US4577959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exposure apparatus
Assignee: Orc Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1984-05-29
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Granted: 1986-03-25
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Expires: 2004-05-29
Abstract
Abstract An exposure apparatus comprises a fly eye lens through which the light beam from a light source condensed by a first optical system is supplied to a second optical system which collimates the light to direct it to a work through a mask pattern so that the pattern is printed on the work, the fly eye lens being rotated to uniform the distribution of illuminance so that a clear printed pattern is formed on the work without interference fringes.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Yazaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70483; G03F7/7055; G03F7/70583; G03F7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing a workpiece to light, which light passes through a mask so that exposed portions of the workpiece correspond to a pattern of the mask, said apparatus comprising: light source means for emitting light to expose the workpiece, first optical system means for condensing the light emitted from said light source means to form a light beam and to project the light beam along a first path, a fly eye lens operatively disposed along said first path wherein the light beam condensed by said first optical system means passes through said fly eye lens, second optical system means for collimating the light beam passing through said fly eye lens to direct the collimated light beam along a second path to the workpiece through the mask to expose portions of the workpiece to the collimated light beam which correspond to the pattern of the mask, mounting means for mounting said fly eye lens for rotation about an axis established by said first path, and lens drive means for rotating said fly eye lens at a predetermined number of revolutions about said axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing a workpiece to light, which light passes through a mask so that exposed portions of the workpiece correspond to a pattern of the mask, said apparatus comprising: light source means for emitting light to expose the workpiece, first optical system means for condensing the light emitted from said light source means to form a light beam and to project the light beam along a first path, a fly eye lens operatively disposed along said first path wherein the light beam condensed by said first optical system means passes through said fly eye lens, second optical system means for collimating the light beam passing through said fly eye lens to direct the collimated light beam along a second path to the workpiece through the mask to expose portions of the workpiece to the collimated light beam which correspond to the pattern of the mask, mounting means for mounting said fly eye lens for rotation about an axis established by said first path, and lens drive means for rotating said fly eye lens at a predetermined number of revolutions about said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising shutter means disposed in front of said fly eye lens for intercepting the light beam along said first path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising shutter drive means for operating said shutter means to control exposure time of said workpiece to the collimated light beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first optical system means includes concave mirror means for reflecting the light emitted from said light source means and for condensing the emitted light, and first mirror means for reflecting the emitted and condensed light reflected by said concave mirror means to form the light beam and for directing the light beam to said fly eye lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second optical system means includes second mirror means for reflecting the light beam passing through said fly eye lens and collimator mirror means for receiving the light beam reflected by said second mirror means to collimate the light beam and to pass the collimated light beam on to the workpiece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light source means includes a far ultraviolet arc lamp having mercury vapor therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An exposure apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said lens drive means includes a motor and means for coupling said motor to said fly eye lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An exposure apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said means for coupling includes a drive pulley fixed to said motor and a drive belt operatively coupling said drive pulley and said mounting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An exposure apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said mounting means includes holder means for holding said fly eye lens, and sleeve means for supporting said holder means and thus said fly eye lens for said rotation about said axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3217594A
Cited
US4497015A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-24 | 1989-09-23 | 1990-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-09-23 | 1994-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-24 | 1997-09-23 | 1998-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |