Patent US5137363A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5137363A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Projection exposure apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1990-06-05
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2010-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A projection exposure apparatus for projecting a pattern formed on a first object such as a reticle upon a second object such as a semiconductor wafer by use of a projection lens system, is disclosed. In the apparatus, a light of a predetermined wavelength is used for the pattern projection, and a light having a different wavelength is used to align the first and second objects by way of the projection lens system. A dichroic mirror film is disposed inclinedly between the first object and the projection lens system so as to reflect one of the light of the predetermined wavelength and the light of the different wavelength, and also to transmit the other. By this dichroic mirror film, the light used for the alignment and reflected back from the second object is extracted out of a light path between the first and second objects. After correcting effects of chromatic aberrations of the projection lens system with respect to the different wavelength, the light for the alignment is passed through the first object. By this, accurate alignment using the light of a wavelength different from that to be used for the pattern projection, is made practically attainable. Also, use of lights of different wavelengths, other than the wavelength to be used for the pattern projection, is made practically attainable. Thus, accurate and stable alignment is attainable regardless of the configuration of the mark provided on the second object.
Inventors
- 👤 Masao Kosugi
- 👤 Akiyoshi Suzuki
- 👤 Hideki Ina
- 👤 Hitoshi Fukuda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:59
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F9/00; G03F9/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a first stage for supporting an original a second stage for supporting a workpiece; a first light source for producing first light having a first wavelength; a second light source for producing second light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; a third light source for producing third light having a third wavelength different from the first and second wavelengths; a projection lens system disposed between said first and second stages for projecting an image of a pattern of the original onto the workpiece with the first light to transfer the pattern of the original onto the workpiece; first image forming means for illuminating the workpiece with the second light, for receiving light reflected from the workpiece and passed through said projection lens system, and for projecting an image of a mark of the workpiece onto the original with the reflected light of the second wavelength received thereby, said first image forming means comprising a first correction optical system for correcting astigmatism and coma from chromatic aberration produced by said projection lens system due to the difference in wavelength between the first and second light; and second image forming means for illuminating the workpiece with the third light, for receiving light reflected from the workpiece and passed through said projection lens system, and for projecting an image of the mark of the workpiece onto a predetermined plane, different from the original, with the reflected light of the third wavelength received thereby, said second image forming means comprising a second correction optical system for correcting astigmatism and coma from chromatic aberration produced by said projection lens system due to the difference in wavelength between the first and third light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a first stage for supporting an original a second stage for supporting a workpiece; a first light source for producing first light having a first wavelength; a second light source for producing second light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; a third light source for producing third light having a third wavelength different from the first and second wavelengths; a projection lens system disposed between said first and second stages for projecting an image of a pattern of the original onto the workpiece with the first light to transfer the pattern of the original onto the workpiece; first image forming means for illuminating the workpiece with the second light, for receiving light reflected from the workpiece and passed through said projection lens system, and for projecting an image of a mark of the workpiece onto the original with the reflected light of the second wavelength received thereby, said first image forming means comprising a first correction optical system for correcting astigmatism and coma from chromatic aberration produced by said projection lens system due to the difference in wavelength between the first and second light; and second image forming means for illuminating the workpiece with the third light, for receiving light reflected from the workpiece and passed through said projection lens system, and for projecting an image of the mark of the workpiece onto a predetermined plane, different from the original, with the reflected light of the third wavelength received thereby, said second image forming means comprising a second correction optical system for correcting astigmatism and coma from chromatic aberration produced by said projection lens system due to the difference in wavelength between the first and third light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a dichroic mirror member disposed between said first stage and said projection lens system, wherein each of said first and second image forming means comprise means for receiving light reflected from the workpiece and received from said projection lens system and said dichroic mirror member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
285 words
A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a first stage for supporting an original; a second stage for supporting a workpiece; a light source for producing first light having a first wavelength; a projection lens system disposed between said first and second stages for projecting an image of a pattern of the original onto the workpiece with the first light to transfer the pattern of the original onto the workpiece; and a mark detecting optical system comprising a correction optical system, a movable objective lens movable along the surface of the original for observation of first and second marks provided at different positions on the original, and means for illuminating, through said objective lens, the original and the workpiece with light having substantially the same wavelength as the first light and for directing light reflected from the workpiece to the original through said projection lens system to project an image of a mark of the workpiece onto the original to thereby detect the first mark of the original and the mark of the workpiece, said mark detecting optical system further comprising means for illuminating, through said objective lens, the original and the workpiece with second light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and for directing light reflected from the workpiece to the original through said projection lens system and said correction optical system to project an image of the mark of the workpiece onto the original to thereby detect the second mark of the original and the mark of the workpiece; wherein said correction optical system comprises means for correcting astigmatism and coma from chromatic aberration produced by said projection lens system due to the difference in wavelength between the first and second light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
285 words
A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a first stage for supporting an original; a second stage for supporting a workpiece; a light source for producing first light having a first wavelength; a projection lens system disposed between said first and second stages for projecting an image of a pattern of the original onto the workpiece with the first light to transfer the pattern of the original onto the workpiece; and a mark detecting optical system comprising a correction optical system, a movable objective lens movable along the surface of the original for observation of first and second marks provided at different positions on the original, and means for illuminating, through said objective lens, the original and the workpiece with light having substantially the same wavelength as the first light and for directing light reflected from the workpiece to the original through said projection lens system to project an image of a mark of the workpiece onto the original to thereby detect the first mark of the original and the mark of the workpiece, said mark detecting optical system further comprising means for illuminating, through said objective lens, the original and the workpiece with second light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and for directing light reflected from the workpiece to the original through said projection lens system and said correction optical system to project an image of the mark of the workpiece onto the original to thereby detect the second mark of the original and the mark of the workpiece; wherein said correction optical system comprises means for correcting astigmatism and coma from chromatic aberration produced by said projection lens system due to the difference in wavelength between the first and second light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a dichroic mirror member disposed between said first stage and said projection lens system, wherein said mark detecting optical system comprises means for receiving light reflected from the workpiece and received from said projection lens system and said dichroic mirror member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |