US5591958A — Scanning exposure method and apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 168 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with continuous light from a light source; a first light amount adjusting device which controls power supply to said light source and changes an amount of said continuous light; a second light amount adjusting device which is disposed in an optical path of said continuous light and whose light reducing ratio with respect to said continuous light is variable; a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and a controller which controls said first and second light amount adjusting devices based on a sensitivity characteristic of said photosensitive substrate, a scan speed of said photosensitive substrate and a width of an exposure area in the scan direction of said photosensitive substrate conjugate with an illumination area on the mask with respect to said projection optical system, thereby adjusting the amount of said continuous light.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 168 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with continuous light from a light source; a first light amount adjusting device which controls power supply to said light source and changes an amount of said continuous light; a second light amount adjusting device which is disposed in an optical path of said continuous light and whose light reducing ratio with respect to said continuous light is variable; a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and a controller which controls said first and second light amount adjusting devices based on a sensitivity characteristic of said photosensitive substrate, a scan speed of said photosensitive substrate and a width of an exposure area in the scan direction of said photosensitive substrate conjugate with an illumination area on the mask with respect to said projection optical system, thereby adjusting the amount of said continuous light.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 95 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with illumination light; a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting device for changing at least one of a scan speed of said mask and said photosensitive substrate and a width of an exposure area in the scan direction of said photosensitive substrate conjugate with an illumination area on said mask with respect to said projection optical system.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 95 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with illumination light; a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting device for changing at least one of a scan speed of said mask and said photosensitive substrate and a width of an exposure area in the scan direction of said photosensitive substrate conjugate with an illumination area on said mask with respect to said projection optical system.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 41 words

An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said adjusting device includes a field stop for defining an illumination area on said mask and adjusts a width of an opening of the field stop to change the width of said exposure area.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 70 words

An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said scan system has a mask stage for moving said mask relative to said illumination area and a substrate stage for moving said photosensitive substrate relative to said exposure area; and said adjusting device changes the width of said exposure area so that a moving speed of said mask stage or said substrate stage may be maintained substantially at an upper limit value.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 106 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with illumination light; a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; a detection system for detecting an intensity of said illumination light and an adjusting device which changes at least one of a scanning speed of said mask and said photosensitive substrate and a width of an exposure area in a scan direction of said photosensitive substrate conjugate with an illumination area on said mask with respect to said projection optical system.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 106 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with illumination light; a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; a detection system for detecting an intensity of said illumination light and an adjusting device which changes at least one of a scanning speed of said mask and said photosensitive substrate and a width of an exposure area in a scan direction of said photosensitive substrate conjugate with an illumination area on said mask with respect to said projection optical system.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 41 words

An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said adjusting device includes a field stop for defining the illumination area on said mask and adjusts a width of an opening of the field stop to change the width of said exposure area.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 70 words

An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said scan system has a mask stage for moving said mask relative to said illumination area and a substrate stage for moving said photosensitive substrate relative to said exposure area; and said adjusting device changes the width of said exposure area so that a moving speed of said mask stage or said substrate stage may be maintained substantially at an upper limit value.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 97 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with illumination light generated from a light source, after having passed through an opening of a field stop; a light detector for detecting an intensity of said illumination light; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting device which adjusts a width of an opening of said field stop based on an output from said light detector, so that a width of an illumination area on said mask in a scan direction of said mask may be changed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 97 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with illumination light generated from a light source, after having passed through an opening of a field stop; a light detector for detecting an intensity of said illumination light; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting device which adjusts a width of an opening of said field stop based on an output from said light detector, so that a width of an illumination area on said mask in a scan direction of said mask may be changed.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 133 words

A scan exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system which illuminates a mask with light from a secondary light source and is able to change an intensity distribution of the secondary light source; a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting device which, in accordance with change in the intensity distribution of said secondary light source, changes at least one of scan speed of said mask and said photosensitive substrate, an intensity of light incident on said photosensitive substrate and a width of an exposure area in a scan direction of said photosensitive substrate conjugate with an illumination area on said mask with respect to said projection optical system.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 133 words

A scan exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system which illuminates a mask with light from a secondary light source and is able to change an intensity distribution of the secondary light source; a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting device which, in accordance with change in the intensity distribution of said secondary light source, changes at least one of scan speed of said mask and said photosensitive substrate, an intensity of light incident on said photosensitive substrate and a width of an exposure area in a scan direction of said photosensitive substrate conjugate with an illumination area on said mask with respect to said projection optical system.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said illumination system includes a movable member for holding a plurality of stop members for forming said secondary light source, the plurality of stop members being different from each other in shape and size.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 41 words

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said adjusting device includes a field stop for defining an illumination area on said mask and adjusts a width of an opening of the field stop to change the width of said exposure area.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 69 words

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said scan system has a mask stage for moving said mask relative to said illumination area and a substrate stage for moving said photosensitive substrate relative to said exposure area; said adjusting device changes a width of said exposure area so that a moving speed of said mask stage or said substrate stage may be maintained substantially at an upper limit value.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 47 words

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said adjusting device includes a light source control device for changing a light emission intensity of a light source of said illumination system and changes an intensity of light incident on said photosensitive substrate by adjusting said light emission intensity.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 82 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with illumination light; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and a photosensitive substrate; a detection system for detecting an amount of deformation of said mask based on an intensity of illumination light passing through said mask; and a speed adjusting device which adjusts a ratio between a scan speed of said mask and a scan speed of said photosensitive substrate, in accordance with the amount of deformation detected.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 82 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with illumination light; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and a photosensitive substrate; a detection system for detecting an amount of deformation of said mask based on an intensity of illumination light passing through said mask; and a speed adjusting device which adjusts a ratio between a scan speed of said mask and a scan speed of said photosensitive substrate, in accordance with the amount of deformation detected.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 42 words

An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said detection system includes a photoconductive detector which receives illumination light passing through said mask and a calculator for calculating the amount of deformation of said mask based on an output from said photoelectric detector.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 51 words

An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising: a projection optical system for projecting an image of a pattern on said mask onto said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting system for adjusting an imaging state of a pattern image projected by said projection optical system, based on the detected deformation amount.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 71 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and a substrate; and an adjusting device which, in accordance with change in scan speed of said mask or said substrate, changes at least one of an intensity of light incident on said substrate from said mask and a width of the incident light in a scan direction of said substrate.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 71 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and a substrate; and an adjusting device which, in accordance with change in scan speed of said mask or said substrate, changes at least one of an intensity of light incident on said substrate from said mask and a width of the incident light in a scan direction of said substrate.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 71 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and a substrate; and an adjusting device which changes at least one of scan speed of said mask and said substrate and an intensity of light incident on said substrate from said mask, in accordance with change in a width of the incident light in a scan direction of said substrate.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 71 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and a substrate; and an adjusting device which changes at least one of scan speed of said mask and said substrate and an intensity of light incident on said substrate from said mask, in accordance with change in a width of the incident light in a scan direction of said substrate.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 80 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with light from one of plural stops; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and a substrate; and an adjusting device which, in accordance with change of said stops, changes at least one of scan speed of said mask and said substrate, an intensity of light incident on said substrate from said mask and a width of the incident light in a scan direction of said substrate.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 80 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with light from one of plural stops; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and a substrate; and an adjusting device which, in accordance with change of said stops, changes at least one of scan speed of said mask and said substrate, an intensity of light incident on said substrate from said mask and a width of the incident light in a scan direction of said substrate.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 149 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with a light beam; a projection system for projecting an image of a pattern on the illuminated mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting device which adjusts at least one of scan speed V W of said photosensitive substrate, an intensity Q of said light beam and a width L W of said light beam in a scan direction on said photosensitive substrate to satisfy the following conditions: P·V.sub.W =L.sub.W ·Q, and L.sub.W ·Q/(β·P)≦V.sub.Rmax when V.sub.Rmax <V.sub.Wmax /β, and L.sub.W ·Q/P≦V.sub.Wmax when V.sub.Rmax ≧V.sub.Wmax /β, where V Rmax and V Wmax denote, respectively, a maximum speed of said mask and a maximum speed of said photosensitive substrate, β denotes a magnification of said projection system; and P denotes a sensitivity of said photosensitive substrate.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 149 words

A scanning exposure apparatus comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a mask with a light beam; a projection system for projecting an image of a pattern on the illuminated mask onto a photosensitive substrate; a scan system for scanning synchronously said mask and said photosensitive substrate; and an adjusting device which adjusts at least one of scan speed V W of said photosensitive substrate, an intensity Q of said light beam and a width L W of said light beam in a scan direction on said photosensitive substrate to satisfy the following conditions: P·V.sub.W =L.sub.W ·Q, and L.sub.W ·Q/(β·P)≦V.sub.Rmax when V.sub.Rmax <V.sub.Wmax /β, and L.sub.W ·Q/P≦V.sub.Wmax when V.sub.Rmax ≧V.sub.Wmax /β, where V Rmax and V Wmax denote, respectively, a maximum speed of said mask and a maximum speed of said photosensitive substrate, β denotes a magnification of said projection system; and P denotes a sensitivity of said photosensitive substrate.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 75 words

A scanning exposure method comprising: illuminating a mask with light from a light source of which an intensity distribution is changed; synchronously scanning said mask and a substrate; and adjusting at least one of scan speed of said mask and said substrate, an intensity of light incident on said substrate from said mask and a width of the incident light in a scan direction of said substrate, in response to change in said intensity distribution.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 75 words

A scanning exposure method comprising: illuminating a mask with light from a light source of which an intensity distribution is changed; synchronously scanning said mask and a substrate; and adjusting at least one of scan speed of said mask and said substrate, an intensity of light incident on said substrate from said mask and a width of the incident light in a scan direction of said substrate, in response to change in said intensity distribution.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 56 words

A scanning exposure method comprising: providing a characteristic regarding transformation of a mask which is illuminated with light; and adjusting a ratio between a scan speed of the mask and a scan speed of a substrate illuminated by light from said mask, in accordance with said provided characteristic, to scan synchronously the mask and the substrate.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 56 words

A scanning exposure method comprising: providing a characteristic regarding transformation of a mask which is illuminated with light; and adjusting a ratio between a scan speed of the mask and a scan speed of a substrate illuminated by light from said mask, in accordance with said provided characteristic, to scan synchronously the mask and the substrate.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-01-07	2000-07-08	2001-01-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-01-07	2004-07-08	2005-01-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-01-07	2008-07-08	2009-01-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Scanning exposure method and apparatus

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