Patent · US Active

Environmental system including vacuum scavenge for an immersion lithography apparatus

US8089610B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
56References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 2, 2007
Grant dateJan 3, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 2, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/709
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A lithographic projection apparatus includes a liquid confinement structure extending along at least a part of a boundary of a space between a projection system and a substrate table, the space having a cross-sectional area smaller than the area of the substrate. The liquid confinement structure includes a first inlet to supply liquid, through which the patterned beam is projected, to the space, a first outlet to remove liquid after the liquid has passed under the projection system, a second inlet formed in a face of the structure, the face arranged to oppose a surface of the substrate, and located radially outward, with respect to an optical axis of the projection system, of the space to supply gas, and a second outlet formed in the face and located radially outward, with respect to an optical axis of the projection system, of the second inlet to remove gas.

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