurement in the X-axis direction of the wafer stages WST1 and WST2, the rolling (rotation around the Y-axis ( measurement of θy rotation)) is possible. In addition, the output value of each optical axis can be measured independently. In this case as well, the rolling measurement may not necessarily be performed for the same reason as described above, but the length measurement beam from the Z-axis interferometer is not irradiated to at least one of the three points. It is desirable to be able to perform rolling measurement. This also applies to the pitching measurement described above.
The measurement values of the interferometers constituting the interferometer system configured as described above are sent to the main controller 50. In main controller 50, wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are independently controlled based on the output values of the interferometers via drive devices DA and DB and Y-axis linear motors LY1 to LY4 described above.
Further, in this embodiment, although not shown, a reticle mark on the reticle R and a reference mark plate (not shown) on the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are provided above the reticle R via the projection optical system PL. There is provided a TTR (Through The Reticle) type reticle alignment system using an exposure wavelength for simultaneously observing the mark. The detection signals of these reticle alignment systems are supplied to the main controller 50 via an alignment controller (not shown). Note that the configuration of the reticle alignment system is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-176468, and the detailed description thereof is omitted here.
Although not shown, each of the projection optical system PL and alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2 has an autofocus / autoleveling measurement mechanism (hereinafter referred to as “AF / AL system”) for examining the in-focus position. Are provided. As described above, the configuration of the exposure apparatus in which the AF / AL system is provided in each of the projection optical system PL and the pair of alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2 is disclosed in detail in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-214783. Therefore, further explanation is omitted here.
In the exposure apparatus 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, while the wafer stage WST1 is performing an exposure operation immediately below the projection optical system PL, on the wafer stage WST2 side, the wafer exchange and the alignment system ALG2 are directly below. A wafer alignment operation is performed (state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Similarly, while wafer stage WST2 is performing an exposure operation immediately below projection optical system PL, wafer exchange is performed on wafer stage WST1 and wafer alignment operation is performed immediately below alignment system ALG1. That is, in the exposure apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, throughput is improved by performing parallel processing operations on the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 in this way.
During the exposure operation, the position of the wafer in the Z-axis direction is measured via the Z-axis interferometer 150, and the main controller 50 moves the wafer stage WST1 (or WST2) according to the measurement result. It is driven via a driving device DA (or DB). When the measurement beam from the Z-axis interferometer 150 does not hit the flat mirror, the position of the wafer in the Z direction may be measured using the AF / AL system. Alternatively, the Z position measurement of the wafer may be performed simultaneously by the Z axis interferometer 150 and the AF / AL system, and the position of the wafer stage in the Z axis direction may be controlled based on both measurement results.
In the wafer exchange, a wafer loader (not shown) unloads an exposed wafer placed on wafer stage WST1 (or wafer stage WST2) and loads a new wafer.
In the wafer alignment operation, wafer alignment such as an EGA (Enhanced Global Alignment) method disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-44429 is performed using the alignment system ALG1 or ALG2. After such wafer alignment is completed, the inter-shot stepping operation for moving wafer stage WST1 (or wafer stage WST2) to the acceleration start position for exposure of each shot area on wafer W1 (or wafer W2), as described above. A step-and-scan exposure operation is performed in which the exposure operation for transferring the pattern of the reticle R to the shot area to be exposed is repeated by scanning exposure. Since this exposure operation is performed in the same manner as a normal scanning stepper, detailed description thereof is omitted.
In the exposure operation, main controller 50 drives wafer stage WST1 (or WST2) in a long stroke in the Y-axis direction (scan direction) via a pair of Y-axis linear motors LY1, LY2 (or LY3, LY4). At the same time, wafer stage WST1 (or WST2) is finely driven in the direction of six degrees of freedom via drive device DA (or DB). In particular, in the scanning direction, the wafer stage can be finely driven by the Y-axis fine movement motors VY1 and VY2 so as to absorb a synchronization error between the wafer stage and the reticle stage RST due to the driving of the pair of Y-axis linear motors.
As described above in detail, according to the stage apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the movers 44A to 44F provided on the wafer stage WST1 (or WST2) and the stators 46A to 46A provided along the X-axis direction. A driving device DA (or DB) having 46F applies a driving force parallel to the XY plane to wafer stage WST1 (or WST2), so that wafer stage WST1 (or WST2) is orthogonal to the gravitational direction (Z-axis direction). Driving in the two-dimensional plane (XY plane) inward direction (X-axis, Y-axis and θz directions), tilt direction with respect to the XY plane ((θx, θy directions)), and Z-axis direction. Even if a stage having a complicated structure having a movable body movable in a two-dimensional plane and a table movable in the tilt direction on the movable body is not used, a wafer stage, In this case, the wafer stage can be moved in the six-degree-of-freedom direction, and the wafer stage can be manufactured as a single unit, thereby simplifying the structure of the wafer stage. In addition, there is a risk that the position controllability of the stage may be reduced due to the same factors as the above-described phenomenon of deterioration of the position controllability of the table due to the combination of the two-dimensional moving stage and the table, which has been a problem in the past. Therefore, it is possible to realize highly accurate position control of the wafer held on the wafer stage with a simple structure.
Further, in the stage apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, since the wafer stage has a box shape, it is possible to achieve high rigidity of the wafer stage, thereby driving the wafer stage stably. Is possible. In other words, it is possible to realize high-precision positioning of the wafer.
In addition, wafer stage WST1 and WST2 that hold the wafer and move in the XY plane have a cylinder portion 170A and a piston portion 170B that is inserted into the cylinder portion 170A and can move relative to the cylinder portion. The wafer weight cancellers 70A to 70C that support the weight of the wafer stage above the stage base SB are provided by the positive pressure of the gas inside the cylinder portion that urges the piston portion downward in the direction of gravity. By supporting the weights of the stages WST1 and WST2 with the positive pressure of the gas, the rigidity can be lowered compared to the air bearing mechanism that has conventionally supported the wafer stage in the Z-axis direction. As a result, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the stage base SB and the like from being transmitted to the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 as much as possible. From this point, it is possible to realize highly accurate position control of the stage.
In this embodiment, since the Z-axis interferometer for measuring the Z-axis direction positions of wafer stages WST1 and WST2 is provided, the height-direction positions of wafer stages WST1 and WST2 can always be detected. In this case, when a downflow is provided above the wafer stage in order to improve exposure accuracy, the Z-axis interferometer is placed in a space where the gas environment below the wafer stage is stable. The occurrence of fluctuations and the like is suppressed as much as possible, and the position of the wafer stage in the height direction can be detected with high accuracy.
Further, since the self-weight cancellers 70A to 70C have a thrust bearing that forms a predetermined clearance with the upper surface (support surface) of the stage base SB, the wafer stage is in a non-contact state with respect to the stage base SB. It is possible to support WST1 and WST2.
In addition, a thrust bearing is formed in the groove (gas outlet) 74b formed on the surface of the piston portion 170B on the side facing the upper surface of the stage base SB, and in the piston portion 170B, the positive inside the groove 74b and the cylinder 170A. Since it is configured to include an air supply passage 74a that communicates with the pressure space, non-contact between the self-weight canceller and the stage base can be realized without separately providing a bearing mechanism that requires piping or the like. it can.
Further, since the self-weight cancellers 70A to 70C include a radial bearing that forms a predetermined clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 170A and the outer peripheral surface of the piston portion 170B, the inclination of the wafer stage can be absorbed. This can suppress the vibration of the wafer stage. Also in this case, the radial bearings are formed in the gas outlet (throttle hole) 78 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston part 170B, and in the piston part 170B. By including the air supply passages (venting conduits) 76a to 76d that communicate with the positive pressure space, there is no need to provide a bearing mechanism that requires a separate piping, and therefore there is a risk of dragging the piping. Therefore, it is possible to control the drive of the wafer stage with high accuracy.
Further, since the self-weight cancellers are provided at three positions that are not on a straight line, the wafer stage can be stably supported in the Z-axis direction.
Moreover, according to the exposure apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since the stage apparatus capable of highly accurate position control is provided, the pattern formed on the reticle can be transferred onto the wafer with high precision. Further, in this embodiment, since two wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are provided, the exposure operation, the alignment operation, etc. can be processed in parallel on the two wafer stages, so that the throughput can be improved. It is.
In the above embodiment, wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are driven in the direction of six degrees of freedom. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the stage apparatus of the present invention, the stage is held on the stage. It is only necessary that the formed object can be driven in at least one degree of freedom direction in the two-dimensional in-plane direction and in an inclination direction (one degree of freedom direction or two degrees of freedom direction) with respect to the two-dimensional surface.
In the above embodiment, the case where the wafer stage of the present invention is adopted in a twin stage type stage apparatus having two wafer stages has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one wafer stage is used. It can also be employed in a single stage type wafer stage apparatus provided. A multi-type wafer stage apparatus including three or more wafer stages can also be employed.
Further, if the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are configured to be detachable from the stator and the wafer stages WST1 and WST2 are replaced with each other to form a switching type twin stage, the alignment system can be made one. it can.
In the above embodiment, the position of the wafer stage in the Z-axis direction is measured using a Z-axis interferometer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and without providing a Z-axis interferometer, The position of the wafer stage in the Z-axis direction may be measured using an AF mechanism.
In the above embodiment, the wafer stage has been described as having a box shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and corresponds to a plurality of stators arranged along a predetermined uniaxial direction. The wafer stage may have any shape as long as the mover of each motor described above can be provided on the wafer stage side.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the stage base SB is supported substantially horizontally on the floor surface via a vibration isolation unit (not shown) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the stator 64A of the Y-axis linear motors LY1 and LY3 and the stator 64B of the Y-axis linear motors LY2 and LY4 are fixed to the stage base SB, and the bottom of the stage base SB is fixed. A plurality of air pads AP may be provided, and by these air pads AP, the above-described components above the stage base SB may be levitated and supported above the upper surface of another stage base 45 in a non-contact manner. When such a configuration is adopted, when wafer stages WST1 and WST2 move in the XY plane, the reaction force of the driving force that causes the movement acts on stators 64A and 64B. The stage base SB moves in a direction to cancel the force. Therefore, the occurrence of vibration due to the movement of wafer stages WST1 and WST2 in the XY plane can be prevented with certainty, and the center of gravity of the system including stage base SB does not move. Can be prevented. In this case, since the stage base SB inevitably has a large mass (weight), it is not necessary to secure a large movement stroke of the stage base SB. Furthermore, it is good also as providing the drive mechanism (trim motor) which can drive stage base SB within XY plane. In such a case, when the exposure is not affected, the position of the stage base SB can be returned to a predetermined position by the trim motor.
In the above embodiment, the wafer stage is configured to include the self-weight canceller. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wafer is driven by the Z-axis fine movement motor VZ that generates a driving force in the Z-axis direction. A configuration that supports the weight of the stage may be adopted.
In the above embodiment, the case where the stage apparatus of the present invention is applied to a wafer drive system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the stage apparatus of the present invention is applied as a reticle drive system. It is also possible to do. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the stage apparatus of the present invention is applied to a reticle drive system.
A reticle-side stage device 101 shown in FIG. 10 includes a reticle stage RST ′ as a substantially flat stage for holding a reticle R, and the reticle stage RST ′ is driven with a long stroke in the Y-axis direction. And a driving device that minutely drives in the axial direction, the Z-axis direction, and the θx, θy, and θz directions.
The drive device is a Y-axis linear motor 103 that applies a drive force in the Y-axis direction to reticle stage RST ′.1~ 103FourAn X-axis fine movement motor 105 that applies a driving force in the X-axis direction to the reticle stage RST ', and a Z-axis fine driving motor 107 that applies a driving force in the Z-axis direction to the reticle stage RST'.11072And.
Y-axis linear motor 1031Includes a magnetic pole unit 113A embedded in the reticle stage RST ′ and an armature unit 113B arranged to face the magnetic pole unit 113A, and is alternately formed in the Y-axis direction formed by the magnetic pole unit 113A. A driving force in the Y-axis direction is generated by an electromagnetic interaction between the magnetic field and the current flowing through the plurality of armature coils provided in the armature unit 113B. Other Y-axis linear motor 1032~ 103FourThe same configuration is also applied to.
The X-axis fine motor 105 is constituted by a voice coil motor, and a permanent magnet 115A having a longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction provided at the −X end portion of the reticle stage RST ′, and a mounting member 97 on the surface plate 99. And an armature unit 115B having a longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction and a U-shaped (U-shaped) XZ cross section. An armature coil is provided in the armature unit 115B so that a current flows in the Y-axis direction through a magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet 115A. The current in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction by the permanent magnet are provided. Due to the electromagnetic interaction with the magnetic field, a driving force in the X-axis direction acting on the reticle stage RST ′ is generated.
Z-axis drive motor 10711072Similarly to the X-axis fine movement motor 105, a permanent magnet provided on the lower end surface of the reticle stage RST ′ and a magnetic pole unit having a U-shaped cross section provided on the surface plate 99 are constituted by a voice coil motor. I have. As a result, a driving force in the Z-axis direction acts on the reticle stage RST ′.
According to the driving apparatus configured as described above, the reticle stage RST ′ is driven in the X, Y, and Z axis directions, and, of course, the Y axis linear motor 103.1~ 103FourLinear motor 103 located on the upper side of1, 103ThreeAnd linear motor 103 located on the lower side2, 103FourThe reticle stage RST 'can be finely driven in the rotational direction around the X axis (pitching direction) by varying the driving force of the linear motor 103 positioned on the -X side of the reticle R.1, 1032And the linear motor 103 located on the + X side of the reticle R.Three, 103FourThus, it is possible to finely drive reticle stage RST ′ in the rotation direction around the Z axis (the yawing direction). Further, two Z-axis drive motors 10711072Thus, the reticle stage RST 'can be finely driven in the rotation direction (rolling direction) around the Y axis.
Thus, by adopting the above-described configuration as the stage device on the reticle side, it is possible to drive reticle stage RST ′ in the direction of six degrees of freedom without employing a reticle stage with a coarse / fine movement structure. This makes it possible to control the position of the reticle with high accuracy and to reduce the size and weight of the reticle stage.
Further, in the configuration of FIG. 10, a pair of X-axis fine movement motors arranged in two upper and lower stages may be employed instead of the X-axis fine movement motor 105. In this way, the reticle stage RST ′ can be finely driven in the rotation direction (rolling direction) around the Y axis by varying the driving force in the X axis direction generated by each of the pair of X axis fine movement motors. It becomes.
Therefore, by replacing the reticle-side stage apparatus shown in FIG. 10 with each of the reticle-side components including the reticle stage RST shown in FIG. 1, the same effects as the exposure apparatus 10 of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to improve the exposure accuracy by improving the position controllability of the reticle R, and by improving the synchronization accuracy between the reticle and the wafer.
Of course, the stage apparatus of the present invention may be applied only to the reticle driving system.
In the configuration of FIG. 10, the stator of the Y-axis linear motor that drives reticle stage RST ′ in the Y-axis direction is fixed to a rectangular frame-like member that is levitated and supported while surrounding the reticle stage on surface plate 99. It is also good to do. As a result, the frame-like member moves in the Y-axis direction due to the reaction force generated by driving the reticle stage, so that the reaction force can be canceled. Also in this case, a trim motor for driving the rectangular frame member may be provided.
In the embodiment, far ultraviolet light such as KrF excimer laser light is used as the illumination light IL, F2Lasers, vacuum ultraviolet light such as ArF excimer laser, or ultraviolet bright lines (g-line, i-line, etc.) from an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp are used.2Other vacuum ultraviolet light such as laser light (wavelength 126 nm) may be used. Further, for example, not only laser light output from each of the above light sources as vacuum ultraviolet light, but also single wavelength laser light in the infrared region or visible region oscillated from a DFB semiconductor laser or fiber laser, for example, erbium (Er) A harmonic that is amplified by a fiber amplifier doped with erbium and ytterbium (Yb) and wavelength-converted into ultraviolet light using a nonlinear optical crystal may be used.
Further, an exposure apparatus that uses EUV light, X-rays, or charged particle beams such as an electron beam or an ion beam as illumination light IL, a projection type exposure apparatus that does not use a projection optical system, for example, a proximity projection aligner The present invention may also be applied to an immersion type exposure apparatus disclosed in International Publication WO99 / 49504 and the like in which a liquid is filled between the projection optical system PL and the wafer.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a scanning exposure apparatus such as a step-and-scan method has been described, but it is needless to say that the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present invention can be suitably applied to a step-and-repeat reduction projection exposure apparatus.
An illumination optical system and projection optical system composed of a plurality of lenses are incorporated into the exposure apparatus body for optical adjustment, and a reticle stage and wafer stage made up of a number of mechanical parts are attached to the exposure apparatus body to provide wiring and piping. , And further performing general adjustment (electrical adjustment, operation check, etc.), the exposure apparatus of the above embodiment can be manufactured. The exposure apparatus is preferably manufactured in a clean room where the temperature, cleanliness, etc. are controlled.
The present invention is not limited to an exposure apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor, but is used for manufacturing a display including a liquid crystal display element. An exposure apparatus for transferring a device pattern onto a glass plate and a device used for manufacturing a thin film magnetic head. The present invention can also be applied to an exposure apparatus that transfers a pattern onto a ceramic wafer, and an exposure apparatus that is used for manufacturing an imaging device (CCD or the like), micromachine, organic EL, DNA chip, and the like. Further, in order to manufacture reticles or masks used in not only microdevices such as semiconductor elements but also light exposure apparatuses, EUV exposure apparatuses, X-ray exposure apparatuses, and electron beam exposure apparatuses, glass substrates, silicon wafers, etc. The present invention can also be applied to an exposure apparatus that transfers a circuit pattern. Here, in an exposure apparatus using DUV (far ultraviolet) light, VUV (vacuum ultraviolet) light, or the like, a transmission type reticle is generally used. As a reticle substrate, quartz glass, fluorine-doped quartz glass, meteorite, Magnesium fluoride or quartz is used. Further, in a proximity type X-ray exposure apparatus or an electron beam exposure apparatus, a transmission mask (stencil mask, membrane mask) is used, and a silicon wafer or the like is used as a mask substrate.
A semiconductor device includes a step of performing functional / performance design of a device, a step of manufacturing a reticle based on the design step, a step of manufacturing a wafer from a silicon material, and a reticle by the above-described method using the exposure apparatus of the above-described embodiment. This pattern is manufactured through a step of transferring the pattern to a wafer, a device assembly step (including a dicing process, a bonding process, and a packaging process), an inspection step, and the like.
As described above, according to the stage apparatus of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to realize highly accurate position control of an object held on the stage.
Further, according to the exposure apparatus of the present invention, there is an effect that high-precision exposure can be realized.
2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the stage apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the wafer stage WST1 and the drive device taken out, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the wafer stage WST1 taken out.
4A is a perspective view showing a state in which the wafer stage is viewed from the lower surface side, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which the plane mirror in FIG. 4A is removed. It is.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a self-weight canceller.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a self-weight canceller in vertical section.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a self-weight canceller.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a Z-axis interferometer.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a modification.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example when the stage apparatus of the present invention is employed in a reticle driving system.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a conventional technique.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Exposure apparatus, 20 ... Stage apparatus, 44A-44F ... Movable element, 46A-46F ... Stator, 70A-70C ... Self-weight canceller (self-weight support mechanism), 74a ... Ventilation line (air supply line, 1st bearing) Part of the mechanism), 74b ... Bearing groove (gas outlet, part of the first bearing mechanism), 76a to 76d ... Ventilation pipe (air supply pipe, part of the second bearing mechanism), 78 ... Aperture hole (gas jet, part of second bearing mechanism), 83A ... beam splitter (part of position detection device), 83B ... prism (part of position detection device), 150 ... Z-axis interferometer (light wave) Interferometric length measuring device, part of position detector), 170A ... cylinder part, 170B ... piston part, DA, DB ... drive device (part of drive system), LY1 to LY4 ... Y-axis linear motor (drive system part) Part), IL ... Illumination light (Energy Bee ), MZ1 ... plane mirror (reflecting surface), R ... reticle (mask), SB ... stage base, W1, W2 ... wafer (object, photosensitive object), WST1, WST2 ... wafer stage (stage).
A stage that holds an object and is at least movable in a two-dimensional in-plane direction that includes a second axis direction and a third axis direction that are orthogonal to the first axis direction, which is the direction of gravity , and each orthogonal to the first axis direction. When;
A mover that is connected to the stage, and a stator for generating a driving force for driving the stage in the second axis direction by cooperating with the movable element, the second axial driving actuator including A plurality of driving devices with respect to the first axial direction ;
The driving force generated by each of the plurality of second axial drive actuators is controlled to rotate the stage on the support surface on which the stage is supported, in the direction of the second axis or the third axis. And a control device for driving the stage device.
The drive device has a plurality of the second axial drive actuators also in the third axial direction,
The stage device according to claim 1, wherein the control device drives the stage also in the rotation direction around the first axis on the support surface .
The driving device includes a mover connected to the stage, and a first axial direction including a stator that generates a driving force for driving the stage in the first axial direction in cooperation with the mover. It further has a drive actuator,
The stage device according to claim 1 , wherein the control device controls the first axial driving actuator to drive the stage also in the gravitational direction on the support surface .
The driving device generates a driving force for driving the stage in the first axial direction by cooperating with the movable element connected to the stage and the movable element, and is provided with respect to the third axial direction. A first axial drive actuator further comprising: a stator disposed between a plurality of stators of the plurality of second axial drive actuators ;
The stage device according to claim 2 , wherein the control device controls the first axial driving actuator to drive the stage also in the gravity direction on the support surface .
The driving device includes a mover connected to the stage, and a third axial direction including a stator that generates a driving force for driving the stage in the third axial direction by cooperating with the mover. A plurality of drive actuators with respect to the first axial direction;
The control device controls the driving force generated by each of the plurality of third axial drive actuators to drive the stage in the third axial direction or the rotational direction around the second axis on the support surface. the stage apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.
The stage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stage has a box shape.
The cylinder having a cylinder portion provided at a bottom portion of the stage and a piston portion inserted into the cylinder portion and movable relative to the cylinder portion, and biasing the piston portion downward in a gravitational direction The stage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a self-weight support mechanism that supports the self-weight of the stage above the support surface by a positive pressure of gas inside the unit.
The stage apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a position detection device that detects a position of the stage in the vicinity of the self-weight support mechanism.
The stage apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the self-weight support mechanism includes a first bearing mechanism that forms a predetermined clearance with the support surface.
The first bearing mechanism includes a gas outlet formed on a surface of the piston portion facing the support surface, a positive pressure space formed in the piston portion, and inside the gas outlet and the cylinder. The stage apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an air supply passage that communicates with the air supply passage.
The said self-weight support mechanism further has a 2nd bearing mechanism which forms a predetermined clearance between the internal peripheral surface of the said cylinder part, and the outer peripheral surface of the said piston part, The Claim 9 or 10 characterized by the above-mentioned. Stage equipment.
The second bearing mechanism is a gas supply passage formed in an outer peripheral surface of the piston portion, and an air supply passage formed in the piston portion and communicating the gas injection port and a positive pressure space inside the cylinder. The stage apparatus according to claim 11 , comprising:
The stage device according to any one of claims 7 to 12 , wherein the self-weight support mechanisms are provided at at least three places that are not in a straight line.
The stage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , further comprising a stage base on which the support surface is formed.
The stage base is configured to be movable according to a law of conservation of momentum by the action of a reaction force of a driving force that causes the movement of the stage in the two-dimensional in-plane direction. Item 15. The stage device according to Item 14 .
The stage apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising a drive mechanism that drives the stage base in the two-dimensional plane.
A light wave interference type length measuring device that irradiates a length measuring beam on a reflecting surface provided on the stage, receives light reflected by the reflecting surface of the length measuring beam, and measures the position of the stage in the gravitational direction. The stage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and 9 to 16 .
A plurality of the stages are provided, each holding the object,
A plurality of the driving devices are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of stage devices,
The stage device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the control device drives the plurality of stages individually using the plurality of driving devices.
An exposure apparatus that illuminates a mask with an energy beam and transfers a pattern formed on the mask onto a photosensitive object,
At least as one of the drive system, an exposure apparatus characterized by comprising a stage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, and the mask and the object.
JP2003098464A 2003-04-01 2003-04-01 Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus Active JP4362862B2 (en)
JP2003098464A JP4362862B2 (en) 2003-04-01 2003-04-01 Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus
TW093104536A TWI341551B (en) 2003-04-01 2004-02-24 Stage apparatus and light exposing apparatus
EP04724856.2A EP1610362B1 (en) 2003-04-01 2004-03-31 Stage device, exposure apparatus and method of producing a device
PCT/JP2004/004718 WO2004090953A1 (en) 2003-04-01 2004-03-31 Stage device, exposure deice, and method of producing device
KR1020117024304A KR20110128930A (en) 2003-04-01 2004-03-31 Stage device, exposure device, and method of producing device
KR20057007174A KR101096479B1 (en) 2003-04-01 2004-03-31 Stage device, exposure device, and method of producing device
US11/133,372 US7589823B2 (en) 2003-04-01 2005-05-20 Stage device, exposure apparatus, and method of manufacturing device
JP2004311459A JP2004311459A (en) 2004-11-04
JP4362862B2 true JP4362862B2 (en) 2009-11-11
ID=33156672
JP2003098464A Active JP4362862B2 (en) 2003-04-01 2003-04-01 Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus
US (1) US7589823B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1610362B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4362862B2 (en)
KR (2) KR101096479B1 (en)
TW (1) TWI341551B (en)
WO (1) WO2004090953A1 (en)
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2003-04-01 JP JP2003098464A patent/JP4362862B2/en active Active
2004-02-24 TW TW093104536A patent/TWI341551B/en active
2004-03-31 EP EP04724856.2A patent/EP1610362B1/en active Active
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