Patent ID: 7583358

Claim:
A photolithography system for microfeature workpieces, comprising: a movable support configured to carry a microfeature workpiece with a surface of the microfeature workpiece at a surface location; a radiation system positioned proximate to the support to direct radiation along a radiation path toward the support; and an immersion lens system that includes: a lens; a liquid supply device having at least one liquid supply port positioned to deliver a liquid to the surface location proximate to the lens while the support moves the microfeature workpiece relative to the lens, the liquid supply device further including a liquid return port positioned proximate to the at least one liquid supply port to remove liquid at least proximate to the surface location; a gas bearing positioned outwardly from the liquid supply port and the liquid return port, the gas bearing having multiple generally downwardly directed nozzles directed toward the surface location to maintain a relative separation between the surface location and the lens; a gas injection device having at least one inwardly directed injection port positioned inwardly from the gas bearing and outwardly from the at least one liquid supply port, the gas injection device further having a recovery port positioned inwardly from the injection port; and a controller having instructions to activate selected injection and recovery ports depending upon the relative motion between the lens and the support.