Abstract: The present invention provides a testing substrate (W) for estimating stress in production substrates due to a substrate support, said testing substrate having a support surface (SS) divided into predefined portions, wherein the predefined portions comprise at least one first portion (1) having a first coefficient of friction being substantially uniform across the at least one first portion, and at least one second portion (2) having a second coefficient of friction being substantially uniform across the at least one second portion, wherein the second coefficient of friction is different to the first coefficient of friction. The present invention also provides a method for estimating stress in a substrate due to a substrate support and a system for making such an estimation.

Abstract: A support table for a lithographic apparatus, a method of loading a substrate, a lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device using a lithographic apparatus. In one arrangement, a support table is configured to support a substrate. The support table has a base surface. The base surface faces a surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support table. One or more gas cushion members are provided above the base surface. Each of the gas cushion members includes a recess. The recess is shaped and configured such that a lowering of the substrate into a position on the support table at which the substrate is supported by the support table causes a localised build-up of pressure within the recess. The localized build-up of pressure provides a localised gas cushioning effect during the lowering of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for unloading a substrate from a support table configured to support the substrate, the method including: supplying gas to a gap between a base surface of the support table and the substrate via a plurality of gas flow openings in the support table, wherein during an initial phase of unloading the gas is supplied through at least one gas flow opening in an outer region of the support table and not through any gas flow opening in a central region of the support table radially inward of the outer region, and during a subsequent phase of unloading the gas is supplied through at least one gas flow opening in the outer region and at least one gas flow opening in the central region.

Abstract: A method for unloading a substrate from a support table configured to support the substrate, the method including: supplying gas to a gap between a base surface of the support table and the substrate via a plurality of gas flow openings in the support table, wherein during an initial phase of unloading the gas is supplied through at least one gas flow opening in an outer region of the support table and not through any gas flow opening in a central region of the support table radially inward of the outer region, and during a subsequent phase of unloading the gas is supplied through at least one gas flow opening in the outer region and at least one gas flow opening in the central region.

Abstract: A substrate holder, for a lithographic apparatus, having a main body, a plurality of support elements to support a substrate and a seal unit. The seal unit may include a first seal positioned outward of and surrounding the plurality of support elements. A position of a substrate contact region of an upper surface of the first seal may be arranged at a distance from the plurality of support elements sufficient enough such that during the loading/unloading of the substrate, a force applied to the first seal by the substrate is greater than a force applied to the plurality of support elements by the substrate. A profile of the contact region, in a cross section through the seal, may have a shape which is configured such that during the loading/unloading of the substrate, the substrate contacts the seal via at least two different points of the profile.

Abstract: A substrate holder, for a lithographic apparatus, having a main body, a plurality of support elements to support a substrate and a seal unit. The seal unit may include a first seal positioned outward of and surrounding the plurality of support elements. A position of a substrate contact region of an upper surface of the first seal may be arranged at a distance from the plurality of support elements sufficient enough such that during the loading/unloading of the substrate, a force applied to the first seal by the substrate is greater than a force applied to the plurality of support elements by the substrate. A profile of the contact region, in a cross section through the seal, may have a shape which is configured such that during the loading/unloading of the substrate, the substrate contacts the seal via at least two different points of the profile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a testing substrate (W) for estimating stress in production substrates due to a substrate support, said testing substrate having a support surface (SS) divided into predefined portions, wherein the predefined portions comprise at least one first portion (1) having a first coefficient of friction being substantially uniform across the at least one first portion, and at least one second portion (2) having a second coefficient of friction being substantially uniform across the at least one second portion, wherein the second coefficient of friction is different to the first coefficient of friction. The present invention also provides a method for estimating stress in a substrate due to a substrate support and a system for making such an estimation.

Abstract: A method including: generating a first force to attract a substrate holder to a support surface, the holder including a body having opposing first and second body surfaces, first burls at the first body surface, wherein each first burl has a distal end to support a substrate, and second burls at the second body surface to support the substrate holder on the support surface through contact with distal ends of the second burls; generating a second force to attract the substrate to the substrate holder; and controlling the first force and/or second force in a release step to deform the body between the second burls such as to create a gap between the distal ends of a first subset of the plurality of first burls and the substrate and such that the substrate is supported on distal ends of a second subset of the plurality of first burls.

Abstract: A substrate table for an immersion system having a projection system arranged to project an image onto a substrate and a liquid confinement system configured to confine an immersion liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, the substrate table including: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; and a current control device arranged to reduce an electric current flowing between the substrate and the substrate holder while the immersion liquid is confined to the space.

Abstract: A support table for a lithographic apparatus, a method of loading a substrate, a lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device using a lithographic apparatus. In one arrangement, a support table is configured to support a substrate. The support table has a base surface. The base surface faces a surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support table. One or more gas cushion members are provided above the base surface. Each of the gas cushion members includes a recess. The recess is shaped and configured such that a lowering of the substrate into a position on the support table at which the substrate is supported by the support table causes a localised build-up of pressure within the recess. The localized build-up of pressure provides a localised gas cushioning effect during the lowering of the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate holder for use in a lithographic apparatus and configured to support a substrate, the substrate holder including a main body having a main body surface, a plurality of main burls projecting from the main body surface, wherein each main burl has a distal end surface configured to support the substrate, a first seal member projecting from the main body surface and having an upper surface, the first seal member surrounding the plurality of main burls and configured to restrict the passage of liquid between the substrate and the main body surface radially inward past the first seal member; and a plurality of minor burls projecting from the upper surface of the first seal member, wherein each minor burl has a distal end surface configured to support the substrate.

Abstract: A support table for a lithographic apparatus, a method of loading a substrate, a lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device using a lithographic apparatus. In one arrangement, a support table is configured to support a substrate. The support table has a base surface. The base surface faces a surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support table. One or more gas cushion members are provided above the base surface. Each of the gas cushion members includes a recess. The recess is shaped and configured such that a lowering of the substrate into a position on the support table at which the substrate is supported by the support table causes a localised build-up of pressure within the recess. The localized build-up of pressure provides a localised gas cushioning effect during the lowering of the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate holder, a method of manufacturing of the substrate holder and a lithographic apparatus having the substrate holder. In one arrangement, a substrate holder is for use in a lithographic apparatus. The substrate holder is configured to support a lower surface of a substrate. The substrate holder has a main body, a plurality of burls and a coating. The main body has a substrate-facing face. The plurality of burls protrudes from the substrate-facing face. Each burl has a distal end configured to engage with the substrate. The distal ends are configured for supporting the substrate. The coating is on the substrate-facing face between the burls. Between the burls the substrate-facing face has an arrangement of areas. Adjacent areas are separated by a step-change in distance below the support plane. Each step-change is greater than a thickness of the coating.

Abstract: A substrate, a substrate holder, a substrate coating apparatus, a method for coating the substrate and a method for removing the coating. A monomolecular layer is applied to the backside of the substrate or a clamp surface of the substrate holder. The friction force between the substrate backside and the substrate is small when the substrate does not experience full clamping force. After loading the substrate on the substrate holder full clamping force is exerted in order to fix the substrate. The clamping force causes local removal of the monomolecular layer, resulting in an increase of the friction force between the substrate and the substrate holder.

Abstract: A substrate holder, for a lithographic apparatus, having a main body, a plurality of support elements to support a substrate and a seal unit. The seal unit may include a first seal positioned outward of and surrounding the plurality of support elements. A position of a substrate contact region of an upper surface of the first seal may be arranged at a distance from the plurality of support elements sufficient enough such that during the loading/unloading of the substrate, a force applied to the first seal by the substrate is greater than a force applied to the plurality of support elements by the substrate. A profile of the contact region, in a cross section through the seal, may have a shape which is configured such that during the loading/unloading of the substrate, the substrate contacts the seal via at least two different points of the profile.

Abstract: A substrate table for an immersion system having a projection system arranged to project an image onto a substrate and a liquid confinement system configured to confine an immersion liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, the substrate table including: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; and a current control device arranged to reduce an electric current flowing between the substrate and the substrate holder while the immersion liquid is confined to the space.

Abstract: A substrate table for an immersion system having a projection system arranged to project an image onto a substrate and a liquid confinement system configured to confine an immersion liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, the substrate table including: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; and a current control device arranged to reduce an electric current flowing between the substrate and the substrate holder while the immersion liquid is confined to the space.

Abstract: A substrate holder for use in a lithographic apparatus and configured to support a substrate, the substrate holder including a main body having a main body surface, a plurality of main burls projecting from the main body surface, wherein each main burl has a distal end surface configured to support the substrate, a first seal member projecting from the main body surface and having an upper surface, the first seal member surrounding the plurality of main burls and configured to restrict the passage of liquid between the substrate and the main body surface radially inward past the first seal member; and a plurality of minor burls projecting from the upper surface of the first seal member, wherein each minor burl has a distal end surface configured to support the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate holder, a method of manufacturing of the substrate holder and a lithographic apparatus having the substrate holder. In one arrangement, a substrate holder is for use in a lithographic apparatus. The substrate holder is configured to support a lower surface of a substrate. The substrate holder has a main body, a plurality of burls and a coating. The main body has a substrate-facing face. The plurality of burls protrudes from the substrate-facing face. Each burl has a distal end configured to engage with the substrate. The distal ends are configured for supporting the substrate. The coating is on the substrate-facing face between the burls. Between the burls the substrate-facing face has an arrangement of areas. Adjacent areas are separated by a step-change in distance below the support plane. Each step-change is greater than a thickness of the coating.

Abstract: A substrate table for an immersion system having a projection system arranged to project an image onto a substrate and a liquid confinement system configured to confine an immersion liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, the substrate table including: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; and a current control device arranged to reduce an electric current flowing between the substrate and the substrate holder while the immersion liquid is confined to the space.