US4853745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exposure apparatus
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1988-06-24
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Granted: 1989-08-01
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Expires: 2008-06-24
Abstract
Abstract An exposure apparatus for exposing to a substrate the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon. Light source for illuminating the mask by at least part of the laser light from the light source, a projection optical system, movable stage, position detecting for detecting the relative position of the stage and the mask and outputting a position signal, a fiducial member formed integrally with the stage, the fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed thereon. A second illuminating optical system for illuminating the fiducial pattern from the opposite side of the projection optical system with respect to the fiducial member. The second illuminating optical system having a plurality of reflecting members for directing at least part of the laser light from the light source to the fiducial pattern. Normalizing a second detection signal on the basis of a first detection signal, and processing for determining the position of the image of the mark formed on the predetermined surface by the projection optical system, on the basis of a position signal and the second normalized detection signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Saburo Kamiya
- 👤 Kazuaki Suzuki
- 👤 Akikazu Tanimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F9/00; G03F9/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
364 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate by the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon by a portion intercepting a light and a portion transmitting the light therethrough, including: (a) a light source outputting a laser light; (b) first illuminating means for illuminating said mask by at least part of the laser light from said light source; (c) a projection optical system for forming the image of said mark on a predetermined surface; (d) stage means movable along said predetermined surface with said substrate placed thereon; (e) position detecting means for detecting the relative position between said stage means and said mask and outputting a position signal; (f) a fiducial member formed integrally with said stage means, said fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed so as to be substantially coincident with said predetermined surface and formed by a portion transmitting the light therethrough and a portion intercepting the light; (g) a second illuminating optical system for illuminating said fiducial pattern from the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said fiducial member, said second illuminating optical system having a plurality of reflecting members for directing at least part of the laser light from said light source to said fiducial pattern; (h) first photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the light and outputting a first detection signal; (i) means for directing at least part of the laser light from said light source to said first photodetector means; (j) a detecting optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask; (k) second photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the light from said fiducial pattern passed through said projection optical system, said detecting optical system and said mask and outputting a second detection signal; (l) normalizing means for normalizing said second detection signal on the basis of said first detection signal; and (m) processing means for determining the position of the image of said mark formed on said predetermined surface by said projection optical system, on the basis of said position signal and said second detection signal normalized by said normalizing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
364 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate by the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon by a portion intercepting a light and a portion transmitting the light therethrough, including: (a) a light source outputting a laser light; (b) first illuminating means for illuminating said mask by at least part of the laser light from said light source; (c) a projection optical system for forming the image of said mark on a predetermined surface; (d) stage means movable along said predetermined surface with said substrate placed thereon; (e) position detecting means for detecting the relative position between said stage means and said mask and outputting a position signal; (f) a fiducial member formed integrally with said stage means, said fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed so as to be substantially coincident with said predetermined surface and formed by a portion transmitting the light therethrough and a portion intercepting the light; (g) a second illuminating optical system for illuminating said fiducial pattern from the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said fiducial member, said second illuminating optical system having a plurality of reflecting members for directing at least part of the laser light from said light source to said fiducial pattern; (h) first photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the light and outputting a first detection signal; (i) means for directing at least part of the laser light from said light source to said first photodetector means; (j) a detecting optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask; (k) second photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the light from said fiducial pattern passed through said projection optical system, said detecting optical system and said mask and outputting a second detection signal; (l) normalizing means for normalizing said second detection signal on the basis of said first detection signal; and (m) processing means for determining the position of the image of said mark formed on said predetermined surface by said projection optical system, on the basis of said position signal and said second detection signal normalized by said normalizing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second illuminating optical system illuminates said fiducial pattern with the laser light from said light source without using an optical fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
290 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate by the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon by a portion intercepting radiation and a portion transmitting the radiation therethrough, including: (a) a projection optical system for forming the image of said mark on a predetermined surface; (b) stage means movable along said predetermined surface with said substrate placed thereon; (c) position detecting means for detecting the relative position between said stage means and said mask and outputting a position signal; (d) a fiducial member formed integrally with said stage means, said fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed so as to be substantially coincident with said predetermined surface; (e) a radiation source; (f) an illuminating optical system for illuminating said fiducial pattern with at least part of the radiation from said radiation source; (g) first photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the radiation and outputting a first detection signal; (h) means for directing at least part of the radiation from said radiation source to said first photodetector means; (i) a detecting optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask; (j) second photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the radiation from said fiducial pattern passed through said projection optical system, said detecting optical system and said mask and outputting a second detection signal; (k) normalizing means for normalizing said second detection signal on the basis of said first detection signal; and (l) processing means for determining the position of the image of said mark formed on said predetermined surface by said projection optical system, on the basis of said position signal and said second detection signal normalized by said normalizing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
290 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate by the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon by a portion intercepting radiation and a portion transmitting the radiation therethrough, including: (a) a projection optical system for forming the image of said mark on a predetermined surface; (b) stage means movable along said predetermined surface with said substrate placed thereon; (c) position detecting means for detecting the relative position between said stage means and said mask and outputting a position signal; (d) a fiducial member formed integrally with said stage means, said fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed so as to be substantially coincident with said predetermined surface; (e) a radiation source; (f) an illuminating optical system for illuminating said fiducial pattern with at least part of the radiation from said radiation source; (g) first photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the radiation and outputting a first detection signal; (h) means for directing at least part of the radiation from said radiation source to said first photodetector means; (i) a detecting optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask; (j) second photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the radiation from said fiducial pattern passed through said projection optical system, said detecting optical system and said mask and outputting a second detection signal; (k) normalizing means for normalizing said second detection signal on the basis of said first detection signal; and (l) processing means for determining the position of the image of said mark formed on said predetermined surface by said projection optical system, on the basis of said position signal and said second detection signal normalized by said normalizing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said fiducial member has an area intercepting the radiation and an area transmitting the radiation therethrough, and said projection optical system directs to said mask the radiation from said illuminating optical system passed through said fiducial member
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said radiation source produces a laser light, and said illuminating optical system has a plurality of reflecting members for directing at least part of the radiation from said radiation source to said fiducial member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second photodetector means has a radiation receiving surface lying at a position optically substantially conjugate with the exit pupil of said projection optical system with respect to the radiation from said fiducial pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 6, further including another illuminating optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask for illuminating said mask by at least part of the radiation from said radiation source, and wherein said detecting optical system directs to said second photodetector means at least part of the radiation from said mask passed through said another illuminating optical system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said another illuminating optical system has stop means having a variable aperture, said stop means lying at a position optically substantially conjugate with said mask.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 8, further including radiation emission control means for causing said radiation source to emit radiation, and wherein said position detecting a means outputs said position signal each time said stage is moved by a predetermined amount, and said processing means makes said radiation emission control means cause said radiation source to emit radiation each time said position signal is output.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said normalizing means divides said second detection signal by said first detection signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
259 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing by a substrate the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon by a portion intercepting radiation and transmitting the radiation therethrough, including: (a) a radiation source; (b) a first illuminating optical system for illuminating said mask by the radiation from said radiation source; (c) a projection optical system for forming the image of said mark on a predetermined surface; (d) stage means movable along said predetermined surface with said substrate placed thereon; (e) position detecting means for detecting the relative position between said stage means and said mask and outputting a position signal; (f) a fiducial member formed integrally with said stage means, said fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed so as to be substantially coincident with said predetermined surface; (g) a second illuminating optical system for illuminating said fiducial pattern, said second illuminating optical system having a plurality of reflecting members for directing at least part of the radiation from said radiation source to said fiducial member; (h) a detecting optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask; and (i) photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the radiation from said fiducial pattern passed through said projection optical system, said detecting optical system and said mask and outputting a detection signal, said photodetector means having a radiation-receiving surface disposed at a position optically substantially conjugate with the exit pupil of said projection optical system with respect to the radiation from said fiducial pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
259 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing by a substrate the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon by a portion intercepting radiation and transmitting the radiation therethrough, including: (a) a radiation source; (b) a first illuminating optical system for illuminating said mask by the radiation from said radiation source; (c) a projection optical system for forming the image of said mark on a predetermined surface; (d) stage means movable along said predetermined surface with said substrate placed thereon; (e) position detecting means for detecting the relative position between said stage means and said mask and outputting a position signal; (f) a fiducial member formed integrally with said stage means, said fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed so as to be substantially coincident with said predetermined surface; (g) a second illuminating optical system for illuminating said fiducial pattern, said second illuminating optical system having a plurality of reflecting members for directing at least part of the radiation from said radiation source to said fiducial member; (h) a detecting optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask; and (i) photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the radiation from said fiducial pattern passed through said projection optical system, said detecting optical system and said mask and outputting a detection signal, said photodetector means having a radiation-receiving surface disposed at a position optically substantially conjugate with the exit pupil of said projection optical system with respect to the radiation from said fiducial pattern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 11, further including processing means for determining the position of the image of said mark formed on said predetermined surface by said projection lens, on the basis of said position signal and said detection signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said illuminating optical system has stop means having a variable aperture, said stop means being disposed at a position optically substantially conjugate with said mask.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said radiation source produces a laser light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
295 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate by the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon by a portion intercepting radiation and a portion transmitting the radiation therethrough, including: (a) a radiation source; (b) a first illuminating optical system for illuminating said mask by the radiation from said radiation source; (c) a projection optical system for forming the image of said mark on a predetermined surface; (d) stage means movable along said predetermined surface with said substrate placed thereon; (e) position detecting means for detecting the relative position between said stage means and said mask and outputting a position signal; (f) a fiducial member formed integrally with said stage means, said fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed so as to be substantially coincide with said predetermined surface; (g) a second illuminating optical system for illuminating said fiducial pattern, said second illuminating optical system having a plurality of reflecting members for directing at least part of the radiation from said radiation source to said fiducial member; (h) a detecting optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask; (i) photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the radiation from said fiducial pattern passed through said projection optical system, said detecting optical system and said mask and outputting a detection signal, said photodetector means having a radiation-receiving surface disposed at a position optically substantially conjugate with the exit pupil of said projection optical system with respect to the radiation from said fiducial pattern; and (j) processing means for determining the position of the image of said mark formed on said predetermined surface by said projection optical system, on the basis of said position signal and said detection signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
295 words
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate by the image of the desired pattern of a mask having a mark and a desired pattern formed thereon by a portion intercepting radiation and a portion transmitting the radiation therethrough, including: (a) a radiation source; (b) a first illuminating optical system for illuminating said mask by the radiation from said radiation source; (c) a projection optical system for forming the image of said mark on a predetermined surface; (d) stage means movable along said predetermined surface with said substrate placed thereon; (e) position detecting means for detecting the relative position between said stage means and said mask and outputting a position signal; (f) a fiducial member formed integrally with said stage means, said fiducial member having a fiducial pattern disposed so as to be substantially coincide with said predetermined surface; (g) a second illuminating optical system for illuminating said fiducial pattern, said second illuminating optical system having a plurality of reflecting members for directing at least part of the radiation from said radiation source to said fiducial member; (h) a detecting optical system disposed on the opposite side of said projection optical system with respect to said mask; (i) photodetector means for detecting the intensity of the radiation from said fiducial pattern passed through said projection optical system, said detecting optical system and said mask and outputting a detection signal, said photodetector means having a radiation-receiving surface disposed at a position optically substantially conjugate with the exit pupil of said projection optical system with respect to the radiation from said fiducial pattern; and (j) processing means for determining the position of the image of said mark formed on said predetermined surface by said projection optical system, on the basis of said position signal and said detection signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An exposure apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said radiation source produces a laser light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-31 | 1993-01-30 | 1993-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-31 | 1997-01-30 | 1997-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-31 | 2001-01-30 | 2001-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |