US5172402A — Exposure apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 211 words

An exposure apparatus, comprising: a radiation source generating a non-uniformness in illuminance including x-rays generally in a direction in one dimension with respect to a predetermined exposure region; illuminance measuring means for measuring an illuminance distribution in the direction in one dimension in the exposure region and in an area adjacent thereto; shutter means having a leading edge effective to start exposure in the exposure region and a trailing edge effective to stop the exposure; a memory with a drive table for setting a drive curve for the leading and trailing edges in accordance with the measured illuminance distribution; shutter driving means for causing the leading and trailing edges to move through the exposure region in the direction in one dimension, independently of each other, in accordance with said drive table; edge position detecting means for detecting, with an illuminance detector of said illuminance measuring means and at two different points spaced in the direction in one direction, a position of a shadow of one of the leading and trailing edges; and coordinate conversion means for effecting conversion of a coordinate system of said drive table and a coordinate system for the positioning of said illuminance detector during the illuminance distribution measurement, in accordance with results of the edge position detection.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 211 words

An exposure apparatus, comprising: a radiation source generating a non-uniformness in illuminance including x-rays generally in a direction in one dimension with respect to a predetermined exposure region; illuminance measuring means for measuring an illuminance distribution in the direction in one dimension in the exposure region and in an area adjacent thereto; shutter means having a leading edge effective to start exposure in the exposure region and a trailing edge effective to stop the exposure; a memory with a drive table for setting a drive curve for the leading and trailing edges in accordance with the measured illuminance distribution; shutter driving means for causing the leading and trailing edges to move through the exposure region in the direction in one dimension, independently of each other, in accordance with said drive table; edge position detecting means for detecting, with an illuminance detector of said illuminance measuring means and at two different points spaced in the direction in one direction, a position of a shadow of one of the leading and trailing edges; and coordinate conversion means for effecting conversion of a coordinate system of said drive table and a coordinate system for the positioning of said illuminance detector during the illuminance distribution measurement, in accordance with results of the edge position detection.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 143 words

A method of adjusting a shutter device of an exposure apparatus having a movable chuck for holding a substrate to be exposed, and an exposure region related to the exposure of the substrate, said shutter device having a movable shutter with a leading edge and a trailing edge, said method comprising the steps of: moving the shutter so that one of the leading and trailing edges of the shutter is related to the exposure region; projecting an exposure beam including x-rays between the leading and trailing edges of the shutter and to at least a portion of the exposure region; determining a position of a shadow of the one edge formed by the exposure beam with respect to a stage coordinate system related to the movement of the chuck; and adjusting the shutter on the basis of the determination in said determining step.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 143 words

A method of adjusting a shutter device of an exposure apparatus having a movable chuck for holding a substrate to be exposed, and an exposure region related to the exposure of the substrate, said shutter device having a movable shutter with a leading edge and a trailing edge, said method comprising the steps of: moving the shutter so that one of the leading and trailing edges of the shutter is related to the exposure region; projecting an exposure beam including x-rays between the leading and trailing edges of the shutter and to at least a portion of the exposure region; determining a position of a shadow of the one edge formed by the exposure beam with respect to a stage coordinate system related to the movement of the chuck; and adjusting the shutter on the basis of the determination in said determining step.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 48 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein said adjusting step comprises the step of determining the relationship between a position of the edge with respect to a shutter coordinate, set in relation to the shutter, and a position of the shadow with respect to the stage coordinate system.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein said adjusting step comprises the step of adjusting at least one of a position and an attitude of the shutter with respect to the exposure beam.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein the exposure beam includes at least one of light of a g-line, light of an i-line, light of an excimer laser and light of X-rays.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 128 words

An exposure method for the manufacture of semiconductor devices, comprising the steps of: moving a shutter having an edge so that the edge is related to a predetermined exposure region; projecting an exposure beam including X-rays to the edge of the shutter and to at least a portion of the exposure region; determining a position of a shadow of the edge of the shutter formed by the exposure beam with respect to a predetermined coordinate system related to movement of a movable chuck; adjusting the shutter in accordance with the determination in said determining step; placing a substrate on the chuck; moving the chuck so that the substrate is related to the exposure region; and controlling the exposure of the substrate with the exposure beam through the shutter.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 128 words

An exposure method for the manufacture of semiconductor devices, comprising the steps of: moving a shutter having an edge so that the edge is related to a predetermined exposure region; projecting an exposure beam including X-rays to the edge of the shutter and to at least a portion of the exposure region; determining a position of a shadow of the edge of the shutter formed by the exposure beam with respect to a predetermined coordinate system related to movement of a movable chuck; adjusting the shutter in accordance with the determination in said determining step; placing a substrate on the chuck; moving the chuck so that the substrate is related to the exposure region; and controlling the exposure of the substrate with the exposure beam through the shutter.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 168 words

An exposure apparatus, comprising: a chuck for holding a substrate to be exposed; a stage for moving said chuck in accordance with a stage coordinate system; a shutter having an edge, for controlling exposure of the substrate, held by said chuck, with an exposure beam including X-rays; a shutter driving mechanism for displacing said edge of said shutter in accordance with a shutter coordinate system; a first detector for detecting the exposure beam and producing a corresponding output; a second detector for determining a position of a shadow of said edge of said shutter formed by the exposure beam, with respect to the stage coordinate system, on the basis of the output of said first detector; and a processor for determining the relationship between a position of said edge of said shutter with respect to the shutter coordinate system and the position of the shadow of said edge of said shutter with respect to the stage coordinate system, on the basis of the determination by said second detector.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 168 words

An exposure apparatus, comprising: a chuck for holding a substrate to be exposed; a stage for moving said chuck in accordance with a stage coordinate system; a shutter having an edge, for controlling exposure of the substrate, held by said chuck, with an exposure beam including X-rays; a shutter driving mechanism for displacing said edge of said shutter in accordance with a shutter coordinate system; a first detector for detecting the exposure beam and producing a corresponding output; a second detector for determining a position of a shadow of said edge of said shutter formed by the exposure beam, with respect to the stage coordinate system, on the basis of the output of said first detector; and a processor for determining the relationship between a position of said edge of said shutter with respect to the shutter coordinate system and the position of the shadow of said edge of said shutter with respect to the stage coordinate system, on the basis of the determination by said second detector.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said chuck and said first detector are movable as a unit with said stage.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the exposure beam includes at least one of light of a g-line, light of an i-line, light of an excimer laser, and light of X-rays.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 104 words

An exposure apparatus, comprising: a chuck for holding a substrate to be exposed; a stage for moving said chuck in accordance with a stage coordinate system; a shutter having an edge, for controlling exposure of the substrate, held by said chuck, with an exposure beam including X-rays; a shutter driving mechanism for displacing said edge of said shutter in accordance with a shutter coordinate system; and a detector for determining, with respect to the stage coordinate system, a position of a shadow of said edge of said shutter formed by the exposure beam which edge is positioned with respect to the shutter coordinate system.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 104 words

An exposure apparatus, comprising: a chuck for holding a substrate to be exposed; a stage for moving said chuck in accordance with a stage coordinate system; a shutter having an edge, for controlling exposure of the substrate, held by said chuck, with an exposure beam including X-rays; a shutter driving mechanism for displacing said edge of said shutter in accordance with a shutter coordinate system; and a detector for determining, with respect to the stage coordinate system, a position of a shadow of said edge of said shutter formed by the exposure beam which edge is positioned with respect to the shutter coordinate system.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 32 words

An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an adjuster for adjusting an attitude of said shutter with respect to the exposure beam, in accordance with the determination made by said detector.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 32 words

An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the exposure beam includes at least one of light of a g-line light of an i-line, light of an excimer laser, and light of X-rays.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 66 words

A shutter adjusting method for use in an exposure apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices, for adjusting a shutter with an edge, comprising the steps of: projecting the edge of the shutter on a predetermined plane with an exposure beam including X-rays; detecting a position of the projected edge of the shutter; and adjusting the shutter in accordance with the detection in said detecting step.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 66 words

A shutter adjusting method for use in an exposure apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices, for adjusting a shutter with an edge, comprising the steps of: projecting the edge of the shutter on a predetermined plane with an exposure beam including X-rays; detecting a position of the projected edge of the shutter; and adjusting the shutter in accordance with the detection in said detecting step.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method according to claim 13, wherein the exposure beam includes at least one of light of a g-line, light of an i-line, light of an excimer laser, and light of X-rays.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method according to claim 14, wherein the light of X-rays is produced from a synchrotron radiation source.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 76 words

A method of patterning a substrate through exposure of the substrate while controlling the exposure with a shutter having an edge, said method comprising the steps of: projecting the edge of the shutter on a predetermined plane; detecting a position of the projected edge of the shutter; adjusting the shutter on the basis of said detection in said detecting step; and exposing the substrate with radiation including X-rays while controlling the exposure through the adjusted shutter.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 76 words

A method of patterning a substrate through exposure of the substrate while controlling the exposure with a shutter having an edge, said method comprising the steps of: projecting the edge of the shutter on a predetermined plane; detecting a position of the projected edge of the shutter; adjusting the shutter on the basis of said detection in said detecting step; and exposing the substrate with radiation including X-rays while controlling the exposure through the adjusted shutter.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method according to claim 16, wherein the radiation includes at least one of light of a g-line, light of an i-line, light of an excimer laser and light of X-rays.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein the light of X-rays is produced from a synchrotron radiation source.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-12-15	1996-06-15	1996-12-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-12-15	2000-06-15	2000-12-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-12-15	2004-06-15	2004-12-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Exposure apparatus

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