Abstract: Isolated dark features, e.g. contact holes or lines, are exposed in a double exposure, using different illumination settings in the two exposures.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to provide a radiation beam; a patterning device configured to pattern the radiation beam to form a patterned radiation beam; and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a substrate. An optical assembly includes multiple optical elements two-dimensionally arranged between a radiation source and the patterning device to create a predetermined angular distribution of the radiation beam. In order to improve the uniformity of the radiation beam the optical elements are selected from a predetermined number of optical elements having different shapes and/or sizes.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus comprises an illumination system for providing a projection beam of radiation, a support structure for supporting patterning device, the patterning device serving to transmit or reflect radiation in the projection beam and impart the projection beam with a pattern in its cross-section, a substrate table for holding a substrate, and a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. A sensor is provided for measuring the spatial intensity distribution of the projection beam at the substrate. The spatial distribution of transmission or reflectance of the patterning device, together with the distribution of the projection beam incident on the patterning device, may be determined from the measured intensity distribution. By comparing the transmission or reflectance from regions having identical patterns the overall (macroscopic) distribution of the transmission or reflectance of the patterning device can be determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic apparatus comprising an illumination system for providing a projection beam of radiation. The illumination system comprises at least one movable optical element (7), such that a projection beam of radiation (4) can be shifted around a central position. This ensures that inhomogeneities in the intensity distribution in the projection beam (4) will be smeared out, which in turn provides an improved homogeneity of the exposure of a surface to be illuminated by the system, such as a wafer or other substrate. The optical element (7) may comprise a motor movable mirror, prism, filter, lens, axicon, diffuser, diffractive optical array, optical integrator, etc. The invention further provides a device manufacturing method, using a lithographic apparatus according to the invention, wherein the optical element is moved, in order to provide an optimum homogeneity for the projection beam of radiation.

Abstract: A method of generating complementary masks for use in a multiple-exposure lithographic imaging process.

Abstract: A radiation system includes a radiation generator to generate radiation, a source, and an illumination system configured to receive the radiation and provide a beam of radiation. The illumination system includes a beam measuring system configured measure at least one of position and tilt of the beam of radiation relative to the illumination system and a projecting device configured to redirect only a part of a cross section of the beam of radiation to the beam measuring system. The beam measuring system may include several position sensors, the readouts of which can be used to determine incorrect alignment of the radiation source with respect to the illumination system. Diaphragms are connected to the collector of the radiation generator, so that in addition to X, Y, and Z corrections, Rx, Ry and Rz corrections are possible.

Abstract: An optical attenuator device operates to remove a part of a beam of radiation having a higher than average intensity using at least one optical attenuator element. The device has application in a radiation system, and/or a lithographic apparatus, in particular a scanning lithographic apparatus, wherein the optical attenuator element(s) are provided in a central part of the beam, for example perpendicularly to a scanning direction.

Abstract: The method involves selecting features of a pattern to be imaged, notionally dividing the source into a plurality of source elements, for each source element, calculating the process window for each selected feature and then the OPC rules that optimize the overlap of the calculated process windows. Finally, those source elements are selected for which the overlapping of the process windows and the OPC rules satisfy specified criteria. The selected source elements define the source intensity distribution.

Abstract: A lithographic projection system has an illumination system. A plurality of directing elements direct different sub-beams of an incident beam into predetermined directions. By using re-directing optics any desired angular intensity distribution of the beam can be produced. The illumination system includes a setting device that includes a reflector plate that supports reflectors. The reflectors are resiliently supported on the reflector plate. At least one aperture in the reflector plate is associated with each reflector. A setting plate includes at least one pin associated with each reflector. The pins of the setting plate are insertable into the apertures of the reflector plate. Each pin or pins engages its associated reflector to control the orientation of the associated reflector by rotation about two axes substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the associated reflector.

Abstract: A reflective mask has a sub-resolution texture applied to absorbing areas to reduce the amount of power in the specular reflection. The texture may form a phase contrast grating or may be a diffuser. The same technique may be applied to the other absorbers in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A method of transferring a lithographic pattern onto a substrate by use of a lithographic apparatus. The method includes the steps of: (1) defining features to be printed on the substrate; (2) determining which of the features require assist features to be disposed adjacent thereto in order for the features to be printed within defined resolution limits; (3) generating a mask containing the features to be printed and the assist features; (4) performing a first illumination process so as to print the features on the substrate, the first illumination process resulting in the partial printing of the assist features on the substrate; and (5) performing a second illumination process so as to reduce the amount of the assist features printed on the substrate; the second illumination process entails the step of performing a quadrapole illumination.

Abstract: A method of generating complementary masks for use in a multiple-exposure lithographic imaging process.

Abstract: The method involves selecting features of a pattern to be imaged, notionally dividing the source into a plurality of source elements, for each source element, calculating the process window for each selected feature and then the OPC rules that optimize the overlap of the calculated process windows. Finally, those source elements are selected for which the overlapping of the process windows and the OPC rules satisfy specified criteria. The selected source elements define the source intensity distribution.

Abstract: A lithographic projection system has an illumination system. A plurality of directing elements direct different sub-beams of an incident beam into predetermined directions. By using re-directing optics any desired angular intensity distribution of the projection beam can be produced. The illumination system includes a setting device that includes a reflector plate that supports reflectors. The reflectors are resiliently supported on the reflector plate. At least one aperture in the reflector plate is associated with each reflector. A setting plate includes at least one pin associated with each reflector. The pins of the setting plate are insertable into the apertures of the reflector plate. Each pin or pins engages its associated reflector to control the orientation of the associated reflector by rotation about two axes substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the associated reflector.

Abstract: An illumination intensity adjustment device includes a plurality of blades disposed in the projection beam so as to cast half-shadows extending across the illumination field. The blades can be selectively rotated to increase their width perpendicular to the projection beam to control uniformity.

Abstract: A lithographic projection system has an illumination system. A plurality of directing elements reflect different sub-beams of an incident projection beam into adjustable, individually controllable directions. By using of re-directing optics any desired spatial intensity distribution of the projection beam can be produced in its cross-sectional plane.

Abstract: A method of operating a lithographic projection apparatus including forming a spot of radiation at the wafer level using a pinhole at reticle level. A sensor is defocused with respect to the spot such that it is spaced apart from the wafer level. The sensor is scanned beneath the spot to measure the angular intensity distribution of radiation at the spot and to determine the intensity distribution at the pupil plane of the projection lens system.

Abstract: A reflective mask has a sub-resolution texture applied to absorbing areas to reduce the amount of power in the specular reflection. The texture may form a phase contrast grating or may be a diffuser. The same technique may be applied to the other absorbers in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A method of transferring a lithographic pattern onto a substrate by use of a lithographic apparatus. The method includes the steps of: (1) defining features to be printed on the substrate; (2) determining which of the features require assist features to be disposed adjacent thereto in order for the features to be printed within defined resolution limits; (3) generating a mask containing the features to be printed and the assist features; (4) performing a first illumination process so as to print the features on the substrate, the first illumination process resulting in the partial printing of the assist features on the substrate; and (5) performing a second illumination process so as to reduce the amount of the assist features printed on the substrate; the second illumination process entails the step of performing a quadrapole illumination.

Abstract: A lithographic projection system has an optical element provided in the illumination system for changing an elliptically symmetric intensity anomaly of the projection beam in a pupil of the projection apparatus, the optical element being rotated about the optical axis of the projection apparatus such that the change in intensity anomaly introduced by it counteracts an elliptically symmetric intensity anomaly present in the projection beam or introduced by another optical element traversed by the projection beam.