Source: http://www.google.fr/patents/US9046790
Timestamp: 2017-11-24 00:20:12
Document Index: 186189095

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2004', 'art) 41', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'Application No. 2013', 'Application No. 13196627', 'Application No. 2010', 'Application No. 20050641', 'Application No. 200480009673', 'Application No. 200506412', 'Application No. 10', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 2006', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'Application No. 201010113626', 'Application No. 200800251', 'Application No. 2005', 'Application No. 2005', 'Application No. 200800250', 'Application No. 04758599', 'Application No. 13180843', 'Application No. 13180845', 'Application No. 13196627', 'Application No. 04', 'Application No. 04758599', 'Application No. 04759085', 'Application No. 2014', 'Application No. 200480009675', 'Application No. 2010', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 10', 'Application No. 200480009673', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 200480009673', 'Application No. 200480009675', 'Application No. 13180843', 'Application No. 201310235130', 'Application No. 2010', 'Application No. 200506412', 'Application No. 13180845', 'Application No. 201310339659', 'Application No. 201310236773', 'Application No. 200480009675', 'Application No. 04759085', 'Application No. 10']

Brevet US9046790 - Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method - Google Brevets
An exposure apparatus is provided which can supply and collect a liquid in a prescribed state, and that can suppress degradation of a pattern image projected onto a substrate. The exposure apparatus is provided with a nozzle member having a supply outlet that supplies a liquid and a collection inlet...http://www.google.fr/patents/US9046790?utm_source=gb-gplus-shareBrevet US9046790 - Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method
Numéro de publication US9046790 B2
Numéro de demande US 13/789,308
Date de publication 2 juin 2015
Date de dépôt 7 mars 2013
Date de priorité 25 mars 2004
Autre référence de publication US8111373, US8169590, US8411248, US9411248, US20070081136, US20070263188, US20090180090, US20130182233, US20150234292, US20160327874, WO2005093791A1
Numéro de publication 13789308, 789308, US 9046790 B2, US 9046790B2, US-B2-9046790, US9046790 B2, US9046790B2
Inventeurs Hideaki Hara
Citations de brevets (266), Citations hors brevets (135), Classifications (10)
US 9046790 B2
An exposure apparatus is provided which can supply and collect a liquid in a prescribed state, and that can suppress degradation of a pattern image projected onto a substrate. The exposure apparatus is provided with a nozzle member having a supply outlet that supplies a liquid and a collection inlet that collects a liquid, and a vibration isolating mechanism that supports the nozzle member and vibrationally isolates the nozzle member from a lower side step part of a main column.
a projection system having an optical element via which an exposure beam is projected, the exposure beam from the projection system being projected onto a substrate to expose the substrate;
a nozzle member having an opening through which the exposure beam is projected, the nozzle member having a liquid supply outlet, or a liquid collection inlet or both of the liquid supply outlet and the liquid collection inlet, the nozzle member being supported with 6 degrees of freedom;
a drive apparatus having a motor that moves the nozzle member; and
a substrate holder by which the substrate is held, the substrate holder being moved below and relative to the nozzle member.
2. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a direction parallel to an optical axis direction of the projection system.
3. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a rotation direction around an axis which is perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system.
4. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system.
5. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive apparatus rotates the nozzle member around an axis parallel to an optical axis of the projection system.
6. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member by a Lorentz force.
7. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle member has the liquid supply outlet including a first supply port and a second supply port, the first supply port being disposed on one side of the opening, the second supply port being disposed on the other side of the opening, each of the first and second supply ports being configured to face a surface of the substrate during exposure of the substrate.
8. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle member has the liquid collection inlet which is disposed such that the liquid collection inlet surrounds the opening, the liquid collection inlet being configured to face a surface of the substrate during exposure of the substrate.
9. The exposure apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the liquid collection inlet includes a first collection port and a second collection port, the first collection port being disposed on one side of the opening, the second collection port being disposed on an other side of the opening.
10. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle member has the liquid supply outlet and the liquid collection inlet, the liquid collection inlet being disposed such that the liquid collection inlet surrounds the opening, the liquid supply outlet being disposed between the liquid collection inlet and the opening, each of the liquid supply outlet and the liquid collection inlet being configured to face a surface of the substrate during exposure of the substrate.
11. The exposure apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the liquid supply outlet includes a first supply port and a second supply port, the first supply port being disposed on one side of the opening, and the second supply port being disposed on an other side of the opening.
12. The exposure apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the liquid collection inlet includes a first collection port and a second collection port, the first supply port being disposed between the first collection port and the opening and the second supply port being disposed between the second collection port and the opening.
13. The exposure apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the liquid collection inlet includes a first collection port and a second collection port, the first collection port being disposed on one side of the opening, and the second collection port being disposed on an other side of the opening.
14. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a supporting frame by which the nozzle member is supported; and
a passive vibration isolation system having an elastic structure, which prevents vibrations from being transmitted from one of the supporting frame and the nozzle member to the other.
15. The exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the elastic structure includes a gas spring.
16. The exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the elastic structure includes a gas cylinder.
17. The exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the elastic structure includes gas bellows.
18. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position detector by which positional information of the nozzle member is detected.
19. The exposure apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
20. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position detector by which a positional relationship between the projection system and the nozzle member is detected.
21. The exposure apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
22. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position detector by which a positional relationship between the nozzle member and a supporting frame which supports the projection system is detected.
23. The exposure apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
24. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position detector by which a positional relationship between the nozzle member and a supporting frame which supports the nozzle member is detected.
25. The exposure apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
exposing a substrate using the exposure apparatus defined in claim 1; and
27. An exposure apparatus comprising:
a nozzle member having an opening through which the exposure beam is projected, the nozzle member having a liquid collection inlet which is disposed such that the liquid collection inlet surrounds the opening, the nozzle member having a liquid supply outlet which is disposed between the opening and the liquid collection inlet;
a drive apparatus having a motor, that moves the nozzle member; and
28. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a direction parallel to an optical axis direction of the projection system.
29. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a rotation direction around an axis which is perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system.
30. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system.
31. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the drive apparatus rotates the nozzle member around an axis parallel to an optical axis of the projection system.
32. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member by a Lorentz force.
33. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the liquid supply outlet includes a first supply port and a second supply port, the first supply port being disposed on one side of the opening and the second supply port being disposed on an other side of the opening.
34. The exposure apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the liquid collection inlet includes a first collection port and a second collection port, the first supply port being disposed between the first collection port and the opening and the second supply port being disposed between the second collection port and the opening.
35. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the liquid collection inlet includes a first collection port and a second collection port, the first collection port being disposed on one side of the opening and the second collection port being disposed on an other side of the opening.
36. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising:
37. The exposure apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the elastic structure includes a gas spring.
38. The exposure apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the elastic structure includes a gas cylinder.
39. The exposure apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the elastic structure includes gas bellows.
40. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a position detector by which positional information of the nozzle member is detected.
41. The exposure apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
42. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a position detector by which a positional relationship between the projection system and the nozzle member is detected.
43. The exposure apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
44. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a position detector by which a positional relationship between the nozzle member and a supporting frame which supports the projection system is detected.
45. The exposure apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
46. The exposure apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a position detector by which a positional relationship between the nozzle member and a supporting frame which supports the nozzle member is detected.
47. The exposure apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
48. A device manufacturing method comprising;
exposing a substrate using the exposure apparatus defined in claim 27; and
49. An exposure method comprising:
projecting an exposure beam onto a substrate, via a projection system having an optical element, to expose the substrate;
the projecting including projecting the exposure beam through an opening of a nozzle member, the nozzle member having a liquid collection inlet which is disposed such that the liquid collection inlet surrounds the opening, the nozzle member having a liquid supply outlet which is disposed between the opening and the liquid collection inlet;
moving the nozzle member via a drive apparatus having a motor; and
holding the substrate with a substrate holder, the substrate holder being moved below and relative to the nozzle member.
50. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a direction parallel to an optical axis direction of the projection system.
51. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a rotation direction around an axis which is perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system.
52. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection system.
53. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein the drive apparatus rotates the nozzle member around an axis parallel to an optical axis of the projection system.
54. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member by a Lorentz force.
55. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein the liquid supply outlet includes a first supply port and a second supply port, the first supply port being disposed on one side of the opening and the second supply port being disposed on an other side of the opening.
56. The exposure method according to claim 55, wherein the liquid collection inlet includes a first collection port and a second collection port, the first supply port being disposed between the first collection port and the opening and the second supply port being disposed between the second collection port and the opening.
57. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein the liquid collection inlet includes a first collection port and a second collection port, the first collection port being disposed on one side of the opening and the second collection port being disposed on an other side of the opening.
58. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein:
the nozzle member is supported by a supporting frame; and
a passive vibration isolation system having an elastic structure prevents vibrations from being transmitted from one of the supporting frame and the nozzle member to the other.
59. The exposure method according to claim 58, wherein the elastic structure includes a gas spring.
60. The exposure method according to claim 58, wherein the elastic structure includes a gas cylinder.
61. The exposure method according to claim 58, wherein the elastic structure includes gas bellows.
62. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein a position detector detects positional information of the nozzle member.
63. The exposure method according to claim 62, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
64. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein a position detector detects a positional relationship between the projection system and the nozzle member.
65. The exposure method according to claim 64, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
66. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein a position detector detects a positional relationship between the nozzle member and a supporting frame which supports the projection system.
67. The exposure method according to claim 66, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
68. The exposure method according to claim 49, wherein a position detector detects a positional relationship between the nozzle member and a supporting frame which supports the nozzle member.
69. The exposure method according to claim 68, wherein the drive apparatus moves the nozzle member based on a detection result of the position detector.
This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/382,229 filed Mar. 11, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,411,248), which in turn is a Division of application Ser. No. 10/593,802 filed Sep. 21, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,111,373), which in turn is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/JP2005/005254 filed Mar. 23, 2005, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-89348, filed on Mar. 25, 2004. The disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate via a liquid, and a device fabrication method that uses this exposure apparatus.
Semiconductor devices and liquid crystal display devices are fabricated by a so-called photolithography technique, wherein a pattern formed on a mask is transferred onto a photosensitive substrate. An exposure apparatus used by this photolithographic process has a mask stage that supports the mask, and a substrate stage that supports the substrate, and transfers the pattern of the mask onto the substrate via a projection optical system while successively moving the mask stage and the substrate stage. There has been demand in recent years for higher resolution projection optical systems in order to handle the much higher levels of integration of device patterns. The shorter the exposure wavelength used and the larger the numerical aperture of the projection optical system, the greater the resolution of the projection optical system. Consequently, the exposure wavelength used in exposure apparatuses has shortened year by year, and the numerical aperture of projection optical systems has also increased. Furthermore, the currently mainstream exposure wavelength is the 248 nm KrF excimer laser, but an even shorter wavelength 193 nm ArF excimer laser is also being commercialized. In addition, like resolution, the depth of focus (DOF) is also important when performing an exposure. The following equations respectively express the resolution R and the depth of focus δ.
δ=±k 2 ·λ/NA 2 (2)
The present invention was created considering such circumstances, and has an object to provide an exposure apparatus that can supply and collect a liquid in a desired state, and can suppress the degradation of a pattern image projected onto a substrate, and a device fabrication method that uses this exposure apparatus.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram that depicts one embodiment of an exposure apparatus of the present invention.
The following explains the exposure apparatus and device fabrication method of the present invention, referencing the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram that depicts one embodiment of the exposure apparatus of the present invention.
As an example, the present embodiment explains a case of using, as the exposure apparatus EX, a scanning type exposure apparatus (a so-called scanning stepper) that, while synchronously moving the mask M and the substrate P in mutually different orientations (reverse directions) in the scanning direction, exposes the substrate P with the pattern formed on the mask M. In the following explanation, the direction that coincides with an optical axis AX of the projection optical system PL is the Z axial direction, the direction in which the mask M and the substrate P synchronously move in the plane perpendicular to the Z axial direction (the scanning direction) is the X axial direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z axial direction and the X axial direction (the non-scanning direction) is the Y axial direction. In addition, the rotational (inclined) directions around the X, Y, and Z axes are the θX, θY, and θZ directions, respectively. Furthermore, “substrate” herein includes one in which a semiconductor wafer is coated with a photoresist, which is a photosensitive material, and “mask” includes a reticle in which the pattern of a device which is reduced and projected onto the substrate is formed.
The projection optical system PL projects and exposes the pattern of the mask M onto the substrate P with a prescribed projection magnification β, has a plurality of optical elements, including the optical element (lens) 2 provided at the terminal part on the substrate P side (the image plane side of the projection optical system PL), and these optical elements are supported by a lens barrel PK. In the present embodiment, the projection optical system PL is a reduction system having a projection magnification β of, for example, ¼ or ⅕. Furthermore, the projection optical system PL may be either a unity magnification system or an enlargement system. In addition, the optical element (lens) 2 of the tip part of the projection optical system PL of the present embodiment is attachably and detachably (replaceably) provided to and from the lens barrel PK, and the liquid LQ of the immersion area AR2 contacts the optical element 2.
The upper surface 47 of the substrate stage PST is treated to make it water repellent, and is therefore water repellent. Examples of water repellent treatment for the upper surface 47 include coating with a liquid repellent material, e.g., a fluororesin material or an acrylic resin material, as well as affixing a thin film made of the abovementioned liquid repellent material. A material that is insoluble in the liquid LQ is used as the liquid repellent material to make it water repellent. Furthermore, all or part of the substrate stage PST may be made of a water repellent material, such as a fluororesin like, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon™).
A plurality of gas bearings (air bearings) 42, which are noncontact bearings, is provided at the lower surface of the substrate stage PST. A substrate base plate 41 is supported on the base plate BP via a vibration isolating unit 43, The substrate stage PST is noncontactually supported by the air bearings 42 on an upper surface (guide surface) 41A of the substrate base plate (base part) 41, and, by the substrate stage drive apparatus, which includes linear motors 51, 52, 53 and the like, which are discussed later, the substrate stage PST is two dimensionally moveable within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX of the projection optical system PL, i.e., within the XY plane, and is also micro-rotatable about the OZ direction. Furthermore, the substrate stage PST is movably provided also in the Z axial direction, the θX direction, and the θY direction.
The ends of the X guide stage 54 in the longitudinal direction are provided with the pair of Y linear motors 51, 52 capable of moving this X guide stage 54 along with the substrate stage PST in the Y axial direction. The Y linear motors 51, 52 respectively have sliders 51B, 52B, provided at both ends of the X guide stage 54 in the longitudinal direction, and stators 51A, 52A provided corresponding to these sliders 51B, 52B. The stators 51A, 52A are supported on the base plate BP. Furthermore, the X guide stage 54 along with the substrate stage PST moves in the Y axial direction by driving the sliders 51B, 52B with respect to the stators 51A, 52A. In addition, the X guide stage 54 can also be rotated in the OZ direction by adjusting the respective drives of the Y linear motors 51, 52. Accordingly, the substrate stage PST is movable substantially integrally with the X guide stage 54 in the Y axial direction and the θZ direction by these linear motors 51, 52.
A nozzle member 70 is disposed in the vicinity of the optical element 2, among the plurality of optical elements that constitutes the projection optical system PL, that contacts the liquid. LQ. The nozzle member 70 is supported by the vibration isolating mechanism 60 and is vibrationally isolated from the lower side step part 7 of the main column 1. The nozzle member 70 is an annular member provided above the substrate P (and above the substrate stage PST) so that it surrounds the side surface of the optical element 2, and constitutes a part of the liquid supply mechanism 10 and the liquid collection mechanism 20, respectively.
In addition, the vibration isolating mechanism 60 supports the nozzle member 70 in a state separated from the projection optical system PL (the optical element 2). By supporting the nozzle member 70 and the projection optical system PL (the optical element 2) in a separated state, the vibrations generated by the nozzle member 70 are not directly transmitted to the projection optical system. PL.
In addition, the nozzle member 70 can move (rotate) in the OZ direction by driving the plurality of X drive apparatuses 61A-61C using mutually differing drive quantities.
In addition, the working points of the passive vibration isolating mechanisms 72 (72A-72C) on the nozzle member 70 and the working points of the Z drive apparatuses 63 (63A-63C) on the nozzle member 70 are respectively coincident in the XY plain, but the corresponding working points may be set so that they are positioned on the same line (axis). In addition, the exposure apparatus EX has a temperature regulating system (a cooling system), which is not shown, that adjusts (cools) the temperature of the drive apparatuses 61-63. Because the drive apparatuses 61-63 constitute heat generating sources, cooling by using the cooling system enables the suppression of fluctuations in the environment (the temperature) in which the exposure apparatus EX is placed. Furthermore, the cooling system may cool by using the liquid LQ for the immersion exposure, and may also cool by using a prescribed cooling liquid (refrigerant) separate from the liquid LQ for the immersion exposure.
Furthermore, it is also possible to combine feedback control and feedforward control. If performing feedforward control, then a test exposure is performed beforehand and a plurality of physical quantities is derived. Namely, an identification test is performed on the system of the exposure apparatus EX, and the dynamic characteristics, including the physical quantities of that system, are derived. In the identification test, the liquid LQ is supplied and collected by the liquid supply mechanism 10 and the liquid collection mechanism 20 via the liquid supply ports 12 and the liquid collection ports 22 of the nozzle member 70, the substrate stage PST is scanned in a state in which the immersion area AR2 is formed between the substrate P and the optical element 2, and between the substrate P and the nozzle member 70, and the physical quantities are detected using the nozzle position measuring instrument 80. Furthermore, the drive apparatuses 61-63 are, of course, not driven during the identification test. The physical quantities detected include: the time during the exposure sequence; the position, speed, and acceleration of the substrate P; the position, speed, and acceleration of the nozzle member 70; the relative position, the relative speed, and the relative acceleration between the nozzle member 70 and the substrate P; and the like. The position, speed, and acceleration values are detected for all X axis, Y axis, Z axis, θX, θY and θZ directions (six degrees of freedom). Furthermore, the physical quantities detected include the quantity (volume and mass) and physical quantities (viscosity and the like) of the liquid LQ supplied. The plurality of physical quantities detected by the identification test is stored in the control apparatus CONT. Based on the detected physical quantities, the control apparatus CONT determines the control quantities for driving the drive apparatuses 61-63, and performs the exposure while driving the drive apparatuses 61-63 based on those determined physical quantities so that the nozzle member 70 is vibrationally isolated from the lower side step part 7. Thus, the control apparatus CONT can use the drive apparatuses 61-63 to perform vibrational isolation in accordance with the dynamic characteristics (operation) of the exposure apparatus EX itself, and can maintain the positional relationship between the lower side step part 7 and the nozzle member 70 in the desired state.
Based on the measurement result of the plurality of interferometers 101-113, the control apparatus CONT can derive the position of the nozzle member 70 with respect to the projection optical system PL (the lens barrel PK) in the directions (X axis, Y axis, Z axis, θX, θY and θZ directions) of the six degrees of freedom. The control apparatus CONT drives the drive apparatuses 61-63 based on the derived position information mentioned above so that the vibrations of the nozzle member 70 do not transmit to the projection optical system PL. Alternatively, the control apparatus CONT adjusts the positional relationship between the projection optical system PL and the nozzle member 70 by driving the drive apparatuses 61-63 based on the derived position information mentioned above.
Further, the refractive index n of pure water (water) for the exposure light EL having a wavelength of approximately 193 mu is said to be substantially 1.44; therefore, the use of ArF excimer laser light (193 nm wavelength) as the light source of the exposure light EL would shorten the wavelength on the substrate P to 1/n, i.e., approximately 134 nm, thereby obtaining a high resolution. Furthermore, because the depth of focus will increase approximately n times, i.e., approximately 1.44 times, that of in air, the numerical aperture of the projection optical system PL can be further increased if it is preferable to ensure a depth of focus approximately the same as that when used in air, and the resolution is also improved from this standpoint.
Furthermore, the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system may become 0.9-1.3 if the liquid immersion method as discussed above is used. If the numerical aperture NA of such a projection optical system increases, then random polarized light conventionally used as the exposure light will degrade imaging performance due to the polarization effect, and it is therefore preferable to use polarized illumination. In that case, it is better to illuminate with linearly polarized light aligned in the longitudinal direction of the line pattern of the line-and-space pattern of the mask (the reticle), and to emit a large amount of diffracted light of the S polarized light component (the TE polarized light component) i.e., the polarized light direction component aligned in the longitudinal direction of the line pattern, from the pattern of the mask (the reticle). If a liquid is filled between the projection optical system PL and the resist coated on the surface of the substrate P, then the transmittance through the resist surface increases for the diffracted light of the S polarized light component (the TE polarized light component), which contributes to the improvement of the contrast, compared with the case in which air (a gas) is filled between the projection optical system PL and the resist coated on the surface of the substrate P, and a high imaging performance can consequently be obtained even if the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system exceeds 1.0. In addition, it is further effective to appropriately combine a phase shift mask and the oblique incidence illumination method (particularly the dipole illumination method) aligned in the longitudinal direction of the line pattern, as disclosed in Japanese Published Patent Application No. H06-188169. For example, in a case where a half tone phase shift mask (a pattern with an approximately 45 nm half pitch) having a transmittance of 6% is illuminated using the linear polarized light illumination method and the dipole illumination method in parallel, then the depth of focus (DOF) can be increased by approximately 150 nm more than when using random polarized light if the illumination σ stipulated by the circumscribed circle of the dual beam that forms the dipole in the pupil plane of the illumination system is 0.95, the radius of each beam in that pupil plane is 0.125 (and the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system PL is 1.2.
In addition, if a fine line-and-space pattern (e.g., a line-and-space of approximately 25-50 nm) is exposed on the substrate P using, for example, an ArF excimer laser as the exposure light and using a projection optical system PL having a reduction magnification of approximately ¼, then the structure of the mask M (e.g., the fineness of the pattern and the thickness of the chrome) causes the mask M to act as a polarizing plate due to the wave guide effect, and a large amount of diffracted light of the S polarized light component (the TB polarized light component) from the diffracted light of the P polarized light component (the TM polarized light component), which decreases contrast, is emitted from the mask M. In this case, it is preferable to use the linear polarized light illumination discussed above; however, even if the mask M is illuminated with random polarized light, a high resolution performance can be obtained even if the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system PL is as large as 0.9-1.3.
In addition, if exposing an ultrafine line-and-space pattern of a mask M onto a substrate P, then there is also a possibility that the P polarized light component (the TM polarized light component) will become greater than the S polarized light component (the TB polarized light component) due to the wire grid effect; however, because a greater quantity of diffracted light of the S polarized light component (the TB polarized light component) than the diffracted light of the P polarized light component (the TM polarized light component) is emitted from the mask M if a line-and-space pattern larger than 25 nm is exposed onto the substrate P using, for example, an ArF excimer laser as the exposure light and using a projection optical system PL having a reduction magnification of approximately ¼, then a high imaging performance can be obtained even if the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system PL is as large as 0.9-1.3.
Furthermore, instead of just linear polarized light illumination (S polarized light illumination) aligned in the longitudinal direction of the line pattern of the mask (the reticle), it is also effective to combine the oblique incidence illumination method with the polarized light illumination method that linearly polarizes light in a direction tangential (circumferential) to a circle with the optical axis at the center, as disclosed in Japanese Published Patent Application No. H06-53120. In particular, if the mask (reticle) pattern mixes line patterns extending in a plurality of differing directions instead of a line pattern extending in a prescribed single direction, then by combining the use of the zonal illumination method with the polarized light illumination method that linearly polarizes light in a direction tangential to a circle having the optical axis at its center, as likewise disclosed in Japanese Published Patent Application No. H06-53120, it is possible to achieve high imaging performance even if the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system is large. For example, if illuminating a half tone phase shift mask (pattern with an approximately 63 nm half pitch) having a transmittance of 6% by combining the use of the zonal illumination method (¾ zonal ratio) with the polarized light illumination method that linearly polarizes light in a direction tangential to a circle with the optical axis at its center, then the depth of focus (DOF) can be increased by approximately 250 nm more than when using random polarized light if the illumination σ is 0.95 and the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system PL is 1.00, and the depth of focus can be increased by approximately 100 nm if the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system is 1.2 with a pattern having an approximately 55 nm half pitch.
The type of exposure apparatus EX is not limited to semiconductor device fabrication exposure apparatuses that expose the pattern of a semiconductor device on the substrate P, but is also widely applicable to exposure apparatuses for fabricating liquid crystal devices or displays, exposure apparatuses for fabricating thin film magnetic heads, imaging devices (CUD), or reticles and masks, and the like.
US4441808 15 nov. 1982 10 avr. 1984 Tre Semiconductor Equipment Corp. Focusing device for photo-exposure system
US5707535 28 août 1996 13 janv. 1998 Harris; Ronald B. Vacuum loadable divided phase separator for liquid/solid separation
US5845170 15 août 1997 1 déc. 1998 Tokyo Electron Limited Developing method
US6310680 17 déc. 1999 30 oct. 2001 Nikon Corporation Method of adjusting a scanning exposure apparatus and scanning exposure apparatus using the method
US6391503 21 juin 2001 21 mai 2002 Nikon Corporation Scanning exposure methods
US6438074 17 août 1999 20 août 2002 Sony Corporation Optical recording medium manufacturing master recording apparatus
US6446358 14 juil. 2000 10 sept. 2002 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Drying nozzle and drying device and cleaning device using the same
US6488040 30 juin 2000 3 déc. 2002 Lam Research Corporation Capillary proximity heads for single wafer cleaning and drying
US6538719 2 sept. 1999 25 mars 2003 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus and exposure method, and device and method for producing the same
US6778257 23 juil. 2002 17 août 2004 Asml Netherlands B.V. Imaging apparatus
US6781670 30 déc. 2002 24 août 2004 Intel Corporation Immersion lithography
US6918989 11 janv. 2001 19 juil. 2005 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Apparatus for manufacturing printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board using the same
US6988327 31 mars 2003 24 janv. 2006 Lam Research Corporation Methods and systems for processing a substrate using a dynamic liquid meniscus
US7053983 1 sept. 2004 30 mai 2006 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid immersion type exposure apparatus
US7193681 * 22 sept. 2004 20 mars 2007 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US7352434 * 13 mai 2004 1 avr. 2008 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US7369217 3 oct. 2003 6 mai 2008 Micronic Laser Systems Ab Method and device for immersion lithography
US20010006762 19 déc. 2000 5 juil. 2001 Kwan Yim Bun P. Balanced positioning system for use in lithographic apparatus
US20020080339 21 déc. 2001 27 juin 2002 Nikon Corporation Stage apparatus, vibration control method and exposure apparatus
US20030134574 30 juil. 2002 17 juil. 2003 Applied Materials, Inc. Air bearing-sealed micro-processing chamber
US20030145874 5 févr. 2003 7 août 2003 Myland Lawrence J. Capillary drying of substrates
US20040060580 24 déc. 2002 1 avr. 2004 Lam Research Corporation Meniscus, vacuum, IPA vapor, drying manifold
US20050068499 13 août 2004 31 mars 2005 Carl Zeiss Smt Ag Microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
US20050270506 19 mai 2005 8 déc. 2005 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US20050280791 26 août 2005 22 déc. 2005 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
US20050286032 23 juin 2004 29 déc. 2005 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US20060005860 30 sept. 2004 12 janv. 2006 Lam Research Corp. Apparatus and method for processing a substrate
US20060012765 21 sept. 2005 19 janv. 2006 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method
US20060066828 28 sept. 2004 30 mars 2006 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method and computer program product
US20060087630 29 août 2005 27 avr. 2006 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US20060098177 22 nov. 2005 11 mai 2006 Nikon Corporation Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and exposure method for producing device
US20060119807 2 déc. 2004 8 juin 2006 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US20060139613 28 déc. 2004 29 juin 2006 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US20060146306 3 mars 2006 6 juil. 2006 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
US20060268249 3 août 2006 30 nov. 2006 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method
US20060274293 11 août 2006 7 déc. 2006 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
US20070109516 3 janv. 2007 17 mai 2007 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method
US20070258065 16 juil. 2007 8 nov. 2007 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
US20070263183 19 juil. 2007 15 nov. 2007 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
US20070263185 18 juil. 2007 15 nov. 2007 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
US20080030697 8 juin 2007 7 févr. 2008 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method
US20080297746 31 juil. 2008 4 déc. 2008 Nikon Corporation Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device
US20090009745 31 juil. 2008 8 janv. 2009 Nikon Corporation Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device
US20110181859 7 avr. 2011 28 juil. 2011 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US20110273683 21 juil. 2011 10 nov. 2011 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
US20110279795 22 juil. 2011 17 nov. 2011 Asml Netherlands B.V. Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
CN1573571A 18 juin 2004 2 févr. 2005 Asml控股股份有限公司 Immersion photolithography system and method using microchannel nozzles
EP0312066A2 13 oct. 1988 19 avr. 1989 Etec Systems, Inc. A guard ring for a differentially pumped seal apparatus
EP1052552A2 17 avr. 2000 15 nov. 2000 Asm Lithography B.V. Gas bearings for use with vacuum chambers and their application in lithographic projection apparatus
EP1571698A1 9 déc. 2003 7 sept. 2005 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus, exposure method and method for manufacturing device
EP1612850A1 6 avr. 2004 4 janv. 2006 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus and method for manufacturing device
JP2001190996A Titre non disponible
WO1998028665A1 3 oct. 1997 2 juil. 1998 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Two-dimensionally balanced positioning device with two object holders, and lithographic device provided with such a positioning device
WO2001035168A1 9 nov. 2000 17 mai 2001 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Interference lithography utilizing phase-locked scanning beams
WO2004032160A2 29 sept. 2003 15 avr. 2004 Lam Research Corporation Methods and systems for processing a substrate using a dynamic liquid meniscus
WO2004053935A2 5 déc. 2003 24 juin 2004 Smart Drilling And Completion, Inc. High power umbilicals for electric flowline immersion heating of produced hydrocarbons
WO2004086468A1 26 févr. 2004 7 oct. 2004 Nikon Corporation Exposure apparatus and method, and method of producing apparatus
WO2004086470A1 23 mars 2004 7 oct. 2004 Nikon Corporation Exposure system and device production method
WO2004105106A1 24 mai 2004 2 déc. 2004 Nikon Corporation Exposure method, exposure device, and device manufacturing method
WO2004107048A2 28 mai 2004 9 déc. 2004 Carl Zeiss Smt Ag Microlithographic projection exposure system
WO2006007111A2 18 mai 2005 19 janv. 2006 Nikon Corporation A dynamic fluid control system for immersion lithography
WO2006009573A1 20 déc. 2004 26 janv. 2006 Nikon Corporation Fluid pressure compensation for immersion lithography lens
1 Apr. 1, 2009 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 10/593,802.
2 Apr. 1, 2014 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-146581 (with an English translation).
3 Apr. 10, 2007 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/237,799.
4 Apr. 15, 2010 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,446.
5 Apr. 15, 2010 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,447.
6 Apr. 17, 2008 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/701,378.
7 Apr. 19, 2013 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/067,464.
8 Apr. 2, 2014 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 13196627.7.
9 Apr. 4, 2006 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/329,269.
10 Aug. 1, 2006 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/253,597.
11 Aug. 14, 2012 Office Action issued in Japanese Application No. 2010-026002 (with English-language translation).
12 Aug. 17, 2007 Australian Examination Report in Singapore Application No. 20050641.2-6.
13 Aug. 22, 2008 Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200480009673.8 (with translation).
14 Aug. 28, 2009 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/635,607.
15 Aug. 29, 2007 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/237,799.
16 Aug. 9, 2005 International Search Report and Written Opinion in Application No. PCT/JP2005/005254, with translation.
17 B.J. Lin, Emerging Lithographic Technologies VI, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 4688 (2002), "Semiconductor Foundry, Lithography, and Partners", pp. 11-24.
18 Bruce W. Smith et al.; "Water Immersion Optical Lithography for the 45nm Node"; Optical Microlithography XVI; Proceedings of SPIE; vol. 5040; 2003; pp. 679-689.
19 Dec. 13, 2010 Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,446.
20 Dec. 13, 2010 Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,447.
21 Dec. 19, 2008 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/635,607.
22 Dec. 19, 2013 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/529,663.
23 Dec. 2, 2011 Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 10/593,802.
24 Dec. 20, 2006 Australian Invitation to Respond to Written Opinion in Singapore Application No. 200506412-6.
25 Dec. 20, 2012 Office Action issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-7025345 (with English-language translation).
26 Dec. 31, 2013 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/926,029.
27 Dec. 7, 2006 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/329,269.
28 Dec. 8, 2009 Office Action in Japanese Application No. 2006-506634, with translation.
29 Dec. 8, 2009 Office Action in Japanese Application No. 2006-509568, with translation.
30 Feb. 1, 2006 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/236,713.
31 Feb. 15, 2008 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/239,493.
32 Feb. 2, 2010 Office Action for Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-511475 (with translation).
33 Feb. 20, 2015 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 14/324,607.
34 Feb. 22, 2011 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-506634 (with translation).
35 Feb. 27, 2007 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/239,493.
36 G. Owen et al.; "⅛ μM Optical Lithography"; J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B.; vol. 10, No. 6; Nov./Dec. 1992; pp. 3032-3036.
37 G. Owen et al.; "1/8 muM Optical Lithography"; J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B.; vol. 10, No. 6; Nov./Dec. 1992; pp. 3032-3036.
38 Hiroaki Kawata et al; "Fabrication of 0.2 mum Fine Patterns Using Optical Projection Lithography with an Oil Immersion Lens"; Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.; vol. 31, Part 1, No. 128; Dec. 1992; pp. 4174-4177.
39 Hiroaki Kawata et al; "Fabrication of 0.2 μm Fine Patterns Using Optical Projection Lithography with an Oil Immersion Lens"; Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.; vol. 31, Part 1, No. 128; Dec. 1992; pp. 4174-4177.
40 Hiroaki Kawata et al; "Optical Projection Lithography Using lenses with Numerical Apertures Greater Than Unity"; Microelectronic Engineering; vol. 9; 1989; pp. 31-36.
41 Jan. 12, 2011 Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201010113626.5 (with translation).
42 Jan. 13, 2011 Search and Examination Report issued in Singaporean Patent Application No. 200800251-1.
43 Jan. 14, 2011 Office Action issued in Korean Patent Application No. 2005-7019303 (with translation).
44 Jan. 14, 2011 Office Action issued in Korean Patent Application No. 2005-7019305 (with translation).
45 Jan. 25, 2006 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/237,799.
46 Jan. 25, 2012 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/382,229.
47 Jan. 29, 2015 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 14/463,066.
48 Jan. 3, 2011 Search and Examination Report issued in Singaporean Patent Application No. 200800250-3.
49 Jan. 8, 2009 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/701,378.
50 Jan. 8, 2014 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/067,464.
51 Jan. 9, 2012 Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/635,607.
52 Jul. 11, 2013 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/926,029.
53 Jul. 18, 2011 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/382,661.
54 Jul. 23, 2014 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 04758599.7.
55 Jul. 23, 2014 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 13180843.8.
56 Jul. 23, 2014 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 13180845.3.
57 Jul. 23, 2014 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 13196627.7.
58 Jul. 24, 2007 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/705,001.
59 Jul. 25, 2008 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,089.
60 Jul. 27, 2012 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 04 758 599.7.
61 Jul. 9, 2009 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,446.
62 Jul. 9, 2009 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,447.
63 Jul. 9, 2009 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,689.
64 Jul. 9, 2009 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,691,.
65 Jun. 16, 2009 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/701,378.
66 Jun. 25, 2012 Office Action issued in TW 097127865 (with English-language translation).
67 Jun. 27, 2007 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/239,493.
68 M. Switkes et al., "Resolution Enhancement of 157 nm Lithography by Liquid Inversion"; J. Microlith, Microfab., Microsyst.; vol. 1, No. 3; Oct. 2002; pp. 225-228.
69 M. Switkes et al., J. Microlith., Microfab., Microsyst., vol. 1 No. 3, Oct. 2002, Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, "Resolution enhancement of 157 nm lithography by liquid immersion", pp. 1-4.
70 M. Switkes et al., Optical Microlithography XV, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 4691 (2002), "Resolution Enhancement of 157 nm Lithography by Liquid Immersion", pp. 459-465.
71 Mar. 12, 2013 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 04758599.7.
72 Mar. 23, 2007 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/236,713.
73 Mar. 23, 2007 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/253,597.
74 Mar. 23, 2010 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/701,378.
75 Mar. 24, 2009 Advisory Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/701,378.
76 Mar. 25, 2010 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 10/593,802.
77 Mar. 25, 2013 Office Action issued in European Application No. 04759085.6.
78 Mar. 26, 2015 Office Action issued in Korean Application No. 2014-7008125.
79 Mar. 31, 2010 Supplementary Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/701,378.
80 Mar. 31, 2011 Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 200480009675.7 (with translation).
81 Mar. 5, 2013 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-087336 (with English Translation).
82 Mark D. Feur et al.; "Projection Photolithography-Liftoff Techniques for Production of 0.2-mum Metal Patterns"; IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices; vol. 28, No. 11; Nov. 1981; pp. 1375-1378.
83 Mark D. Feur et al.; "Projection Photolithography-Liftoff Techniques for Production of 0.2-μm Metal Patterns"; IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices; vol. 28, No. 11; Nov. 1981; pp. 1375-1378.
84 May 11, 2010 Notice of Allowance in Japanese Application No. 2006-511475, with translation.
85 May 17, 2013 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/529,663.
86 May 29, 2007 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/329,269.
87 May 29, 2013 Office Action issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-7009421 (with translation).
88 May 3, 2010 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,689.
89 May 4, 2010 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,691.
90 May 8, 2009 Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200480009673.8 (with translation).
91 Nikon Corporation, Immersion Lithography Workshop, Dec. 11, 2002, 24 pages (slides 1-24).
92 Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 10/593,802; mailed Sep. 3, 2010.
93 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/701,378; mailed Jul. 14, 2010.
94 Notice of Allowance issued for U.S. Appl. No. 10/593,802 on Dec. 23, 2010.
95 Notice of Allowance issued for U.S. Appl. No. 11/635,607 on Dec. 21, 2010.
96 Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 11/635,607 mailed Nov. 10, 2010.
97 Nov. 14, 2007 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/329,269.
98 Nov. 16, 2010 Notice of Allowance issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-509568 (with translation).
99 Nov. 16, 2010 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-506634 (with translation).
100 Nov. 2, 2006 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/237,799.
101 Nov. 20, 2009 Notice of Allowance in Chinese Application No. 200480009673.8, with translation.
102 Nov. 21, 2008 Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200480009675.7, with translation.
103 Nov. 27, 2009 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 10/593,802.
104 Nov. 28, 2012 Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/382,229.
105 Nov. 30, 2006 International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/IB04/02704.
106 Nov. 5, 2013 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 13180843.8.
107 Nov. 5, 2014 Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201310235130.9 (with translation).
108 Nov. 6, 2012 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-087336 (with English-language translation).
109 Nov. 7, 2006 Australian Search Report and Written Opinion for Singapore Patent Application No. 200506412-6.
110 Oct. 1, 2008 Supplementary European Search Report for EP 04 75 8599.
111 Oct. 13, 2005 International Search Report and Written Opinion in Application No. PCT/US04/09994.
112 Oct. 14, 2013 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 13180845.3.
113 Oct. 16, 2007 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,089.
114 Oct. 16, 2008 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,447.
115 Oct. 16, 2008 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,689.
116 Oct. 16, 2008 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,691.
117 Oct. 16, 2012 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/529,663.
118 Oct. 17, 2008 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/819,446.
119 Oct. 18, 2006 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/237,799.
120 Oct. 22, 2014 Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201310339659.5 (with translation).
121 Oct. 29, 2014 Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201310236773.5 (with translation).
122 Oct. 30, 2007 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/705,001.
123 Oct. 9, 2009 Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200480009675.7, with translation.
124 Office Action issued in Chinese Application No. CN200480009675.7; mailed Jul. 26, 2010 (with translation).
125 Scott Hafeman et al.; "Simulation of Imaging and Stray Light Effects in Immersion Lithography"; Optical Microlithography XVI; Proceedings of SPIE; vol. 5040; 2003; pp. 700-712.
126 Sep. 11, 2013 Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/067,464.
127 Sep. 23, 2008 Supplemental European Search Report in European Application No. 04759085.6.
128 Sep. 25, 2013 Office Action issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-7021786 (with translation).
129 Soichi Owa et al., Nikon Corporation, 3rd 157 nm symposium, Sep. 4, 2002, "Nikon F2 Exposure Tool", 25 pages (slides 1-25).
130 Soichi Owa et al., Nikon Corporation, Immersion Workshop, Jan. 27, 2004, "Update on 193 nm immersion exposure tool", 38 pages (slides 1-38).
131 Soichi Owa et al., Nikon Corporation, Litho Forum, Jan. 28, 2004, "Update on 193 nm immersion exposure tool", 51 pages (slides 1-51).
132 Soichi Owa et al., Nikon Corporation, NGL Workshop, Jul. 10, 2003, :Potential performance and feasibility of immersion lithography, 33 pages, slides 1-33.
133 Soichi Owa et al.; "Immersion Lithography; Its Potential Performance and Issues"; Optical Microlithography XVI; Proceedings of SPIE; vol. 5040; 2003; pp. 724-733.
134 So-Yeon Baek et al.; "Simulation Study of Process Latitude for Liquid Immersion Lithography"; Optical Microlithography XVI; Proceedings of SPIE; vol. 5040; 2003; pp. 1620-1630.
135 Willi Ulrich et al.; "The Development of Dioptric Projection Lenses for DUV Lithography"; Proceedings of SPIE; vol. 4832; 2002; pp. 158-169.
Classification internationale H01L21/027, G03F7/20, G03B27/42
Classification coopérative G03F7/70758, G03F7/70341, G03F7/70325, G03F7/2041, G03F7/709, G03B27/42