US5633721A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface position detection apparatus
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1996-05-06
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Granted: 1997-05-27
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Expires: 2016-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A surface position detection apparatus for detecting a surface position on a surface to be detected, comprises a projection pattern formed on a first surface, a projection optical system for projecting the pattern from an oblique direction onto the surface to be detected, a condensing optical system for condensing a light beam reflected by the surface to be detected, and forming an image of the pattern on a second surface, and a detector for photoelectrically detecting the image of the pattern. The first surface and the surface to be detected are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of the projection optical system. The surface to be detected and the second surface are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of the condensing optical system.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Mizutani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:11
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F9/00; G03F9/70; G03F9/7003; G03F9/7023; G03F9/7026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A surface position detection apparatus for detecting a surface position of a surface to be detected and for improving the accuracy of position detection in a direction perpendicular to the surface, comprising: a projection pattern formed on a first surface; a projection optical system which projects a light beam from said first surface in an oblique direction onto said surface to be detected and forms an image of the pattern thereon; a condensing optical system which condenses a light beam reflected by said surface to be detected, and forms an image of the pattern on a second surface; and a detector system which receives a light beam emerging from said second surface and which photoelectrically detects the image of the pattern thereon, wherein said first surface and said surface to be detected are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said projection optical system, and said surface to be detected and said second surface are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; wherein said apparatus includes a deviation device, arranged on said second surface, which deviates the light beam emerging from said condensing optical system in a direction that reduces the angle of incidence of the emerging light beam on a light-receiving surface of the detector system, said deviation device including a wedge-shaped prism, said wedge-shaped prism being arranged so that an incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism is located on said second surface, and a relay optical system arranged between said second surface and said light-receiving surface of said detector system, which sets a conjugate relationship between said second surface and said light-receiving surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
A surface position detection apparatus for detecting a surface position of a surface to be detected and for improving the accuracy of position detection in a direction perpendicular to the surface, comprising: a projection pattern formed on a first surface; a projection optical system which projects a light beam from said first surface in an oblique direction onto said surface to be detected and forms an image of the pattern thereon; a condensing optical system which condenses a light beam reflected by said surface to be detected, and forms an image of the pattern on a second surface; and a detector system which receives a light beam emerging from said second surface and which photoelectrically detects the image of the pattern thereon, wherein said first surface and said surface to be detected are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said projection optical system, and said surface to be detected and said second surface are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; wherein said apparatus includes a deviation device, arranged on said second surface, which deviates the light beam emerging from said condensing optical system in a direction that reduces the angle of incidence of the emerging light beam on a light-receiving surface of the detector system, said deviation device including a wedge-shaped prism, said wedge-shaped prism being arranged so that an incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism is located on said second surface, and a relay optical system arranged between said second surface and said light-receiving surface of said detector system, which sets a conjugate relationship between said second surface and said light-receiving surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism and said light-receiving surface are arranged to satisfy the Scheimpflug condition in association with said relay optical system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wedge-shaped prism is arranged, so that a principal ray of a light beam emerging from said wedge-shaped prism is substantially parallel to a normal to an exit surface of said wedge-shaped prism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wedge-shaped prism is arranged to satisfy the following condition: ρ=tan.sup.-1 (tan ξ/n) where ξ is the refraction angle of said wedge-shaped prism, n is the refractive index of said wedge-shaped prism, and ρ is the angle formed between a principal ray of a light beam emerging from said relay optical system and a normal to said light-receiving surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said projection optical system, said condensing optical system, and said relay optical system is constituted as a both side telecentric optical system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detector system includes an image pick-up device having said light-receiving surface and which detects an image formed on said light-receiving surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes: a calculator which calculates a position of said surface to be detected based on an output signal from said detector system; and a drive device which moves said surface to be detected to a predetermined position based on an output signal from said calculator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a scanner which scans the image of the projection pattern relative to said light-receiving surface of said detector system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said apparatus includes a calculator, said scanner includes: a vibration mirror, arranged in an optical path between said surface to be detected and said light-receiving surface, to scan a beam; and a mirror drive device which outputs a signal to said detector system and outputs a drive signal to said vibration mirror, and said calculator calculates a position of said surface to be detected based on an output signal from said detector system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said apparatus includes a slit arranged on said second surface and having a plurality of opening portions allowing light from said condensing optical system to pass therethrough, and said detector has a plurality of detection regions corresponding in number to said opening portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said wedge-shaped prism is arranged, so that light emerges from said wedge-shaped prism in a direction substantially perpendicular to an exit-side surface of said wedge-shaped prism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said projection pattern is constituted by forming bright and dark fringes on said surface to be detected at a predetermined pitch, and said vibration mirror vibrates to scan the fringes in a pitch direction of the fringes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each of said opening portions is arranged to satisfy the following condition: W≦P/2 where P is the pitch of the images of the fringes on said slit, and W is the width, in the pitch direction of said opening portion of said slit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said vibration mirror is driven to satisfy the following condition: A≦P/2 where P is the pitch of the images of the fringes on said slit, and A is the amplitude of the images of the fringes, which vibrate on said slit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
220 words
A surface position detection apparatus for detecting a surface position of a surface to be detected, comprising the following parts arranged along an optical path in the order recited: a projection pattern; a projection optical system; a condensing optical system; a wedge-shaped prism; a relay optical system; and a detector system; wherein said projection optical system has a first optical axis extending to said surface to be detected in an oblique direction with respect to said surface to be detected; said condensing optical system has a second optical axis extending from said surface to be detected in an oblique direction with respect to said surface to be detected; said projection pattern and said surface to be detected satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principle plane of said projection optical system; said surface to be detected and an incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; the incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism and a light-receiving surface of said detector system are conjugate with respect to said relay optical system; and light from said projection pattern reaches said light-receiving surface of said detector system via said projection optical system, said surface to be detected, said condensing optical system, said wedge-shaped prism and said relay optical system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
220 words
A surface position detection apparatus for detecting a surface position of a surface to be detected, comprising the following parts arranged along an optical path in the order recited: a projection pattern; a projection optical system; a condensing optical system; a wedge-shaped prism; a relay optical system; and a detector system; wherein said projection optical system has a first optical axis extending to said surface to be detected in an oblique direction with respect to said surface to be detected; said condensing optical system has a second optical axis extending from said surface to be detected in an oblique direction with respect to said surface to be detected; said projection pattern and said surface to be detected satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principle plane of said projection optical system; said surface to be detected and an incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; the incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism and a light-receiving surface of said detector system are conjugate with respect to said relay optical system; and light from said projection pattern reaches said light-receiving surface of said detector system via said projection optical system, said surface to be detected, said condensing optical system, said wedge-shaped prism and said relay optical system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said wedge-shaped prism is arranged, so that a principal ray of a light beam emerging from said wedge-shaped prism is substantially parallel to a normal to an exit surface of said wedge-shaped prism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said wedge-shaped prism is arranged to satisfy the following condition: ρ=tan.sup.-1 (tan ξ/n) where ξ is the refraction angle of said wedge-shaped prism, n is the refractive index of said wedge-shaped prism, and ρ is the angle formed between a principal ray of a light beam emerging from said relay optical system and a normal to said light-receiving surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of said projection optical system, said condensing optical system, and said relay optical system is constituted as a both side telecentric optical system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said wedge-shaped prism is arranged, so that light emerges from said wedge-shaped prism in a direction substantially perpendicular to an exit-side surface of said wedge-shaped prism.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said apparatus includes: a calculator which calculates a position of said surface to be detected based on an output signal from said detector system; and a driving device which moves said surface to be detected to a predetermined position based on an output signal from said calculator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
195 words
An exposure apparatus which projects an image of a reticle onto a wafer, comprising the following elements which are arranged along an optical path in the following order: a projection pattern; a projection optical system; a condensing optical system; a wedge-shaped prism; a relay optical system; and a detector system; wherein, said projection optical system has a first optical axis which is inclined with respect to said wafer; said condensing optical system has a second optical axis which is inclined with respect to said wafer; said projection pattern and said wafer are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said projection optical system; said wafer and an incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; said incident surface of the wedge-shaped prism and a light receiving surface of said detector system are conjugate with respect to said relay optical system; and light from said projection pattern reaches said light-receiving surface of the detector system via said projection optical system, said wafer, said condensing optical system, said wedge-shaped prism and said relay optical system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
195 words
An exposure apparatus which projects an image of a reticle onto a wafer, comprising the following elements which are arranged along an optical path in the following order: a projection pattern; a projection optical system; a condensing optical system; a wedge-shaped prism; a relay optical system; and a detector system; wherein, said projection optical system has a first optical axis which is inclined with respect to said wafer; said condensing optical system has a second optical axis which is inclined with respect to said wafer; said projection pattern and said wafer are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said projection optical system; said wafer and an incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; said incident surface of the wedge-shaped prism and a light receiving surface of said detector system are conjugate with respect to said relay optical system; and light from said projection pattern reaches said light-receiving surface of the detector system via said projection optical system, said wafer, said condensing optical system, said wedge-shaped prism and said relay optical system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a slit having a plurality of openings is disposed on the incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein: said projection pattern comprises bright and dark fringes having a predetermined pitch; a vibration mirror is disposed on said optical path between said wafer and said incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism; and the vibration mirror is vibrated in such a way that an image of said fringes scanningly moves on said wedge-shaped prism in a pitch direction of said fringes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said condensing optical system is a both side telecentric optical system.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for detecting a position of a surface to be detected, comprising: illuminating a projection pattern; forming an image of the illuminated projection pattern on said surface through a projection optical system having a first optical axis which is inclined with respect to said surface to be detected; re-forming said image on an incident surface of a wedge-shaped prism, through a condensing optical system having a second optical axis which is inclined with respect to said surface to be detected; refracting light from the re-formed image through said wedge-shaped prism; guiding refracted light from said wedge-shaped prism to a relay optical system; guiding light through said relay optical system to a light-receiving surface of a detector system; and again re-forming said image on the light-receiving surface of said detector system; wherein said projection pattern and said surface to be detected are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said projection optical system; said surface to be detected and said incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; and said incident surface of the wedge-shaped prism and the light-receiving surface of said detector system are conjugate with respect to said relay optical system.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for detecting a position of a surface to be detected, comprising: illuminating a projection pattern; forming an image of the illuminated projection pattern on said surface through a projection optical system having a first optical axis which is inclined with respect to said surface to be detected; re-forming said image on an incident surface of a wedge-shaped prism, through a condensing optical system having a second optical axis which is inclined with respect to said surface to be detected; refracting light from the re-formed image through said wedge-shaped prism; guiding refracted light from said wedge-shaped prism to a relay optical system; guiding light through said relay optical system to a light-receiving surface of a detector system; and again re-forming said image on the light-receiving surface of said detector system; wherein said projection pattern and said surface to be detected are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said projection optical system; said surface to be detected and said incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; and said incident surface of the wedge-shaped prism and the light-receiving surface of said detector system are conjugate with respect to said relay optical system.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for transferring an image of reticle onto a wafer placed on a wafer stage, comprising: illuminating a projection pattern; forming an image of said illuminated projection pattern on a surface of said wafer through a projection optical system having a first optical axis which is inclined with respect to said wafer surface; re-forming said image on an incident surface of a wedge-shaped prism through a condensing optical system having a second optical axis which is inclined with respect to said wafer surface; refracting light from the re-formed image through said wedge-shaped prism; guiding refracted light from said wedge-shaped prism to a relay optical system; guiding light through said relay optical system to a light-receiving surface of a detector system; again re-forming said image on the light-receiving surface of said detector system; calculating a difference between said wafer surface and a predetermined reference surface; driving said wafer stage based on a result of the calculating; and illuminating the reticle so as to form an image of the reticle on the wafer; wherein said projection pattern and said wafer are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said projection optical system; said wafer and said incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; and said incident surface of the wedge-shaped prism and the light-receiving surface of said detector system are conjugate with respect to said relay optical system.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for transferring an image of reticle onto a wafer placed on a wafer stage, comprising: illuminating a projection pattern; forming an image of said illuminated projection pattern on a surface of said wafer through a projection optical system having a first optical axis which is inclined with respect to said wafer surface; re-forming said image on an incident surface of a wedge-shaped prism through a condensing optical system having a second optical axis which is inclined with respect to said wafer surface; refracting light from the re-formed image through said wedge-shaped prism; guiding refracted light from said wedge-shaped prism to a relay optical system; guiding light through said relay optical system to a light-receiving surface of a detector system; again re-forming said image on the light-receiving surface of said detector system; calculating a difference between said wafer surface and a predetermined reference surface; driving said wafer stage based on a result of the calculating; and illuminating the reticle so as to form an image of the reticle on the wafer; wherein said projection pattern and said wafer are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said projection optical system; said wafer and said incident surface of said wedge-shaped prism are arranged to satisfy a Scheimpflug condition in association with a principal plane of said condensing optical system; and said incident surface of the wedge-shaped prism and the light-receiving surface of said detector system are conjugate with respect to said relay optical system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-26 | 2000-11-25 | 2001-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-11-25 | 2005-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-26 | 2008-11-25 | 2009-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |