Patent · US Expired

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method

US7230674B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
1References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 2006
Grant dateJun 12, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/70933
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A lithographic apparatus includes a radiation system that provides a beam of radiation, and a support structure that supports a patterning structure. The patterning structure is configured to pattern the beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a substrate support that supports a substrate, and a projection system that projects the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The projection system includes an optical element that has a beam exit area through each of which the patterned beam passes. The apparatus further includes a fluid cleaning system that cleans a fluid to be introduced into a region in between the optical element and the substrate. The fluid cleaning system includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a cleaning zone disposed between the inlet and outlet. The cleaning zone includes a nucleated surface provided with a plurality of nucleation sites.

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