Patent ID: 6847672

Claim:
An exposure apparatus comprising: (i) a laser oscillating apparatus, said laser oscillating apparatus generating illumination light, said laser oscillating apparatus including a gas supply path structure, including a first port serving as a first fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet, a second port serving as a second fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet and a throat portion provided between the first and second ports wherein the first and second ports are symmetric with respect to the throat portion as a center; a gas supplier capable of supplying a laser gas into the gas supply structure in two directions such that a flow speed of the laser gas supplied in either of said two directions is less than a speed of sound at the throat portion; and a waveguide unit having a plurality of slots for guiding microwaves into said gas supply path structure, (ii) a first optical system for radiating said illumination light from said laser oscillating apparatus onto a reticle in which a predetermined pattern is formed; and (iii) a second optical system for irradiating said illumination light having passed through said reticle, onto a surface to be irradiated.