Abstract: A lithography system in which a performance criterion of the lithography system is predicted, based on one or more operating conditions of the lithography system, and compared to measurements of that performance criterion. The lithography system may determine from a difference between the measured and predicted performance criterion which, if any, sub-system of the lithography system is not performing as expected.

Abstract: A substrate carrier arranged to hold a substrate in position is disclosed. The substrate carrier has a transparent region that extends through the substrate carrier from a side of the substrate carrier on which the substrate is to be held to an opposite side of the substrate carrier, the transparent region being substantially transparent to a signal used to determine the position of an edge of the substrate on the substrate carrier.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a utility substrate storage configured to hold a utility substrate, and a utility substrate scheduling unit configured to schedule the loading of a utility substrate in a flow of substrates in the lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing wafers, a combined post expose bake and chill unit, and an interface are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a lithography tool, local track, transfer device, transfer device handler, interface unit, and controller to schedule processing. An exemplary combined post expose bake and chill unit includes an enclosure having an opening in its side, and a bake unit and a chill unit in the enclosure. An exemplary interface includes a plurality of enclosures arranged around robot(s) that transfer wafers among the enclosures, one of the plurality of enclosures being an integrated bake and chill unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device of inspecting contamination particles on an object comprising a patterned structure. The device includes a radiation system for directing a radiation beam to the object. The object is configured to scatter the beam. The device also includes an optical system arranged to receive scattered radiation from the object, and a filter provided in the optical system. The filter is associated with the patterned structure so as to filter out radiation from the scattered radiation. The device also includes a detector arranged to detect a fraction of radiation that is transmitted by the filter. Accordingly, contamination particles may be detected quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A lithography system in which a performance criterion of the lithography system is predicted, based on one or more operating conditions of the lithography system, and compared to measurements of that performance criterion. The lithography system may determine from a difference between the measured and predicted performance criterion which, if any, sub-system of the lithography system is not performing as expected.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus configured to transfer a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate includes an integrated post-exposure bake device, the post-exposure bake device configured to subject the substrate to a predefined temperature cycle. A post-exposure bake step of the substrate (a temperature cycle) is executed within a predetermined time period after the transfer of the pattern. The lithographic apparatus may be combined with a processing system having one or more processing modules. More efficient use may be made of the combination, allowing flexibility for a device manufacturing method.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. An applicator, such as a humidifier is provided to provide molecules, such as water molecules, to a clamp area of the patterning device.

Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a slip of a patterning device relative to a support, the support being constructed to support the patterning device, may be provided by: measuring a position of the support relative to a structure of the lithographic apparatus; measuring a position of the patterning device relative to the structure of the lithographic apparatus; determining a correlation between the position of the patterning device and the position of the support; and deriving from the correlation a slip of the patterning device relative to the support. The structure may include a projection system to project a radiation beam patterned by the patterning device onto a target portion of the substrate. The projection system may be connected to a frame, such as a metrology frame of the lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a slip of a patterning device relative to a support, the support constructed to support the patterning device, may be provided by measuring a position of the support relative to a first structure of the lithographic apparatus; measuring a position of the patterning device relative to a second structure of the lithographic apparatus; determining a correlation between the position of the patterning device and the position of the support from the measured position of the support, the measured position of the patterning device, and the mutual positions of the first and second structures; and deriving from the correlation a slip of the patterning device relative to the support. The structure may include a projection system to project a radiation beam patterned by the patterning device. The projection system may be connected to a frame, such as a metrology frame of the lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A lithography system in which a performance criterion of the lithography system is predicted, based on one or more operating conditions of the lithography system, and compared to measurements of that performance criterion. The lithography system may determine from a difference between the measured and predicted performance criterion which, if any, sub-system of the lithography system is not performing as expected.

Abstract: To enable differentiation between a particle and a ghost particle, a detector system is presented. The detector system is configured to output at least two detector signals corresponding to an intensity of radiation being incident on the detector system. If radiation is received from a ghost particle, not all of the at least two detector signals has a level above a predetermined threshold level, whereas radiation received from a contaminating particle results in all signals having a level above a threshold level. Thus, it may be determined with a high accuracy whether a particle or a ghost particle is redirecting radiation towards the detector system.

Abstract: A lithography system in which a performance criterion of the lithography system is predicted, based on one or more operating conditions of the lithography system, and compared to measurements of that performance criterion. The lithography system may determine from a difference between the measured and predicted performance criterion which, if any, sub-system of the lithography system is not performing as expected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device of inspecting contamination particles on an object comprising a patterned structure. The device includes a radiation system for directing a radiation beam to the object. The object is configured to scatter the beam. The device also includes an optical system arranged to receive scattered radiation from the object, and a filter provided in the optical system. The filter is associated with the patterned structure so as to filter out radiation from the scattered radiation. The device also includes a detector arranged to detect a fraction of radiation that is transmitted by the filter. Accordingly, contamination particles may be detected quickly and accurately.

Abstract: To enable differentiation between a particle and a ghost particle, a detector system resolves radiation from a ghost particle from radiation from an actual particle. The detector system outputs at least two detector signals corresponding to intensities of radiation being incident on different parts of the detector system or the detector system outputs at least two detector signals corresponding to intensities of radiation with different wavelengths being incident on the detector system. If radiation is received from a ghost particle, not each of the at least two detector signals has a level above a predetermined threshold level, whereas radiation received from a particle results in the signals having substantially a same level above a threshold level.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus has a patterning support holding a patterning device. At least one position sensor measures a position of the patterning device relative to the patterning support, and generates a measuring signal. A positioning device controls a position of the patterning support on the basis of the measuring signal input to the positioning device. In a corresponding device manufacturing method a patterning support is provided. A patterning device is held on the patterning support. The patterning support is moved along a line of movement. A position of the patterning device relative to the patterning support is measured, and a position of the patterning support is controlled on the basis of the measurement of the position of the patterning device relative to the patterning support. Thus, the controlling of the position of the patterning support compensates for a slip of the patterning device relative to the patterning support.

Abstract: A method of controlling a track apparatus in a lithocell apparatus arrangement, is presented herein. The lithocell includes a lithographic exposure apparatus configured to expose substrates and a track apparatus configured to prepare substrates before exposure and develop substrates after exposure. The method includes predicting times at which the lithographic exposure apparatus will be available to accept a prepared substrate for exposure from the track apparatus, and adjusting a rate at which the track apparatus prepares substrates so that a substrate is prepared in time for acceptance by the lithographic exposure apparatus.

Abstract: A method of planning tasks to be performed in a machine derives a precedence graph by linking subsidiary tasks to a sequence of key tasks to create a scheduling problem that can be solved by an automated scheduler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic projection assembly, having at least two load locks for transferring substrates between a first environment and a lower pressure second environment, a substrate handler with a handler chamber within the second environment and a lithographic projection apparatus including a projection chamber. The handler chamber and the projection chamber communicate via a load position for entering a substrate from the handler chanter into the projection chamber and an unload position for removing the substrate from the projection chamber into the handler chamber. The handler chamber also includes pre-processing means for pre-processing of the substrates and transport means for transferring substrates between the load locks and pre-processing means.

Abstract: A method of controlling a track apparatus in a lithocell apparatus arrangement, is presented herein. The lithocell includes a lithographic exposure apparatus configured to expose substrates and a track apparatus configured to prepare substrates before exposure and develop substrates after exposure. The method includes predicting times at which the lithographic exposure apparatus will be available to accept a prepared substrate for exposure from the track apparatus, and adjusting a rate at which the track apparatus prepares substrates so that a substrate is prepared in time for acceptance by the lithographic exposure apparatus.