Patent ID: 7456928

Claim:
A photolithography system for microfeature workpieces, comprising: a 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; an immersion lens system that includes: a lens, wherein at least one of the lens and the support is movable relative to the other; and a liquid supply device having at least one liquid supply port positioned to deliver a liquid to the surface location in contact with the lens while at least one of the support and the lens moves relative to the other, 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; and a generally gas-tight enclosure disposed around at least a portion of the surface location, the enclosure being coupleable to a vacuum source and being configured to withstand an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure.