Patent · US Expired

Proximity-type microlithography apparatus and method

US5891806A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
3References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 17, 1997
Grant dateApr 6, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S438/942
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for increasing the illuminance at a mask used for proximity-type microlithography and for achieving increases in throughput. A mask defining a pattern is illuminated by an illumination optical system. The pattern is transferred to a workpiece separated from the mask by a prescribed standoff. The mask and workpiece can be relatively moved in a scan direction. With respect to the illumination optical system, the workpiece-side numerical aperture in a first direction on the plane of the mask is different from the workpiece-side numerical aperture in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, on the plane of the mask. A reflective-type relay optical system can be included that comprises first and second spherical mirrors that do not produce chromatic aberrations.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.