Patent · US Expired

Contact exposure process and device

US6232023A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
7References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 27, 1999
Grant dateMay 15, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 27, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/7035
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A contact exposure device and process in which there is no danger of damage to the mask, and in which the workpiece is not damaged is achieved by a back up ring or the like being provided between a mask carrier and a workpiece carrier. The workpiece carrier and the mask carrier are moved apart from one another by a stipulated distance. The mask and the workpiece are attached by vacuum suction or the like on the mask carrier and the workpiece carrier, respectively. A subatmospheric pressure is produced in the space between the mask and the workpiece. Since the workpiece carrier and the mask carrier are moved apart from one another by a stipulated distance, the mask does bend when the pressure is reduced, but the mask and the workpiece do not come into contact. In this state, air is supplied from a compressor to openings in the workpiece carrier, causing the workpiece to be raised and arranged tightly against the mask, at which point, exposure is performed.

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