US5184196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Projection exposure apparatus
Assignee: Nikon Corp
•
Filing: 1991-12-19
•
Granted: 1993-02-02
•
Expires: 2011-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A projection exposure apparatus comprises a projection optical system for forming an image of a predetermined pattern on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate under exposure light having a first wavelength, an illumination system for illuminating a mask on the photosensitive substrate with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength through the projection optical system so as to attain alignment, and a detection system for detecting light reflected by the mark. The illumination system comprises a light source for emitting the light having the second wavelength, a first field stop for defining an illumination field on the photosensitive substrate and a second field stop for defining an illumination field on the photosensitive substrate. The first field stop has at least two linear edges which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sagittal direction in a visual field of the projection optical system and are juxtaposed in the sagittal direction at a predetermined interval. The second field stop extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a meridional direction in a visual field of the projection optical system and has at least two linear edges juxtaposed in the meridional direction at a predetermined interval.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Nakagawa
- 👤 Hideo Mizutani
- 👤 Kouichirou Komatsu
- 👤 Yawara Nojima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:34
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70058; G03F7/70066; G03F9/00; G03F9/70; G03F9/7049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A projection exposure apparatus for projecting a predetermined pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate, comprising; a projection optical system for forming an image of the pattern on said substrate under exposure light having a first wavelength; an illumination system for illuminating a mark on said photosensitive substrate with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength through said projection optical system so as to attain alignment; and said mark, said illumination system comprising; a light source for emitting the light having the second wavelength; a first field stop for defining an illumination region on said photosensitive substrate said first field stop having at least two linear edges which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sagittal direction in a visual field of said projection optical system and which are juxtaposed at a predetermined interval in the sagittal direction; and a second field stop, for defining an illumination region on said photosensitive substrate, said second field stop having at least two linear edges which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a meridional direction in a visual field of said projection optical system and which are juxtaposed to be separated at a predetermined interval in the meridional direction: and said first and second field stops being juxtaposed to be separated in an optical axis direction of said illumination system by a distance according to an astigmatism of said projection optical system caused by the light having the second wavelength, and said edges of said first and second field stops being focused on said photosensitive substrate through said projection optical system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A projection exposure apparatus for projecting a predetermined pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate, comprising; a projection optical system for forming an image of the pattern on said substrate under exposure light having a first wavelength; an illumination system for illuminating a mark on said photosensitive substrate with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength through said projection optical system so as to attain alignment; and said mark, said illumination system comprising; a light source for emitting the light having the second wavelength; a first field stop for defining an illumination region on said photosensitive substrate said first field stop having at least two linear edges which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sagittal direction in a visual field of said projection optical system and which are juxtaposed at a predetermined interval in the sagittal direction; and a second field stop, for defining an illumination region on said photosensitive substrate, said second field stop having at least two linear edges which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a meridional direction in a visual field of said projection optical system and which are juxtaposed to be separated at a predetermined interval in the meridional direction: and said first and second field stops being juxtaposed to be separated in an optical axis direction of said illumination system by a distance according to an astigmatism of said projection optical system caused by the light having the second wavelength, and said edges of said first and second field stops being focused on said photosensitive substrate through said projection optical system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second field stops are arranged between said substrate and said light source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second field stops are arranged between said detection system and said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second field stops are integrally formed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: first drive means for moving said first and second field stops along an optical axis of said projection optical system; and second drive means for two-dimensionally moving, or rotating said first and second field stops in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis direction of said projection optical system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
176 words
A position detection apparatus for detecting a mark on a substrate through a projection optical system, whose aberration is corrected under light having a predetermined first wavelength, comprising: an illumination system for illuminating the mark with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength through said projection optical system so as to attain position detection; and a detection system for detecting light from the mark, said illumination system comprising: a light source for emitting the light having the second wavelength; a first field stop, having at least two linear edges, for defining an illumination region on said substrate; a second field stop, having at least two linear edges which cross said at least two linear edges of said first field stop at a predetermined angle, for defining an illumination region on said substrate; and said first and second field stops being arranged to be separated in an optical axis direction of said illumination system by a distance according to an astigmatism of said projection optical system caused by the light having the second wavelength.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
176 words
A position detection apparatus for detecting a mark on a substrate through a projection optical system, whose aberration is corrected under light having a predetermined first wavelength, comprising: an illumination system for illuminating the mark with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength through said projection optical system so as to attain position detection; and a detection system for detecting light from the mark, said illumination system comprising: a light source for emitting the light having the second wavelength; a first field stop, having at least two linear edges, for defining an illumination region on said substrate; a second field stop, having at least two linear edges which cross said at least two linear edges of said first field stop at a predetermined angle, for defining an illumination region on said substrate; and said first and second field stops being arranged to be separated in an optical axis direction of said illumination system by a distance according to an astigmatism of said projection optical system caused by the light having the second wavelength.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said at least two linear edges of said first field stop extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sagittal direction in a visual field of said projection optical system, and are juxtaposed to be separated at a predetermined interval in the sagittal direction, and said at least two linear edges of said second field stop extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a meridional direction in a visual field of said projection optical system, and are juxtaposed to be separated at a predetermined interval in the meridional direction.
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) | 1996-02-02 | 1996-08-03 | 1997-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-02 | 2000-08-03 | 2001-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-02 | 2004-08-03 | 2005-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |