Abstract: A device for directing radiation to a layer (1) is described. The device includes a first optical element (L1) for focusing a first radiation beam (B1) originating from a first radiation source (S1) onto said layer, a second optical element (L2) for focusing a second radiation beam (B2) originating from a second radiation source (S2) onto said layer. The wavelengths of the radiation from said first and said second radiation source are different from each other. The first and second optical element are jointly movable with respect to said radiation sources, wherein the focal points of the two radiation beams at least substantially coincide with various movements of the first optical element and the second optical element with respect to the radiation sources. The second optical element (L2) has an aperture (A2) which allows optically undisturbed passage of the first radiation beam (B1). In this way a compact and light configuration of L1 and L2 is achieved as well as an improved radiation beam quality.

Abstract: For irradiating a layer a radiation beam is directed and focussed to a spot on the layer, relative movement of the layer relative to the optical element is caused so that, successively, different portions of the layer are irradiated and an interspace between a surface of the optical element nearest to the layer is maintained. Furthermore, at least a portion of the interspace through which the radiation irradiates the spot on the layer is maintained filled with a liquid, the liquid being supplied via a supply conduit and flowing out of an outflow opening through a total projected cross-sectional passage area in a plane parallel to the layer. The outflow opening or a plurality of the outflow openings are positioned such that, seen in a direction perpendicular to the layer, the total cross-sectional area has a centre in the portion of the interspace through which the radiation irradiates the spot.

Abstract: An imprinting method is disclosed which involves irradiating a photo-curable imprintable medium in a flowable state on a substrate with radiation to initiate curing of the medium, after the irradiating, contacting the medium with a template to form an imprint in the medium, allowing the medium to substantially cure such that the medium is in a substantially non-flowable state while the medium is contacted by the template, and separating the template from the medium while the medium is in the substantially non-flowable state.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for writing data marks representing a sequence of channel bit values to an optical disc or a master disc along either one or more concentric or spiral data tracks or along at least one concentric or spiral metatrack consisting of two or more parallel concentric or spiral sub-tracks.

Abstract: An off-axis alignment system in a lithographic projection apparatus uses broadband radiation to illuminate a phase grating on the wafer. The broadband radiation source may include fluorescent materials, e.g. Yag:Ce or ND:Yag crystals illuminated by excitation light.

Abstract: In a method of measuring, in a lithographic manufacturing process using a lithographic projection apparatus, overlay between a resist layer, in which a mask pattern is to be imaged, and a substrate, use is made of an alignment-measuring device forming part of the apparatus and of specific overlay marks in the substrate and resist layer. These marks have periodic structures with periods which cannot be resolved by the alignment device, but generate an interference pattern having a period corresponding to the period of a reference mark of the alignment device.

Abstract: For determining the alignment of a substrate with respect to a mask, a substrate alignment mark, having a periodic structure, and an additional alignment mark, having a periodic structure and provided in a resist layer on top of the substrate, are used. Upon illumination of these two marks, having a period which is considerably smaller than that of a reference mark, an interference pattern is generated, which has a period corresponding to that of the reference mark. By measuring the movement of the interference pattern with respect to the refernce mark, the much smaller mutual movement of the fine alignment marks can be measured. In this way, the resolution and accuracy of a conventional alignment device can be increased considerably.

Abstract: For determining the alignment of a substrate with respect to a mask, a substrate alignment mark having a periodic structure, and an additional alignment mark, having a periodic structure and provided in a resist layer (RL) on top of the substrate, are used. Upon illumination of these two marks, having a period which is considerably smaller than that of a reference mark, an interference pattern (Pb) is generated, which has a period corresponding to that of the reference mark. By measuring the movement of the interference pattern with respect to the reference mark, the much smaller mutual movement of the fine alignment marks can be measured. In this way, the resolution and accuracy of a conventional alignment device can be increased considerably.

Abstract: In a method of measuring, in a lithographic manufacturing process using a lithographic projection apparatus, overlay between a resist layer, in which a mask pattern is to be imaged, and a substrate, use is made of an alignment-measuring device forming part of the apparatus and of specific overlay marks in the substrate and resist layer. These marks have periodic structures with periods which cannot be resolved by the alignment device, but generate an interference pattern having a period corresponding to the period of a reference mark of the alignment device.

Abstract: An off-axis alignment system in a lithographic projection apparatus uses broadband radiation to illuminate a phase grating on the wafer. The broadband radiation source may include fluorescent materials, e.g. Yag:Ce or ND:Yag crystals illuminated by excitation light.

Abstract: An off-axis alignment system in a lithographic projection apparatus uses broadband radiation to illuminate a phase grating on the wafer. The broadband radiation source may include fluorescent materials, e.g. Yag:Ce or ND:Yag crystals illuminated by excitation light.

Abstract: For determining the alignment of a substrate (W) with respect to a mask (MA), a substrate alignment mark (P10), having a periodic structure, and an additional alignment mark (P11), having a periodic structure and provided in a resist layer (RL) on top of the substrate, are used. Upon illumination of these two marks, having a period (PE10; PE11) which is considerably smaller than that of a reference mark (M1; M2), an interference pattern (Pb) is generated, which has a period (PEb) corresponding to that of the reference mark. By measuring the movement of the interference pattern with respect to the reference mark, the much smaller mutual movement of the fine alignment marks can be measured. In this way, the resolution and accuracy of a conventional alignment device can be increased considerably.

Abstract: In a method of measuring, in a lithographic manufacturing process using a lithographic projection apparatus, overlay between a resist layer (RL), in which a mask pattern (C) is to be imaged, and a substrate (W), use is made of an alignment-measuring device (AS1, AS2) forming part of the apparatus and of specific overlay marks (P10, P11) in the substrate and resist layer. These marks have periodic structures with periods (PE10, PE11) which cannot be resolved by the alignment device, but generate an interference pattern (Pb) having a period (PEb) corresponding to the period of a reference mark (M1; M2) of the alignment device.