Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8089611?dq=3140553
Timestamp: 2014-09-23 01:17:39
Document Index: 598471946

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 200380105423', 'Application No. 200704280', 'Application No. 200380105423', 'Application No. 200704279', 'Application No. 200380105423', 'Application No. 200503238', 'Application No. 201010155625', 'Application No. 200704278', 'Application No. 2007042799', 'Application No. 2007042807', 'Application No. 2005032388', 'Application No. 2005', 'Application No. 200380105423', 'Application No. 03777347']

Patent US8089611 - Exposure apparatus and method for producing device - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA vacuum system for an immersion exposure apparatus includes a flow passage connected to a vacuum source, and a separator provided on the flow passage. The separator separates any gas from a liquid sucked into the flow passage together with the gas....http://www.google.com/patents/US8089611?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8089611 - Exposure apparatus and method for producing deviceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8089611 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/382,047Publication dateJan 3, 2012Filing dateMar 6, 2009Priority dateDec 10, 2002Also published asCN1723541A, CN1723541B, CN101852993A, EP1571695A1, EP1571695A4, US7589820, US20050219488, US20060238730, US20090180089, WO2004053953A1Publication number12382047, 382047, US 8089611 B2, US 8089611B2, US-B2-8089611, US8089611 B2, US8089611B2InventorsMasahiro Nei, Naoyuki KobayashiOriginal AssigneeNikon CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (104), Non-Patent Citations (32), Classifications (9) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetExposure apparatus and method for producing deviceUS 8089611 B2Abstract A vacuum system for an immersion exposure apparatus includes a flow passage connected to a vacuum source, and a separator provided on the flow passage. The separator separates any gas from a liquid sucked into the flow passage together with the gas.
CROSS-REFERENCE This is a Division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/141,090 filed Jun. 1, 2005, which in turn is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP03/015666 filed Dec. 8, 2003 claiming the conventional priority of Japanese patent Application Nos. 2002-357958 filed on Dec. 10, 2002 and 2003-296491 filed on Aug. 20, 2003. The disclosures of these prior applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made taking the foregoing circumstances into consideration, an object of which is to provide an exposure apparatus and an exposure method in which a pattern can be transferred accurately when an exposure process is performed while filling a space between a projection optical system and a substrate with a liquid, and a method for producing a device in which the exposure apparatus is used.
First Embodiment With reference to FIG. 1, an exposure apparatus EX includes a mask stage MST which supports a mask M, a substrate stage PST which supports a substrate P, an illumination optical system IL which illuminates, with an exposure light beam EL, the mask M supported by the mask stage MST, a projection optical system PL which performs projection exposure for the substrate P supported by the substrate stage PST with an image of a pattern of the mask M illuminated with the exposure light beam EL, a liquid supply unit 1 which supplies a liquid 50 onto the substrate P, a recovery unit 20 which recovers the liquid 50 outflowed to the outside of the substrate P, and a control unit CONT which collectively controls the overall operation of the exposure apparatus EX.
The embodiment of the present invention will now be explained as exemplified by a case of the use of the scanning type exposure apparatus (so-called scanning stepper) as the exposure apparatus EX in which the substrate P is exposed with the pattern formed on the mask M while synchronously moving the mask M and the substrate P in mutually different directions (opposite directions) in the scanning directions. In the following explanation, the Z axis direction is the direction which is coincident with the optical axis AX of the projection optical system PL, the X axis direction is the synchronous movement direction (scanning direction) for the mask M and the substrate P in the plane perpendicular to the Z axis direction, and the Y axis direction is the direction (non-scanning direction) perpendicular to the Z axis direction and the Y axis direction. The directions about the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are designated as θx, θY, and θZ directions respectively. The term �substrate� referred to herein includes those obtained by applying a resist on a semiconductor wafer, and the term �mask� includes a reticle formed with a device pattern subjected to the reduction projection onto the substrate.
Second Embodiment Next, an explanation will be made with reference to FIG. 7 about another embodiment of the exposure apparatus EX of the present invention. In the following description, the same or equivalent constitutive parts as those of the embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, any explanation of which is simplified or omitted. The characteristic features of this embodiment are that a liquid recovery groove 35 is provided around the substrate P in place of the liquid-absorbing member 21 as the recovery unit and that the substrate stage PST and the tube passage 26 are connectable to one another and separable from each other.
Third Embodiment An explanation will be made below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 about another embodiment of the recovery unit.
Fourth Embodiment An explanation will be made below about still another embodiment of the recovery unit. As shown in FIG. 10A, the liquid recovery groove 35 is provided on the upper surface of the Z stage 51. The liquid recovery groove 35 is connected to a flow passage 39 which penetrates to the lower surface side of the Z stage 51. A valve 39A is provided in the flow passage 39. Flow passages 40, 41 as through-holes are formed through the XY stage 52 and the base 53 respectively corresponding to the flow passage 39 of the Z stage 51. The valve 39A is closed during the exposure process, and the liquid 50 is pooled in the liquid recovery groove 35 as shown in FIG. 10A. When the exposure process is completed, then the control unit CONT moves the substrate stage PST to the substrate exchange position, and the valve 39A is opened. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10B, the liquid 50 contained in the liquid recovery groove 35 is discharged to the outside of the stage in accordance with the self-weight at the substrate exchange position through the flow passages 39, 40, 41. It is preferable that the liquid 50 contained in the liquid recovery groove 35 is recovered at the substrate exchange position. However, it is also allowable that the discharge operation is performed at any positions other than the substrate exchange position.
Fifth Embodiment In the respective embodiments described above, the liquid immersion area is formed on a part of the substrate P such that the liquid supply unit 1 supplies the liquid 50 onto the substrate P above the substrate P (from above the substrate P) by the aid of the supply nozzles 4, and the liquid recovery unit 2 as the second recovery unit recovers the liquid 50 disposed on the substrate P above the substrate P by the aid of the recovery nozzles 5. However, as shown in FIG. 11, almost all of the liquid 50 supplied onto the substrate P may be recovered by using the recovery unit 20 provided in the substrate stage PST, without providing the liquid recovery unit 2 (recovery nozzles 5) above the substrate P. FIG. 11 shows the supply nozzles 4, 8 which are provided on the both sides of the projection area (optical element 60) of the projection optical system PL, so that the projection area 60 is intervened between the supply nozzles 4, 8 in the scanning direction. When the liquid 50 is supplied in order to perform the scanning exposure for the substrate P, then the liquid 50 may be supplied from any one of the supply nozzles of the supply nozzles 4, 8, depending on the direction of movement of the substrate P or the liquid 50 may be supplied simultaneously from the both supply nozzles 4, 8. The liquid 50, which is supplied from the liquid supply unit 1, is widely spread on the substrate P, making it possible to form a large liquid immersion area. As shown in a perspective view of FIG. 12, the liquid 50 supplied onto the substrate P outflows to the outside of the substrate P soon. However, almost all of the liquid 50 is recovered by the recovery unit 20 having the groove 23 (liquid-absorbing member 21) provided as the recovery port around the substrate P. In this arrangement, the liquid immersion area can be formed on the substrate P in a well-suited manner by continuing the supply of the liquid 50 onto the substrate P by the liquid supply unit 1 during the exposure process for the substrate P. Further, it is possible to create the flow of the fluid 50 on the substrate P owing to the supplied liquid 50. Therefore, it is possible to always supply the flesh (clean) liquid 50 onto the substrate P, and it is possible to make the liquid 50 on the substrate P to flow to arrive at the groove 23.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4346164Oct 6, 1980Aug 24, 1982Werner TabarelliPhotolithographic method for the manufacture of integrated circuitsUS4480910Mar 15, 1982Nov 6, 1984Hitachi, Ltd.Pattern forming apparatusUS5528118Apr 1, 1994Jun 18, 1996Nikon Precision, Inc.Guideless stage with isolated reaction stageUS5610683Jun 5, 1995Mar 11, 1997Canon Kabushiki KaishaImmersion type projection exposure apparatusUS5623853Oct 19, 1994Apr 29, 1997Nikon Precision Inc.Precision motion stage with single guide beam and follower stageUS5715039May 17, 1996Feb 3, 1998Hitachi, Ltd.Projection exposure apparatus and method which uses multiple diffraction gratings in order to produce a solid state device with fine patternsUS5825043Oct 7, 1996Oct 20, 1998Nikon Precision Inc.Focusing and tilting adjustment system for lithography aligner, manufacturing apparatus or inspection apparatusUS5874820Apr 4, 1995Feb 23, 1999Nikon CorporationWindow frame-guided stage mechanismUS5938922 *Aug 19, 1997Aug 17, 1999Celgard LlcContactor for degassing liquidsUS6033475Dec 26, 1995Mar 7, 2000Tokyo Electron LimitedResist processing apparatusUS6247479 *May 26, 1998Jun 19, 2001Tokyo Electron LimitedWashing/drying process apparatus and washing/drying process methodUS6341007Nov 20, 2000Jan 22, 2002Nikon CorporationExposure apparatus and methodUS6400441Sep 20, 2000Jun 4, 2002Nikon CorporationProjection exposure apparatus and methodUS6549269Nov 17, 2000Apr 15, 2003Nikon CorporationExposure apparatus and an exposure methodUS6578772 *Mar 26, 2001Jun 17, 2003Tokyo Electron LimitedRemoves air bubbles by filtering the resist solution to prevent the occurrence of air bubblesUS6590634Nov 21, 2000Jul 8, 2003Nikon CorporationExposure apparatus and methodUS7589820Jun 23, 2006Sep 15, 2009Nikon CorporationExposure apparatus and method for producing deviceUS20020163629May 7, 2002Nov 7, 2002Michael SwitkesMethods and apparatus employing an index matching mediumUS20030007136 *Jul 3, 2002Jan 9, 2003Canon Kabushiki KaishaExposure apparatusUS20030030916Dec 10, 2001Feb 13, 2003Nikon CorporationProjection optical system and exposure apparatus having the projection optical systemUS20030174408Mar 6, 2003Sep 18, 2003Carl Zeiss Smt AgRefractive projection objective for immersion lithographyUS20040000627Aug 2, 2002Jan 1, 2004Carl Zeiss Semiconductor Manufacturing Technologies AgMethod for focus detection and an imaging system with a focus-detection systemUS20040075895Oct 22, 2002Apr 22, 2004Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Apparatus for method for immersion lithographyUS20040109237May 30, 2003Jun 10, 2004Carl Zeiss Smt AgProjection objective, especially for microlithography, and method for adjusting a projection objectiveUS20040114117Nov 18, 2003Jun 17, 2004Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20040118184Oct 14, 2003Jun 24, 2004Asml Holding N.V.Liquid flow proximity sensor for use in immersion lithographyUS20040125351Dec 30, 2002Jul 1, 2004Krautschik Christof GabrielImmersion lithographyUS20040136494Nov 12, 2003Jul 15, 2004Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20040160582Nov 12, 2003Aug 19, 2004Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20040165159Nov 12, 2003Aug 26, 2004Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20040169834Nov 17, 2003Sep 2, 2004Infineon Technologies AgOptical device for use with a lithography methodUS20040169924Feb 27, 2003Sep 2, 2004Asml Netherlands, B.V.Stationary and dynamic radial transverse electric polarizer for high numerical aperture systemsUS20040180294Feb 20, 2004Sep 16, 2004Asml Holding N.V.Lithographic printing with polarized lightUS20040180299Mar 11, 2003Sep 16, 2004Rolland Jason P.supercritical and/or liquid carbon dioxide may be used at various steps in an immersion lithography process and, thereby, replace the use of some or all solvents that have been heretofore been usedUS20040207824Nov 12, 2003Oct 21, 2004Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20040211920Nov 12, 2003Oct 28, 2004Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20040224265Aug 14, 2003Nov 11, 2004Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltdirradiating photoresist film with exposing light while supplying, between projection lens and resist film, a circulating solution of water including antifoaming agent (silicone oil), baking, then developing; for production of semiconductorsUS20040224525Aug 20, 2003Nov 11, 2004Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Pattern formation methodUS20040227923Feb 26, 2004Nov 18, 2004Flagello Donis GeorgeStationary and dynamic radial transverse electric polarizer for high numerical aperture systemsUS20040235248 *Jun 17, 2004Nov 25, 2004Osamu TakahashiFabrication method of semiconductor integrated circuit deviceUS20040253547Sep 15, 2003Dec 16, 2004Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Pattern formation methodUS20040253548Sep 15, 2003Dec 16, 2004Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Mixture of chemically amplified photoresist, acid generator and lactoneUS20040257544Jun 19, 2003Dec 23, 2004Asml Holding N.V.Immersion photolithography system and method using microchannel nozzlesUS20040259008Nov 19, 2003Dec 23, 2004Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Pattern exposure of hydrophilic photoresist to radiation while supplying waterUS20040259040Nov 17, 2003Dec 23, 2004Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Pattern formation methodUS20040263808Apr 26, 2004Dec 30, 2004Asml Holding N.V.Immersion photolithography system and method using inverted wafer-projection optics interfaceUS20050030506Jul 9, 2004Feb 10, 2005Carl Zeiss Smt AgProjection exposure method and projection exposure systemUS20050036121Apr 26, 2004Feb 17, 2005Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20050036183Mar 18, 2004Feb 17, 2005Yee-Chia YeoImmersion fluid for immersion Lithography, and method of performing immersion lithographyUS20050036184Apr 16, 2004Feb 17, 2005Yee-Chia YeoLithography apparatus for manufacture of integrated circuitsUS20050036213Aug 12, 2003Feb 17, 2005Hans-Jurgen MannProjection objectives including a plurality of mirrors with lenses ahead of mirror M3US20050037269Aug 11, 2003Feb 17, 2005Levinson Harry J.Determination defects; using laser beamsUS20050046934Aug 29, 2003Mar 3, 2005Tokyo Electron LimitedMethod and system for drying a substrateUS20050048223Sep 2, 2003Mar 3, 2005Pawloski Adam R.Method and apparatus for elimination of bubbles in immersion medium in immersion lithography systemsUS20050068639Sep 26, 2003Mar 31, 2005Fortis Systems Inc.Contact printing using a magnified mask imageUS20050073670Oct 3, 2003Apr 7, 2005Micronic Laser Systems AbMethod and device for immersion lithographyUS20050084794Oct 16, 2003Apr 21, 2005Meagley Robert P.Altering the liquid-contact properties of the photoresist by adding constituent(s) such as a hydrophobic ionic photoacid generator or a non-ionic photoacid generator into the liquid photoresist; reducing diffusion between the photoresist and the water; liquid immersion lithographyUS20050094116Oct 31, 2003May 5, 2005Asml Netherlands B.V.Gradient immersion lithographyUS20050100745Nov 6, 2003May 12, 2005Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Anti-corrosion layer on objective lens for liquid immersion lithography applicationsUS20050110973Nov 24, 2003May 26, 2005Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20050117224Dec 15, 2003Jun 2, 2005Carl Zeiss Smt AgCatadioptric projection objective with geometric beam splittingUS20050122497Dec 3, 2003Jun 9, 2005Lyons Christopher F.Immersion lithographic process using a conforming immersion mediumUS20050134815Dec 23, 2003Jun 23, 2005Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20050141098Sep 8, 2004Jun 30, 2005Carl Zeiss Smt AgVery high-aperture projection objectiveUS20050190455Dec 15, 2004Sep 1, 2005Carl Zeiss Smt AgRefractive projection objective for immersion lithographyUS20050217135Sep 30, 2004Oct 6, 2005Lam Research Corp.Phobic barrier meniscus separation and containmentUS20050217137Jun 30, 2004Oct 6, 2005Lam Research Corp.Concentric proximity processing headUS20050217703Sep 30, 2004Oct 6, 2005Lam Research Corp.Apparatus and method for utilizing a meniscus in substrate processingUS20050231694Apr 14, 2004Oct 20, 2005Asml Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodUS20060023182Sep 28, 2005Feb 2, 2006Nikon CorporationEnvironmental system including a transport region for an immersion lithography apparatusDD221563A1 Title not availableDD224448A1 Title not availableEP0605103A1Nov 26, 1993Jul 6, 1994Canon Kabushiki KaishaProjection apparatus for immersed exposureEP0834773A2Oct 6, 1997Apr 8, 1998Nikon CorporationFocusing and tilting adjustment system for lithography aligner, manufacturing apparatus or inspection apparatusEP1420298A2Nov 10, 2003May 19, 2004ASML Netherlands B.V.Immersion lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodEP1420299A2Nov 10, 2003May 19, 2004ASML Netherlands B.V.Immersion lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodEP1429188A2Nov 10, 2003Jun 16, 2004ASML Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodEP1624481A1May 14, 2004Feb 8, 2006Nikon CorporationExposure apparatus and method for manufacturing deviceEP1628161A2Jul 29, 2005Feb 22, 2006ASML Netherlands B.V.Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing methodEP1699073A1Dec 15, 2004Sep 6, 2006Nikon CorporationStage system, exposure apparatus and exposure methodEP1727188A1Feb 17, 2005Nov 29, 2006Nikon CorporationExposure apparatus, supply method and recovery method, exposure method, and device producing methodJPH0562877A Title not availableJPH04305915A Title not availableJPH04305917A Title not availableJPH05304072A Title not availableJPH06124873A Title not availableJPH06168866A Title not availableJPH06181157A Title not availableJPH07132262A Title not availableJPH07220990A Title not availableJPH08166475A Title not availableJPH08316125A Title not availableJPH08330224A Title not availableJPH10116760A Title not availableJPH10154659A Title not availableJPH10163099A Title not availableJPH10214783A Title not availableJPH10255319A Title not availableJPH10303114A Title not availableJPS5919912A Title not availableJPS6265326A Title not availableJPS57153433A Title not availableJPS58202448A Title not availableJPS63157419A Title not available* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1Apr. 6, 2004 International Search Report in International Application No. PCT/JP03/15666, with translation.2Dec. 14, 2007 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,090.3Dec. 14, 2007 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/473,147.4Emerging Lithographic Technologies VI, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 4688 (2002), "Semiconductor Foundry, Lithography, and Partners", B.J. Lin, pp. 11-24.5J. Microlith., Microfab., Microsyst., vol. 1 No. 3, Oct. 2002, Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, "Resolution enhancement of 157 nm lithography by liquid immersion", M. Switkes et al., pp. 1-4.6Jan. 12, 2007 Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200380105423.X, with translation.7Jan. 19, 2010 Danish Examination Report in Singapore Application No. 200704280-7.8Jan. 22, 2010 Notice of Allowance in Chinese Application No. 200380105423.X, with translation.9Jan. 4, 2010 Danish Examination Report in Singapore Application No. 200704279-9.10Jul. 10, 2009 Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200380105423.X, with translation.11Jun. 30, 2006 Australian Examination Report in Singapore Application No. 200503238-8.12Mar. 20, 2007 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/473,147.13Mar. 23, 2011 Office Action in Chinese Application No. 201010155625.7, with translation.14Mar. 26, 2007 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,090.15Mar. 6, 2009 Australian Search and Examination Report in Singapore Application No. 200704278-1.16May 18, 2009 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/473,147.17May 4, 2009 Danish Invitation to Response to Written Opinion in Singapore Application No. 2007042799.18May 4, 2009 Danish Invitation to Response to Written Opinion in Singapore Application No. 2007042807.19May 7, 2009 Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,090.20Nikon Corporation, 3rd 157 nm symposium, Sep. 4, 2002, "Nikon F2 Exposure Tool", Soichi Owa et al., 25 pages (slides 1-25).21Nikon Corporation, Immersion Lithography Workshop, Dec. 11, 2002, 24 pages (slides 1-24).22Nikon Corporation, Immersion Workshop, Jan. 27, 2004, "Update on 193 nm immersion exposure tool", S. Owa et al., 38 pages (slides 1-38).23Nikon Corporation, Litho Forum, Jan. 28, 2004, "Update on 193 nm immersion exposure tool", S. Owa et al., 51 pages (slides 1-51).24Nikon Corporation, NGL Workshop, Jul. 10, 2003, :Potential performance and feasibility of immersion lithography, Soichi Owa et al., 33 pages, slides 1-33.25Nov. 8, 2005 Australian Invitation to Response to Written Opinion in Singapore Application No. 2005032388.26Oct. 28, 2010 Office Action in Korean Application No. 2005-7009676, with translation.27Oct. 30, 2009 Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200380105423.X, with translation.28Optical Microlithography XV, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 4691 (2002), "Resolution Enhancement of 157 nm Lithography by Liquid Immersion", M. Switkes et al., pp. 459-465.29Optical Microlithography XVI, Proceedings of SPIE vol. 5040 (2003), "Immersion lithography; its potential performance and issues", Soichi Owa et al., pp. 724-733.30Sep. 10, 2008 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,090.31Sep. 11, 2008 Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/473,147.32Sep. 15, 2008 Supplemental European Search Report in European Application No. 03777347.0.Classifications U.S. Classification355/53, 355/30International ClassificationG03B27/42, G03B27/52, G03F7/20Cooperative ClassificationG03F7/70341, G03F7/707European ClassificationG03F7/70F24, G03F7/70N2RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google