US5300971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Projection exposure apparatus
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1993-01-25
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Granted: 1994-04-05
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Expires: 2013-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A projection exposure apparatus is provided with a light source generating pulsed light, a rotary deflecting prism for deviating the light beam from the light source, fly's eye lenses for forming surface light sources in succession by thus deviated light beam, and a condenser lens for condensing the light from the fly's eye lens for illuminating the reticle. The pulsed light from the light source is alternately introduced into the fly's eye lenses by every pulse or by every plural number of pulses.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuji Kudo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70058; G03F7/70091; G03F7/70108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system for illuminating a mask bearing a predetermined pattern; and a projection optical system for forming the image of said pattern, illuminated by said illuminating optical system, onto a photosensitive substrate; wherein said illuminating optical system includes: light source means for generating pulsed light; surface light source forming means for forming a surface light source by the pulsed light from said light source means; a condensing optical system for condensing the light from said surface light source forming means thereby illuminating said mask; and deviation means positioned in an optical path between said light source means and said surface light source forming means and adapted to deviate the pulsed light from said light source means; wherein said deviation means is adapted to introduce said pulsed light, by every pulse or by every plural number of pulses, into plural positions of said surface light source forming means, deviated from the optical axis of said illuminating optical system; and wherein said surface light source forming means is adapted to form plural surface light sources which are substantially separated each other and are deviated from said optical axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system for illuminating a mask bearing a predetermined pattern; and a projection optical system for forming the image of said pattern, illuminated by said illuminating optical system, onto a photosensitive substrate; wherein said illuminating optical system includes: light source means for generating pulsed light; surface light source forming means for forming a surface light source by the pulsed light from said light source means; a condensing optical system for condensing the light from said surface light source forming means thereby illuminating said mask; and deviation means positioned in an optical path between said light source means and said surface light source forming means and adapted to deviate the pulsed light from said light source means; wherein said deviation means is adapted to introduce said pulsed light, by every pulse or by every plural number of pulses, into plural positions of said surface light source forming means, deviated from the optical axis of said illuminating optical system; and wherein said surface light source forming means is adapted to form plural surface light sources which are substantially separated each other and are deviated from said optical axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means; wherein said deviation means includes a deviating optical element for deviating the light, and drive means for driving said deviating optical element; and said control means is adapted to control said drive means in such a manner that said pulsed from said deviating optical element enters, by every pulse or by every plural number of pulses, plural positions of said surface light source forming means, deviated from said optical axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the light source means; wherein said deviation means includes a deviating optical element for deviating the light, and drive means for driving said deviating optical element; and said control means is adapted to control said light source means in such a manner that the pulsed light from said deviating optical element enters, by every pulse or by every plural number of pulses, plural positions of said surface light source forming means, deviated from said optical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface light source forming means includes plural lens elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface light source forming means includes a rod-shaped optical element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface light source forming means includes plural optical integrators provided in positions deviated from the optical axis of said illuminating optical system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising control means; wherein said deviation means includes a deviating optical element for deviating the light, and drive means for driving said deviating optical element; and said control means is adapted to control said drive means according to the cycle time of the pulsed light emitted by said light source means, in such a manner that the pulsed light from said deviating optical element enters said plural optical integrators in succession, for every pulse or every plural number of pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising control means for controlling said light source means; wherein said deviation means includes a deviating optical element for deviating the light, and drive means for driving said deviating optical element; and said control means is adapted to control the pulse emitting cycle of said light source means in such a manner that the light from said deflecting optical element enters said plural optical integrators in succession, for every pulse or for every plural number of pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said optical integrator includes plural lens elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said optical integrator includes a rod-shaped optical element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 7; wherein said deviating control element includes plural wedge-shaped optical elements; and said drive means is adapted to drive at least one of said plural wedge-shaped optical elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 7; wherein said deviating optical element includes plural reflecting faces; and said drive means is adapted to drive at least one of said plural reflecting faces.
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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) | 1997-04-04 | 1997-10-04 | 1998-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-04 | 2001-10-04 | 2002-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-04 | 2005-10-04 | 2006-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |