Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9224632B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-07-18 07:15:41
Document Index: 668537447

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2004', 'arts 46', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'arts 42', 'arts 42', 'art 42', 'art.\n5', 'art.\n6', 'art.\n7', 'art.\n9', 'art.\n10', 'art.\n12', 'art.\n13', 'art.\n14', 'art.\n15', 'art.\n16', 'art.\n18', 'art.\n20', 'art.\n21', 'Application No. 094144222', 'Application No. 2011', 'Application No. 183882', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 2007', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 094144222']

US9224632B2 - Substrate holding apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device fabricating method - Google Patents
US9224632B2
US9224632B2 US11/792,924 US79292405A US9224632B2 US 9224632 B2 US9224632 B2 US 9224632B2 US 79292405 A US79292405 A US 79292405A US 9224632 B2 US9224632 B2 US 9224632B2
US11/792,924
US20080111984A1 (en
2005-12-14 Application filed by Nikon Corp filed Critical Nikon Corp
2007-06-13 Assigned to NIKON CORPORATION reassignment NIKON CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SHIBUTA, MAKOTO
2008-05-15 Publication of US20080111984A1 publication Critical patent/US20080111984A1/en
2015-12-29 Publication of US9224632B2 publication Critical patent/US9224632B2/en
To provide a substrate holding apparatus that can rapidly recover liquid that has infiltrated the rear surface side of a substrate. A substrate holding apparatus comprises: a base; a first support part, which is formed on the base and supports a rear surface of a substrate to be processed; a first circumferential wall part, which is formed on the base and is provided so that it opposes the rear surface of the substrate to be processed and surrounds the first support part; and a first recovery port, which is provided on the outer side of the first circumferential wall part; wherein, the flow of a gas along the first circumferential wall part moves the liquid on the outer side of the first circumferential wall part to the first recovery port, where the liquid is recovered.
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-363478, filed on Dec. 15, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The exposure apparatus EX of the present embodiment is a liquid immersion exposure apparatus that employs the liquid immersion method to substantially shorten the exposure wavelength, improve the resolution, as well as substantially increase the depth of focus, and comprises a liquid immersion mechanism 100 for filling a liquid LQ in an optical path space K1 in the optical path of the exposure light EL on the image plane side of the projection optical system PL. The liquid immersion mechanism 100 comprises: a nozzle member 70, which is provided in the vicinity of the image plane of the projection optical system PL, that has supply ports 12 that supply the liquid LQ and recovery ports 22 that recover such; a liquid supply mechanism 10 that supplies the liquid LQ to the optical path space K1 on the image plane side of the projection optical system PL through the supply ports 12 provided to the nozzle member 70; and a liquid recovery mechanism 20 that recovers the liquid LQ on the image plane side of the projection optical system PL through the recovery ports 22 provided to the nozzle member 70. The nozzle member 70 is annularly formed above the substrate P (substrate holder PH) so that it surrounds a first optical element LS 1, which is the element of the plurality of optical elements that constitute the projection optical system PL that is closest to the image plane of the projection optical system PL.
A substrate stage drive apparatus PSTD drives the substrate stage PST. The substrate stage drive apparatus PSTD comprises an XY drive mechanism, which includes a linear motor and the like and moves the XY stage 90 on the base BP in the X and Y axial directions and the θZ directions, and a Z drive mechanism, which includes a voice coil motor and the like and moves the Z tilt stage 95 in the Z axial directions and the θX and θY directions. The front surface Pa of the substrate P held by the substrate holder PH can move in the directions of six degrees of freedom, i.e., the X, Y, and Z axial directions and the θX, θY, and θZ directions, by the drive of the Z tilt stage 95 and the XY stage 90. Movable mirrors 93 are provided to side surfaces of the substrate holder PH. In addition, a laser interferometer 94 is provided at a position opposing each movable mirror 93. The laser interferometers 94 measure in real time the position of the substrate P on the substrate holder PH in the two dimensional directions as well as the rotational angle. In addition, the exposure apparatus EX comprises an oblique incidence type focus leveling detection system (not shown) that detects surface position information of the upper surface Pa of the substrate P that is supported by the substrate holder PH as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. H08-837149. Before and during the exposure, the focus leveling detection system detects the surface position information (positional information in the Z axial directions, and inclination information in the θX and θY directions) of the upper surface Pa of the substrate P. Furthermore, the focus leveling detection system may also employ a system that uses an electrostatic capacitance type sensor. The measurement results of the laser interferometers 94 are output to the control apparatus CONT. The detection results of the focus leveling detection system are also output to the control apparatus CONT. Based on the detection results of the focus leveling detection system, the control apparatus CONT aligns the upper surface Pa of the substrate P with the image plane of the projection optical system PL by driving the substrate stage drive apparatus PSTD and controlling the focus position (Z position) and inclination angle (θX and θY) of the substrate P; in addition, based on the measurement results of the laser interferometers 94, the control apparatus CONT controls the position of the substrate P in the X and Y axial directions and the θZ directions.
When performing an immersion exposure of the substrate P, the control apparatus CONT exposes the substrate P by using the liquid immersion mechanism 100 to fill the liquid LQ in the optical path space K1 of the exposure light E1, between the projection optical system PL and the substrate P held by the substrate holder PH, and then radiating the exposure light EL onto the substrate P through the projection optical system PL and the liquid LQ.
After the substrate P is loaded onto the substrate holder PH, the control apparatus CONT negatively pressurizes the first space 31 and uses the first holding part PH1 of the substrate holder PH to hold the loaded substrate P. At this time; the rear surface Pb of the substrate P supported by the first support parts 46 and the upper surface 42A of the first circumferential wall part 42 contact one another (form a tight seal). The control apparatus CONT uses the substrate stage drive apparatus PSTD to move the substrate stage PST, which is supported by the substrate holder PH, to an exposure process position J1 at which the exposure is performed (step SA2). Here, the exposure process position J1 is a position that is directly below the projection optical system PL. In a state wherein the projection optical system PL and the substrate P (substrate holder PH) are opposed to one another, the control apparatus CONT uses the liquid immersion mechanism 100 to start the operations of supplying and recovering the liquid LQ, and forms the liquid immersion region LR of the liquid LQ on the image plane side of the projection optical system PL (step SA3). The control apparatus CONT fills the optical path space K1 between the projection optical system PL and the substrate P with the liquid LQ by forming the liquid immersion region LR, and then emits the exposure light EL from the illumination optical system IL and radiates such through the projection optical system PL and the liquid LQ onto the substrate P held by the substrate holder PH, thereby performing an immersion exposure of the substrate P (step SA4).
In addition, if it is difficult to provide the first recovery port 51N on the inner side of the recessed part 42N due to, for example, design considerations, then the first recovery port 51N may be provided at a position that is shifted from a center position e1 of the recessed part 42N by a prescribed distance α in the circumferential direction of the first circumferential wall part 42, as shown in FIG. 11. In so doing, a flow of gas can be generated on the inner side of the recessed part 42N even if the first recovery port 51N is provided on the outer side of the recessed part 42N, which makes it possible to move the liquid LQ that pools on the inner side of the recessed part 42N to the first recovery port 51N, and thereby the liquid LQ is recovered. Furthermore, if the width of the recessed part 42N is assigned to β, then the distance α preferably satisfies the condition of α>β/2. In so doing, it is possible to generate a flow of gas on the inner side of the recessed part 42N.
In the present embodiment, the gap C is set to 1-10 μm, but its size is preferably optimized in accordance with, for example, the force of the suction through the first recovery ports 51 and the viscosity of the liquid LQ. Optimizing the gap C in accordance with, for example, the force of the suction through the first recovery ports 51 and the viscosity of the liquid LQ makes it possible to sufficiently increase the speed of the flows of gas in the gap C and to draw the liquid LQ adhered to the overhanging part H1 into the second space 33A, and thereby to use the first recovery ports 51 to satisfactorily recover the liquid LQ.
Furthermore, in the first through third embodiments discussed above, the recessed part 42N of the first circumferential wall part 42 is formed so that it matches the notched part NT formed in the substrate P, as shown in, for example, FIG. 9, and the first recovery port 51N is formed on the inner side of that recessed part 42N, but one recessed part 42N may be provided to the first circumferential wall part 42 at each location of a plurality of locations at prescribed spacings, and all or some of the first recovery ports 51 may be disposed on the inner side of the recessed parts 42N. In this case, ifjust one first recovery port 51 is provided, then it is preferable to leave just the first recovery port 51N on the inner side of the recessed parts 42N, which is formed in the first circumferential wall part 42 and matches the notched part NT formed in the substrate P.
Furthermore, although the liquid LQ in the present embodiment is water, it may be a liquid other than water; for example, if the light source of the exposure light EL is an F2 laser, then this F2 laser light will not transmit through water, so it would be acceptable to use a fluorine based fluid that is capable of transmitting F2 laser light; such as perfluorinated polyether (PFPE) or fluorine based oil, as the liquid LQ. In this case, the parts of the projection optical system PL that make contact with the liquid LQ are treated so as to make them lyophilic by forming a thin film with, for example, a substance that has a molecular structure that contains fluorine and has low polarity. In addition, it is also possible to use a liquid (e.g., cedar oil) that is transparent to the exposure light EL, has the highest possible refractive index, and is stable with respect to the projection optical system PL and/or the photoresist coated on the front surface Pa of the substrate P as the liquid LQ. In this case as well, the surface treatment is performed in accordance with the polarity of the liquid LQ used.
1. A substrate holding apparatus that holds a substrate, to an upper surface of which a liquid is supplied, and that moves relative to a liquid immersion region formed by the liquid, the apparatus comprising:
a first support part, which is formed on the base and supports a rear surface of the substrate;
a first circumferential wall part, which is formed on the base and is provided so that the first circumferential wall part comprises an upper surface which opposes the rear surface of the substrate supported by the first support part and surrounds the first support part;
a suction port that is (i) provided facing a first space defined by side surfaces comprising a portion of the base, a portion of the first circumferential wall part, and a portion of the substrate and (ii) capable of suctioning a gas in the first space, so that the first space is negatively pressurized;
a second circumferential wall part, which is provided outside the first circumferential wall part;
a side surface part which is provided along an outer side surface of the second circumferential wall part so that the side surface part surrounds the outer side surface of the second circumferential wall part; and
a plurality of first recovery ports, which are provided facing a second space between an outer side surface of the first circumferential wall part and an inner side surface of the second circumferential wall part and recovers a liquid which infiltrates the second space,
wherein the plurality of first recovery ports are arranged along a circumferential direction of the first circumferential wall part and recovers the liquid inside the second space which is moved to the plurality of first recovery ports by a flow of the gas which is generated between the plurality of first recovery ports along the circumferential direction, and
a vertical cross sectional shape of the first support part and a vertical cross sectional shape of the first circumferential wall part are different from each other.
2. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a suction apparatus that is connected to the plurality of first recovery ports and suctions a gas inside of the second space via the plurality of first recovery ports.
the first circumferential wall part is provided on an inner side of an edge part of the substrate supported by the first support part; and
the liquid recovered through the plurality of first recovery ports include a liquid that is adhering to an area of the rear surface of the substrate on the outer side of the first circumferential wall part.
the plurality of first recovery ports are provided on the base at a prescribed position in a vicinity of the first circumferential wall part.
5. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the plurality of first recovery ports are provided on the base on an inner side of an edge part of the substrate supported by the first support part.
6. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the plurality of first recovery ports are provided in predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the first circumferential wall part.
7. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the plurality of first recovery ports recovers the liquid in the second space in a state negatively pressurizing the first space via the suction port.
8. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the first circumferential wall part comprises a recessed part, which is in accord with a notch formed in the substrate; and
the plurality of first recovery ports are provided on an inner side of the recessed part.
9. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the plurality of first recovery ports are provided at a position that is shifted from a center position of the recessed part by a prescribed distance in the circumferential direction of the first circumferential wall part.
10. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
an upper surface of the second circumferential wall part and the rear surface of the substrate supported by the first support part oppose one another.
11. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
the upper surface of the second circumferential wall part is formed so that the upper surface of the second circumferential wall part is lower than the upper surface of the first circumferential wall part.
12. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a passageway which fluidically connects the second space and a third space on an outer side of the second circumferential wall part.
13. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the passageway comprises a hole, which is provided to one part of the second circumferential wall part.
14. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the passageway comprises a slit part, which is provided to one part of the second circumferential wall part.
15. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the passageway comprises a gap, which is provided between the second circumferential wall part and the substrate supported by the first support part.
16. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a second recovery port that faces a third space on an outer side of the second circumferential wall part and recovers a liquid infiltrated into the third space.
17. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:
a plate holding part, which is formed on the base and holds a plate member so that the plate member surrounds a circumference of the substrate supported by the first support part, wherein,
the plate holding part holds the plate member so that a space is formed on a rear surface side of the plate member, and
the second recovery port is provided on the rear surface side of the plate member held by the plate holding part.
18. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the substrate supported by the first support part and an area of one part of an upper surface of the second circumferential wall part oppose one another; and
the plate member and another area of the upper surface of the second circumferential wall part oppose one another.
a gap is formed between the rear surface of the plate member and the upper surface of the second circumferential wall part.
20. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the plate holding part comprises a second support part, which supports the rear surface of the plate member, and an outer wall part, which surrounds the second support part, and chucks the rear surface of the plate member by the second support part by negatively pressurizing a space, which is surrounded by the plate member, the outer wall part, and the base, and
the second recovery port is provided between the second circumferential wall part and the outer wall part.
21. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the plate member is liquid repellent with respect to the liquid.
22. The substrate holding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the first recovery port and the second recovery port recover the liquid that infiltrates from between the substrate supported by the first support part and the plate member.
23. An exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate through a projection optical system and a liquid immersion region, which is formed by a liquid supplied at an image plane side of the projection optical systems, the apparatus comprising:
the substrate holding apparatus according to claim 1 which moves the substrate while holding the substrate, wherein,
the substrate, which is held by the substrate holding apparatus, is exposed through the liquid.
a recovery operation using the first recovery port is stopped during exposure through the liquid.
after the exposure through the liquid is complete, a recovery operation using the first recovery port is performed in a state wherein the substrate is held by the substrate holding apparatus.
26. The exposure apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising:
a drive apparatus that moves the substrate holding apparatus between a first position, at which the substrate is exposed, and a second position, which is separate from the first position, wherein
the recovery operation using the first recovery port is performed during the movement of the substrate holding apparatus.
exposing a substrate held by a substrate holding apparatus via a liquid by using the exposure apparatus according to claim 23; and
processing the substrate exposed by the exposure apparatus to fabricate the device.
28. A substrate holding apparatus that holds a substrate, to an upper surface of which a liquid is supplied, and that moves relative to a liquid immersion region formed by the liquid, the apparatus comprising:
a vertical cross sectional shape of the first support part and a vertical cross sectional shape of the first circumferential wall part are different from each other in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the upper surface of the first circumferential wall part.
US11/792,924 2004-12-15 2005-12-14 Substrate holding apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device fabricating method Active 2029-03-12 US9224632B2 (en)
PCT/JP2005/022968 A-371-Of-International WO2006064851A1 (en) 2004-12-15 2005-12-14 Substrate holding apparatus, exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
US20080111984A1 US20080111984A1 (en) 2008-05-15
US9224632B2 true US9224632B2 (en) 2015-12-29
Dec. 11, 2012 Office Action issued in Taiwanese Patent Application No. 094144222 (with translation).
Dec. 18, 2012 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-121109 (with translation).
International Search Report issued in Patent Application No. PCT/JP2005/022968, dated Mar. 20, 2006 (with trans.).
Israeli Office Action issued in Israeli Patent Application No. 183882, dated Jul. 19, 2010 (with trans.).
Japanese Patent Office, Notice of Reasons for Rejection mailed Mar. 6, 2012 in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-548888w/English-language Translation.
Korean Patent Office, Notice of Grounds for Rejection mailed on Aug. 1, 2012 in Korean Patent Application No. 2007-7004198 w/English-language Translation.
Mar. 29, 2011 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-548888 (w/English-language Translation).
Taiwanese Patent Office, Examination Report mailed Apr. 11, 2012 in Taiwanese Patent Application No. 094144222 w/English-language Translation.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority issued in Patent Application No. PCT/JP2005/022968, dated Mar. 20, 2006 (with trans.).
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHIBUTA, MAKOTO;REEL/FRAME:019459/0495