Projection exposure method and apparatus for improved image transfer from photomask having periodic and non-periodic patterns

Claim 2

A projection exposure method for projecting the image of a photomask bearing first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement onto a photosensitive substrate by means of a projection optical system thereby exposing said photosensitive substrate to said image, comprising steps of: illuminating said photomask so as to form, through said projection optical system, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 3

A projection exposure method for projecting the image of a photomask including a first pattern of periodic character and a second pattern of non-periodic character onto a photosensitive substrate by means of a projection optical system thereby exposing said photosensitive substrate to said image, comprising steps of: illuminating said photomask so as to form, through said projection optical system, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 4

A projection exposure method for projecting the image of a photomask including a first pattern of periodic character and a second pattern of non-periodic character onto a photosensitive substrate by means of a projection optical system thereby exposing said photosensitive substrate to said image, comprising steps of: illuminating said photomask so as to form, through said projection optical system, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 5

A projection exposure method for projecting the image of a photomask bearing first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement onto a photosensitive substrate by means of a projection optical system thereby exposing said photosensitive substrate to said image, comprising steps of: supplying a light beam for illuminating said photomask from an oblique direction; forming, through said projection optical system, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 6

A projection exposure method for projecting the image of a photomask bearing first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement onto a photosensitive substrate by means of a projection optical system thereby exposing said photosensitive substrate to said image, comprising steps of: supplying a light beam for illuminating said photomask from an oblique direction; forming, through said projection optical system, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 7

A projection exposure method according to claim 3, wherein provided is a projection optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said photomask, and said light beam illuminates said photomask from a direction which is oblique, by a predetermined angle, to the optical axis of said illuminating optical system.

Claim 8

A projection exposure method according to claim 3, wherein provided are a light source and a projection optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said photomask, and a light beam entering said photomask obliquely with a predetermined angle to said optical axis is selected from the light emitted from said light source.

Claim 9

A projection exposure method for projecting the image of a photomask including a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed, onto a photosensitive substrate by means of a projection optical system thereby exposing said photosensitive substrate to said image, comprising steps of: supplying a light beam for illuminating said photomask from an oblique direction; forming, through said projection optical system, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; forming, in each of plural measuring points predetermined in the projection field of said projection optical system, positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction; and matching an area, in which said second pattern area is projected, of the surface of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system, based on said positional information.

Claim 10

A projection exposure method for projecting the image of a photomask including a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed, onto a photosensitive substrate by means of a projection optical system thereby exposing said photosensitive substrate to said image, comprising steps of: supplying a light beam for illuminating said photomask from an oblique direction; forming, through said projection optical system, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; forming, in each of plural measuring points predetermined in the projection field of said projection optical system, positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction; and matching an area, in which said second pattern area is projected, of the surface of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system, based on said positional information.

Claim 11

A projection exposure method according to claim 6, wherein provided are a light source and an illuminating optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said photomask, and the light from said light source is converted to an incident light beam which is oblique, by a predetermined angle, to said optical axis.

Claim 12

A projection exposure method according to claim 7, wherein said illuminating optical system has an optical Fourrier transformation plane for said photomask, and there is provided means for limiting the light beam passing an area including the optical axis of said illuminating optical system on said optical Fourrier transformation plane.

Claim 13

A projection exposure method according to claim 6, wherein there is selected at least one of the plural positional information at said plural measuring points, and said photosensitive substrate is moved in the axial direction of said projection optical system, based on said selected positional information.

Claim 14

A projection exposure method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said plural measuring points is specified in advance, based on the design data relating to said photosensitive substrate.

Claim 15

A projection exposure method according to claim 9, wherein selected is the positional information from a measuring point measuring the surface of said photosensitive substrate, farthest from said projection optical system in the axial direction thereof.

Claim 16

A projection exposure method according to claim 6, further comprising steps of: measuring the inclination of the surface of said photosensitive substrate, with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to said optical axis, based on the positional information from said plural measuring points; and regulating the position of said photosensitive substrate according to said measurement.

Claim 17

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; illumination means for illuminating said mask so as to form simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 18

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; illumination means for illuminating said mask so as to form simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 19

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears a first periodic pattern and a second non-periodic pattern; illumination means for illuminating said mask so as to form simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 20

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears a first periodic pattern and a second non-periodic pattern; illumination means for illuminating said mask so as to form simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 21

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangements; illumination means for supplying a light beam for illuminating said mask from an oblique direction, thereby forming, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 22

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangements; illumination means for supplying a light beam for illuminating said mask from an oblique direction, thereby forming, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 23

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said illumination means includes an illuminating optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said mask, and said light beam enters said photomask obliquely by a predetermined angle to said optical axis.

Claim 24

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said illumination means includes a light source, an illuminating optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said mask, and means for extracting said light beam, from the light coming from said light source, said light beam entering said mask obliquely with a predetermined angle to said optical axis.

Claim 25

A projection exposure apparatus comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask includes a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed; illumination means for supplying a light beam for illuminating said mask from an oblique direction, thereby forming, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; detection means having measuring points at plural predetermined positions in the projection field of said projection optical system and adapted to form positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction at each of said plural measuring points; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern area is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system, based on said positional information.

Claim 26

A projection exposure apparatus comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask includes a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed; illumination means for supplying a light beam for illuminating said mask from an oblique direction, thereby forming, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; detection means having measuring points at plural predetermined positions in the projection field of said projection optical system and adapted to form positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction at each of said plural measuring points; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern area is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system, based on said positional information.

Claim 27

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said illumination means includes a light source, an illuminating optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said mask, and means for converting the light from said light source into an incident light beam which is oblique to the optical axis of said illuminating optical system.

Claim 28

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said illuminating optical system has an optical Fourier transformation plane for said mask, and said conversion means includes means for limiting the light beam passing an area including the optical axis of said illuminating optical system on said optical Fourier transformation plane.

Claim 29

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said matching means includes selection means for selecting at least one of plural positional information at said plural measuring points, and means for moving said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction of said projection optical system, based on the positional information selected by said selection means.

Claim 30

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said selection means includes means for specifying, in advance, at least one of said plural measuring points based on design data relating to said photosensitive substrate.

Claim 31

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said selection means is adapted to select the positional information from a measuring point for measuring the surface of said photosensitive substrate farthest from said projection optical system in the axial direction thereof.

Claim 32

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising: means for measuring the inclination of the surface of said photosensitive substrate, with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to said optical axis, based on the positional information from said plural measuring points; and means for regulating the position of said photosensitive substrate in response to said measuring means.

Claim 33

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second patterns to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 34

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second patterns to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 35

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said defining means includes a light shield member arranged at the Fourier transformation plane within said illumination optical system with respect to said first and second patterns or a position near thereto, said light shield member having at least a pair of apertures arranged at positions apart from said optical axis of said illumination optical system.

Claim 36

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said light shield member includes two apertures arranged as a symmetrical pair with respect to the optical axis of said illumination optical system.

Claim 37

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears a first periodic pattern and a second non-periodic pattern; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including spatial filter means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second patterns to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 38

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears a first periodic pattern and a second non-periodic pattern; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including spatial filter means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second patterns to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 39

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said matching means includes means for inputting positional information of said first and second patterns, and means for determining a measuring point on the surface of said photosensitive substrate with which the best focal plane of said projection optical system is matched, based on the positional information from said input means.

Claim 40

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising: means for inputting periodicity information representing a periodic structure of said first pattern; and means for modifying said light intensity distribution defined by said spatial filter means, based on the periodicity information.

Claim 41

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask includes a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including spatial filter means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second pattern areas to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; detection means having measuring points at plural predetermined positions in the projection field of said projection optical system and adapted to form positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction of said projection optical system at each of said plural measuring points; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern area is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system, based on said positional information.

Claim 42

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask includes a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including spatial filter means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second pattern areas to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; detection means having measuring points at plural predetermined positions in the projection field of said projection optical system and adapted to form positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction of said projection optical system at each of said plural measuring points; and means for matching a surface area, in which said second pattern area is projected, of said photosensitive substrate with the best focal plane of said projection optical system, based on said positional information.

Claim 43

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said matching means includes means for selecting positional information for at least one of said plural measuring points, and means for moving said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction of said projection optical system, based on the positional information selected by said selection means.

Claim 44

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said selection means includes means for specifying, in advance, at least one of said plural measuring points based on design data relating to said photosensitive substrate.

Claim 45

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said selection means is adapted to select the positional information from a measuring point for measuring the surface of said photosensitive substrate farthest from said projection optical system in the axial direction thereof.

Claim 46

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising: means for measuring the inclination of the surface of said photosensitive substrate with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to said optical axis, based on the positional information from said plural measuring points; and means for regulating the position of said photosensitive substrate in response to said measuring means.

Claim 47

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; illumination means for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 48

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; illumination means for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 49

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears a first periodic pattern and a second non-periodic pattern; illumination means for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 50

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears a first periodic pattern and a second non-periodic pattern; illumination means for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 51

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; illumination means for supplying a light beam for illuminating said mask from an oblique direction, thereby forming, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 52

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; illumination means for supplying a light beam for illuminating said mask from an oblique direction, thereby forming, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 53

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said illumination means includes an illuminating optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said mask, and said light beam enters said mask obliquely by a predetermined angle to said optical axis.

Claim 54

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said illumination means includes a light source, an illuminating optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said mask, and means for extracting said light beam from the light coming from said light source, said light beam entering said mask obliquely with a predetermined angle to said optical axis.

Claim 55

A projection exposure apparatus comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask includes a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed; illumination means for supplying a light beam for illuminating said mask from an oblique direction, thereby forming, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; detection means having measuring points at plural predetermined positions in the projection field of said projection optical system and adapted to form positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction at each of said plural measuring points; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern area and said second pattern area based on said positional information, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern area is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 56

A projection exposure apparatus comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask includes a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed; illumination means for supplying a light beam for illuminating said mask from an oblique direction, thereby forming, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; detection means having measuring points at plural predetermined positions in the projection field of said projection optical system and adapted to form positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction at each of said plural measuring points; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern area and said second pattern area based on said positional information, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern area is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 57

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said illumination means includes a light source, an illuminating optical system having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said mask, and means for converting the light from said light source into an incident light beam which is oblique to the optical axis of said illuminating optical system.

Claim 58

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said illuminating optical system has an optical Fourier transformation plane for said mask, and said conversion means includes means for limiting the light beam passing an area including the optical axis of said illuminating optical system on said optical Fourier transformation plane.

Claim 59

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said determining means includes selection means for selecting at least one of plural positional information at said plural measuring points, said apparatus further comprising means for moving said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction of said projection optical system, based on the positional information selected by said selection means.

Claim 60

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said selection means includes means for specifying, in advance, at least one of said plural measuring points based on design data relating to said photosensitive substrate.

Claim 61

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said selection means is adapted to select the positional information from a measuring point for measuring the surface of said photosensitive substrate farthest from said projection optical system in the axial direction thereof.

Claim 62

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising: means for measuring the inclination of the surface of said photosensitive substrate, with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to said optical axis, based on the positional information from said plural measuring points; and means for regulating the position of said photosensitive substrate in response to said measuring means.

Claim 63

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second patterns to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 64

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears first and second patterns arranged according to mutually different modes of arrangement; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second patterns to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 65

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said defining means includes a light shield member arranged at the Fourier transformation plane within said illumination optical system with respect to said first and second patterns or a position near thereto, said light shield member having at least a pair of apertures arranged at positions apart from said optical axis of said illumination optical system.

Claim 66

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said light shield member includes two apertures arranged as a symmetrical pair with respect to the optical axis of said illumination optical system.

Claim 67

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears a first periodic pattern and a second non-periodic pattern; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including spatial filter means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second patterns to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 68

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask bears a first periodic pattern and a second non-periodic pattern; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including spatial filter means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second patterns to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern and said second pattern, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 69

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said determining means includes means for inputting positional information of said first and second patterns, and means for determining a measuring point on the surface of said photosensitive substrate with which the best focal plane of said projection optical system is matched, based on the positional information from said input means.

Claim 70

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising: means for inputting periodicity information representing a periodic structure of said first pattern; and means for modifying said light intensity distribution defined by said spatial filter means, based on the periodicity information.

Claim 71

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask includes a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including spatial filter means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second pattern areas to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; detection means having measuring points at plural predetermined positions in the projection field of said projection optical system and adapted to form positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction of said projection optical system at each of said plural measuring points; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern area and said second pattern area based on said positional information, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern area is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 72

A projection exposure apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system provided between a mask and a photosensitive substrate, wherein said mask includes a first pattern area in which a periodic pattern is formed and a second pattern area in which a periodic pattern is not formed; an illumination optical system for illuminating said mask so as to form, simultaneously, a projected image of a first depth of focus corresponding to said first pattern area and a projected image of a second depth of focus corresponding to said second pattern area through said projection optical system, wherein said first depth of focus is larger than said second depth of focus; said illumination optical system including spatial filter means for defining separate limited areas in a Fourier transformation plane with respect to said first and second pattern areas to have a comparatively high light intensity distribution apart from an optical axis of said illumination optical system; detection means having measuring points at plural predetermined positions in the projection field of said projection optical system and adapted to form positional information representing the positional aberration of the surface of said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction of said projection optical system at each of said plural measuring points; and means for determining a best focus state with respect to both of said first pattern area and said second pattern area based on said positional information, said best focus state being a condition wherein a surface area of said photosensitive substrate in which the image corresponding to said second pattern area is projected is matched with the best focal plane of said projection optical system.

Claim 73

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said determining means includes selection means for selecting at least one of plural positional information at said plural measuring points, said apparatus further comprising means for moving said photosensitive substrate in the axial direction of said projection optical system, based on the positional information selected by said selection means.

Claim 74

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said selection means includes means for specifying, in advance, at least one of said plural measuring points based on design data relating to said photosensitive substrate.

Claim 75

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said selection means is adapted to select the positional information from a measuring point for measuring the surface of said photosensitive substrate farthest from said projection optical system in the axial direction thereof.

Claim 76

A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 56, further comprising: means for measuring the inclination of the surface of said photosensitive substrate with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to said optical axis, based on the positional information from said plural measuring points; and means for regulating the position of said photosensitive substrate in response to said measuring means.