US5850279A — Alignment method, projection exposure method, and…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 301 words

An exposure method for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate through a projection optical system, comprising: a first step of radiating a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system on a fiducial mark area including a fiducial mark installed at the same position as that of the photosensitive substrate in a direction of an optical axis of the projection optical system, and detecting optical information from the fiducial mark area to obtain a position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic; a second step of radiating a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic different from the first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the fiducial mark area, and detecting optical information from the fiducial mark area to obtain a position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; a third step of determining a positional discrepancy of the fiducial mark caused by imaging errors of the projection optical system resulted from the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection in the first and second steps; a fourth step of radiating the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto a substrate mark area including an alignment mark on the photosensitive substrate, and detecting optical information from the substrate mark area to obtain a position of the photosensitive substrate under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; and a fifth step of correcting a positional discrepancy of the photosensitive substrate on the basis of a result of the detection in the fourth step and a result of the third step.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 301 words

An exposure method for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate through a projection optical system, comprising: a first step of radiating a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system on a fiducial mark area including a fiducial mark installed at the same position as that of the photosensitive substrate in a direction of an optical axis of the projection optical system, and detecting optical information from the fiducial mark area to obtain a position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic; a second step of radiating a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic different from the first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the fiducial mark area, and detecting optical information from the fiducial mark area to obtain a position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; a third step of determining a positional discrepancy of the fiducial mark caused by imaging errors of the projection optical system resulted from the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection in the first and second steps; a fourth step of radiating the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto a substrate mark area including an alignment mark on the photosensitive substrate, and detecting optical information from the substrate mark area to obtain a position of the photosensitive substrate under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; and a fifth step of correcting a positional discrepancy of the photosensitive substrate on the basis of a result of the detection in the fourth step and a result of the third step.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

The exposure method according to claim 1, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic is a light beam having a wavelength with which the photosensitive substrate is exposed.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

The exposure method according to claim 1, wherein the fiducial mark area including the fiducial mark is formed on a fiducial plate installed on a substrate stage on which the photosensitive substrate is placed.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

The projection exposure method according to claim 1, wherein the method is a scanning type projection exposure method for producing substrates for liquid crystal devices.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 254 words

An exposure method for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate through a projection optical system, comprising: a first step of radiating a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic onto a first fiducial member formed on a mask holder for holding the mask thereon, radiating the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto a second fiducial member installed at the same position as that of the photosensitive substrate in the direction of the optical axis of the projection optical system and corresponding to the first fiducial member, and detecting optical information from the first and second fiducial members to obtain a positional relationship between the first and second fiducial members under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic; a second step of radiating a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic different from the first wavelength characteristic onto the first fiducial member, radiating the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the second fiducial member, and detecting optical information from the first and second fiducial members to obtain a positional relationship between the first and second fiducial members under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; a third step of determining a difference between the positional relationships caused by the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection in the first and second steps.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 254 words

An exposure method for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate through a projection optical system, comprising: a first step of radiating a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic onto a first fiducial member formed on a mask holder for holding the mask thereon, radiating the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto a second fiducial member installed at the same position as that of the photosensitive substrate in the direction of the optical axis of the projection optical system and corresponding to the first fiducial member, and detecting optical information from the first and second fiducial members to obtain a positional relationship between the first and second fiducial members under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic; a second step of radiating a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic different from the first wavelength characteristic onto the first fiducial member, radiating the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the second fiducial member, and detecting optical information from the first and second fiducial members to obtain a positional relationship between the first and second fiducial members under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; a third step of determining a difference between the positional relationships caused by the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection in the first and second steps.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

The exposure method according to claim 5, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic is a light beam having a wavelength with which the photosensitive substrate is exposed.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The exposure method according to claim 5, wherein the second fiducial member is formed on a substrate stage on which the photosensitive substrate is placed.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 255 words

A projection exposure apparatus for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate, comprising: a projection optical system, disposed between the mask and the photosensitive substrate, that projects an image of a pattern of the mask onto the photosensitive substrate; a mask stage for placing the mask thereon; a photosensitive substrate stage, provided with a fiducial plate, for placing the photosensitive substrate thereon; a first energy source that radiates a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic and a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic different from the first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto a first mark area including a fiducial mark formed on the fiducial plate; a first detector that detects optical information from the first mark area to obtain a position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic; a second detector that detects optical information from the first mark area to obtain a position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; and a calculator that calculates a positional discrepancy of the fiducial mark caused by imaging errors of the projection optical system resulted from the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection by the first and second detectors; whereby positional alignment for the photosensitive substrate is performed prior to actual exposure on the basis of the positional discrepancy calculated by the calculator.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 255 words

A projection exposure apparatus for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate, comprising: a projection optical system, disposed between the mask and the photosensitive substrate, that projects an image of a pattern of the mask onto the photosensitive substrate; a mask stage for placing the mask thereon; a photosensitive substrate stage, provided with a fiducial plate, for placing the photosensitive substrate thereon; a first energy source that radiates a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic and a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic different from the first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto a first mark area including a fiducial mark formed on the fiducial plate; a first detector that detects optical information from the first mark area to obtain a position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic; a second detector that detects optical information from the first mark area to obtain a position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; and a calculator that calculates a positional discrepancy of the fiducial mark caused by imaging errors of the projection optical system resulted from the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection by the first and second detectors; whereby positional alignment for the photosensitive substrate is performed prior to actual exposure on the basis of the positional discrepancy calculated by the calculator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 48 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first and second detectors are a single detector which is capable of detecting the position of the fiducial mark under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 81 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first energy source comprises a light source, and a wavelength selector that selectively transmits a light beam from the light source depending on its wavelength characteristic, selectively radiates the light beam having one of the first and second wavelength characteristic onto the mask stage or the mask, and selectively radiates the light beam having one of the first and second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the substrate stage.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 44 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is a scanning type projection exposure apparatus which provides a synchronized movement of the mask with the photosensitive substrate to expose the image of the pattern of the mask onto the photosensitive substrate.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 51 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is a step-and-scan type projection exposure apparatus that successively exposes the photosensitive substrate with the mask pattern by scanning the mask and the photosensitive substrate in synchronization with respect to an illumination area comparted in a form of a slit.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 21 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of the first and second wavelength is a wavelength for exposure.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 278 words

A projection exposure apparatus for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate, comprising: a projection optical system, disposed between the mask and the photosensitive substrate, that projects an image of a pattern of the mask onto the photosensitive substrate; a mask stage, provided with a first fiducial member, for placing the mask thereon; a photosensitive substrate stage, provided with a second fiducial member, for placing the photosensitive substrate thereon; a first energy source that radiates a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic onto a first fiducial member, and radiates the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the second fiducial member; a first detector that detects optical information from the first and second fiducial members to obtain a correlative positional discrepancy between the first and second fiducial members under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic; a second energy source that radiates a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic different from the first wavelength characteristic onto the first fiducial member, and radiates the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the second fiducial member; a second detector that detects optical information from the first and second fiducial members to obtain a correlative positional discrepancy between the first and second fiducial members under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; and a calculator that calculates a difference between the positional discrepancies caused by the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection by the first and second detectors.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 278 words

A projection exposure apparatus for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate, comprising: a projection optical system, disposed between the mask and the photosensitive substrate, that projects an image of a pattern of the mask onto the photosensitive substrate; a mask stage, provided with a first fiducial member, for placing the mask thereon; a photosensitive substrate stage, provided with a second fiducial member, for placing the photosensitive substrate thereon; a first energy source that radiates a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic onto a first fiducial member, and radiates the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the second fiducial member; a first detector that detects optical information from the first and second fiducial members to obtain a correlative positional discrepancy between the first and second fiducial members under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic; a second energy source that radiates a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic different from the first wavelength characteristic onto the first fiducial member, and radiates the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the second fiducial member; a second detector that detects optical information from the first and second fiducial members to obtain a correlative positional discrepancy between the first and second fiducial members under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic; and a calculator that calculates a difference between the positional discrepancies caused by the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection by the first and second detectors.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 47 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first and second detectors are a single detector which is capable of detecting positions of the fiducial members under the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and under the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 84 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claims 14, wherein the first and second energy sources are a single device comprising a light source, and a wavelength selector that selectively transmits a light beam from the light source depending on its wavelength characteristic, selectively radiates the light beam having one of the first and second wavelength characteristic onto the mask stage, and selectively radiates the light beam having one of the first and second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the substrate stage.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 44 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus is a scanning type projection exposure apparatus which provides a synchronized movement of the mask with the photosensitive substrate to expose the image of the pattern of the mask onto the photosensitive substrate.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 51 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus is a step-and-scan type projection exposure apparatus that successively exposes the photosensitive substrate with the mask pattern by scanning the mask and the photosensitive substrate in synchronization with respect to an illumination area comparted in a form of a slit.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 26 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein one of the first and second energy sources radiates a light beam having a wavelength for exposure.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 37 words

The exposure method according to claim 5, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic are illuminated onto an identical mark formed on the first fiducial member.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 37 words

The exposure method according to claim 5, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic are illuminated onto an identical mark formed on the second fiducial member.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 32 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the projection optical system has a plurality of projection optical units arranged in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the synchronized movement.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 30 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first energy source illuminates through two projection optical units each disposed at a respective end of the projection optical system.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 37 words

The exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic are illuminated onto an identical mark formed on the first fiducial member.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 37 words

The exposure apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic are illuminated onto an identical mark formed on the second fiducial member.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 32 words

The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first and second energy sources illuminate through two projection optical units each disposed at a respective end of the projection optical system.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 183 words

A method for making an exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate with a pattern formed on a mask, comprising: providing a projection optical system between the mask and the substrate, the projection optical system projecting an image of the pattern of the mask onto the substrate; providing a mask stage which holds the mask thereon; providing a substrate stage which holds the substrate thereon and comprises a first fiducial mark; providing an energy source that radiates a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic and a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the first fiducial mark; providing a detector that detects optical information from the first fiducial mark to obtain positions thereof by using the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic, respectively; and providing a calculator that calculates a positional discrepancy caused by the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection by the detector.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 183 words

A method for making an exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate with a pattern formed on a mask, comprising: providing a projection optical system between the mask and the substrate, the projection optical system projecting an image of the pattern of the mask onto the substrate; providing a mask stage which holds the mask thereon; providing a substrate stage which holds the substrate thereon and comprises a first fiducial mark; providing an energy source that radiates a light beam having a first wavelength characteristic and a light beam having a second wavelength characteristic through the projection optical system onto the first fiducial mark; providing a detector that detects optical information from the first fiducial mark to obtain positions thereof by using the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic, respectively; and providing a calculator that calculates a positional discrepancy caused by the difference in wavelength between the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic on the basis of results of the detection by the detector.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method according to claim 27, wherein the energy source illuminates a mask-fiducial mark formed on the mask stage.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method according to claim 27, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength characteristic and the light beam having the second wavelength characteristic are illuminated onto an identical fiducial mark formed on the substrate stage.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-12-14	2002-06-15	2002-12-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-12-14	2006-06-15	2006-12-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-12-14	2010-06-15	2010-12-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Alignment method, projection exposure method, and projection exposure apparatus

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