Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for determining a position of a substrate relative to a support stage

US7372250B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
8References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 19, 2004
Grant dateMay 13, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F9/7011
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A sensing system includes a plurality of probes arranged in a spaced relation around a stage that is adapted to support a substrate. Each probe includes a detection portion adapted to move from a known starting position toward an edge of the substrate that is supported by the stage; detect the edge of the substrate while the substrate is supported by the stage; generate a detection signal following said detection; and stop moving toward the edge of the substrate following said detection. A controller may determine an edge position of the substrate relative to the stage based on the known starting position of each detection portion and based on the detection signal generated by each detection portion. Numerous other aspects are provided.

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