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US5530518A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Projection exposure apparatus

Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1994-12-07
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Granted: 1996-06-25
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Expires: 2014-12-07
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Abstract

Abstract A projection exposure apparatus includes illuminating optical means for illuminating a projection negative, and projection optical means for projection-exposing the projection negative illuminated by the illuminating optical means onto a substrate, the illuminating optical means including light source means for supplying exposure light, annular light source forming means for forming an annular secondary light source by the light from the light source means, and condenser means for condensing the light beam from the annular light source forming means on the projection negative, and is designed to satisfy the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3, where d 1 is the inner diameter of the annular secondary light source, and d 2 is the outer diameter of the annular secondary light source.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kazuo Ushida
  • 👤 Masaomi Kameyama

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 06:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70058; G03F7/70216; G03F7/70241

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim 168 words
A projection exposure apparatus including: illuminating optical means for illuminating a projection negative; and projection optical means for projection-exposing said projection negative illuminated by said illuminating optical means onto a substrate; said illuminating optical means including light source means for supplying exposure light, annular light source forming means for forming an annular secondary light source, which has a plurality of light source images, by the light from said light source means, and condenser means for condensing light from said annular light source forming means on said projection negative; said apparatus satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3, where d 1 is the inner diameter of said annular secondary light source, and d 2 is the outer diameter of said annular secondary light source; said apparatus also satisfying the following condition: 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8, where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical means, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said illuminating optical means determined by the outer diameter of said annular secondary light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 168 words
A projection exposure apparatus including: illuminating optical means for illuminating a projection negative; and projection optical means for projection-exposing said projection negative illuminated by said illuminating optical means onto a substrate; said illuminating optical means including light source means for supplying exposure light, annular light source forming means for forming an annular secondary light source, which has a plurality of light source images, by the light from said light source means, and condenser means for condensing light from said annular light source forming means on said projection negative; said apparatus satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3, where d 1 is the inner diameter of said annular secondary light source, and d 2 is the outer diameter of said annular secondary light source; said apparatus also satisfying the following condition: 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8, where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical means, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said illuminating optical means determined by the outer diameter of said annular secondary light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 40 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said annular light source forming means includes: an optical integrator; and stop means disposed in the optical path of light emerging from said optical integrator and having an annular opening portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said optical integrator is comprised of a plurality of lens elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said optical integrator includes a bar-like optical element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 61 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said stop means has a plurality of opening portions differing in the ratio of the inner diameter of said annular opening portion to the outer diameter of said annular opening portion from one another, and one of said plurality of opening portions of said stop means is disposed in said optical path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said stop means includes a circular opening portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 54 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 5, further including: driving means for disposing one of said plurality of opening portions in said optical path; input means for inputting information regarding various conditions during exposure; and control means for controlling said driving means on the basis of the input information from said input means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said input means includes detecting means for detecting a mark on said projection negative on which the information regarding the various conditions during exposure is recorded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 75 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said projection optical means includes an aperture stop of which the diameter of the opening is variable, and said projection exposure apparatus further includes: driving means for varying said diameter of the opening of said aperture stop; input means for inputting information regarding various conditions during exposure; and control means for controlling said driving means on the basis of the input information from said input means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said annular light source forming means includes light guide means for transmitting said exposure light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 42 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said light guide means is constructed such that the entrance side cross-sectional shape of said light guide means is circular and the exit side cross-sectional shape of said light guide means is annular.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 197 words
A projection exposure apparatus including: illumination optical means for illuminating a projection negative; and projection optical means for projection-exposing said projection negative illuminated by said illumination optical means onto a substrate; said illumination optical means including light source means for supplying exposure light, means for forming a secondary light source, which has a plurality of light source images, by the light from said light source means, means including annular ratio changing means for converting said secondary light source into an annular secondary light source and changing a ratio between an inner diameter and outer diameter of said annular secondary light source, and condenser means for condensing light from said annular secondary light source onto said projection negative, said apparatus satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3 where d 1 is the inner diameter of said annular secondary light source, and d 2 is the outer diameter of said annular secondary light source, and said apparatus satisfying the following condition: 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8 where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical means, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said illumination optical means determined by the outer diameter of said annular secondary light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 197 words
A projection exposure apparatus including: illumination optical means for illuminating a projection negative; and projection optical means for projection-exposing said projection negative illuminated by said illumination optical means onto a substrate; said illumination optical means including light source means for supplying exposure light, means for forming a secondary light source, which has a plurality of light source images, by the light from said light source means, means including annular ratio changing means for converting said secondary light source into an annular secondary light source and changing a ratio between an inner diameter and outer diameter of said annular secondary light source, and condenser means for condensing light from said annular secondary light source onto said projection negative, said apparatus satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3 where d 1 is the inner diameter of said annular secondary light source, and d 2 is the outer diameter of said annular secondary light source, and said apparatus satisfying the following condition: 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8 where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical means, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said illumination optical means determined by the outer diameter of said annular secondary light source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said means for forming said secondary light source has an optical integrator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 36 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said annular ratio changing means includes stop means disposed in an optical path of light flux emergent from said optical integrator and having an annular opening portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 64 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said stop means includes a plurality of opening portions differing from one another in a ratio of inner diameter of said annular opening portion to outer diameter of said annular opening portion, and one of said plurality of opening portions of said stop means is disposed in the optical path of said illumination optical means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 17 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said stop means includes a circular opening portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 54 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 15, further including: driving means for disposing one of said plurality of opening portions in said optical path; input means for inputting information regarding various conditions during exposure; and control means for controlling said driving means on the basis of the input information from said input means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 41 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 12, further including: input means for inputting information regarding various conditions during exposure; and control means for controlling said annular ratio changing means on the basis of the input information from said input means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 56 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said annular ratio changing means includes a plurality of opening portions of which a ratio between an inner diameter and an outer diameter is different from one another, and one of said plurality of opening portions is disposed in an optical path of said illumination optical means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 41 words
A projection exposure apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said annular ratio changing means is disposed in an optical path of said illumination optical means and includes a movable stop for changing the ratio between the inner diameter and outer diameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 155 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system; and a projection optical system; said illumination optical system including a light source, an optical integrator and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system, and onto a substrate; said optical integrator forming a plurality of annular light source images; and the following conditions being satisfied: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8 where d 1 is an inner diameter of said plurality of annular light source images, d 2 is an outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images, NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by the outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 155 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system; and a projection optical system; said illumination optical system including a light source, an optical integrator and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system, and onto a substrate; said optical integrator forming a plurality of annular light source images; and the following conditions being satisfied: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8 where d 1 is an inner diameter of said plurality of annular light source images, d 2 is an outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images, NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by the outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 164 words
A projection exposure apparatus including: an illumination optical system; and a projection optical system; said illumination optical system including a light source, an optical integrator, an annular stop and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system and onto a substrate; said annular stop being provided at a position where a plurality of images are formed by said illumination optical system; said apparatus satisfying the following conditions: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8 where d 1 is an inner diameter of an opening of said annular stop, d 2 is an outer diameter of the opening of said annular stop, NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by the outer diameter of the opening of said annular stop.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 164 words
A projection exposure apparatus including: an illumination optical system; and a projection optical system; said illumination optical system including a light source, an optical integrator, an annular stop and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system and onto a substrate; said annular stop being provided at a position where a plurality of images are formed by said illumination optical system; said apparatus satisfying the following conditions: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8 where d 1 is an inner diameter of an opening of said annular stop, d 2 is an outer diameter of the opening of said annular stop, NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by the outer diameter of the opening of said annular stop.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 117 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system; and a projection optical system; said illuminating optical system including a light source, an optical integrator, an annular stop and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system and onto a substrate; said illuminating optical system forming a plurality of annular light source images satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3 where d 1 is an inner diameter of said plurality of annular light source images and d 2 is an outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images; and said projection exposure apparatus satisfying the following condition:
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 117 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system; and a projection optical system; said illuminating optical system including a light source, an optical integrator, an annular stop and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system and onto a substrate; said illuminating optical system forming a plurality of annular light source images satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3 where d 1 is an inner diameter of said plurality of annular light source images and d 2 is an outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images; and said projection exposure apparatus satisfying the following condition:
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 52 words
45≦NA 2 /NA 1 ≦0.8, where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by an outer diameter of an opening of said annular stop.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 52 words
45≦NA 2 /NA 1 ≦0.8, where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by an outer diameter of an opening of said annular stop.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 136 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system; and a projection optical system; said illuminating optical system including a light source, an optical integrator and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system and onto a substrate; said illuminating optical system forming a plurality of annular light source images satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3, where d 1 is an inner diameter of said plurality of annular light source images, d 2 is an outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images; the ratio between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of said annular light source images being variable within the range of said condition; said projection exposure apparatus satisfying the following condition:
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 136 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system; and a projection optical system; said illuminating optical system including a light source, an optical integrator and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system and onto a substrate; said illuminating optical system forming a plurality of annular light source images satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3, where d 1 is an inner diameter of said plurality of annular light source images, d 2 is an outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images; the ratio between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of said annular light source images being variable within the range of said condition; said projection exposure apparatus satisfying the following condition:
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 53 words
45≦NA 2 /NA 1 ≦0.8, where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by the outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 53 words
45≦NA 2 /NA 1 ≦0.8, where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by the outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 191 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system; and a projection optical system; said illuminating optical system including a light source, an optical integrator, a first annular stop, a second annular stop and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system and onto a substrate; said first and second annular stops satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3, where d 1 is an inner diameter of an opening of said annular stops and d 2 is an outer diameter of an opening of said annular stops; said first and second annular stops being selectively disposed in a position where a plurality of light source images are formed by said illuminating optical system; and said projection exposure apparatus satisfying the following condition: 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8, where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by the outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 191 words
A projection exposure apparatus comprising: an illuminating optical system; and a projection optical system; said illuminating optical system including a light source, an optical integrator, a first annular stop, a second annular stop and a condenser optical system; light from said light source passing through said optical integrator, said condenser optical system, a projection negative and said projection optical system and onto a substrate; said first and second annular stops satisfying the following condition: 1/3≦d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 ≦2/3, where d 1 is an inner diameter of an opening of said annular stops and d 2 is an outer diameter of an opening of said annular stops; said first and second annular stops being selectively disposed in a position where a plurality of light source images are formed by said illuminating optical system; and said projection exposure apparatus satisfying the following condition: 0.45≦NA.sub.2 /NA.sub.1 ≦0.8, where NA 1 is the numerical aperture of said projection optical system at a side of said projection negative, and NA 2 is the numerical aperture of said condenser optical system at an exit side determined by the outer diameter of said plurality of annular light source images.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-06-25 1999-12-25 2000-06-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-06-25 2003-12-25 2004-06-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-06-25 2007-12-25 2008-06-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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