Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a liquid confined in a reservoir between the projection system and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and/or removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection may be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal may be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and/or phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a liquid confined in a reservoir between the projection system and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and/or removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection may be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal may be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and/or phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a liquid confined in a reservoir between the projection system and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and/or removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection may be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal may be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and/or phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a liquid confined in a reservoir between the projection system and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and/or removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection may be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal may be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and/or phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a liquid confined in a reservoir between the projection system and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and/or removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection may be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal may be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and/or phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a liquid confined in a reservoir between the projection system and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and/or removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection may be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal may be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and/or phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a liquid confined in a reservoir between the projection system and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and/or removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection may be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal may be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and/or phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a liquid confined in a reservoir between the projection system and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and/or removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection may be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal may be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and/or phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for evacuating samples. A sample 4 is hereby placed in a cavity 3 of a sheet 1 with a smooth surface 2. A sole plate 5 Is placed upon this smooth surface 2, whereby the smooth surface 2 and the sole plate 5 placed thereupon together form a vacuum seal. The sole plate 5, upon which a vacuum column 6 is mounted, can be slid across the smooth surface 2. By sliding the sole plate 5 over the cavity 4, the cavity 4 is evacuated in several steps. In an embodiment of the invention, the vacuum column 6 takes the form of an ESEM (Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope). In this way, it is possible to inspect the evacuated sample 4 with the ESEM.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes conduits which supply utilities to components in a vacuum chamber such as object tables and/or associated motors and/or sensors. The conduits are shielded from exposure to the vacuum by conduit conducts having at least the same number of degrees of freedom as their associated object table.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a high refractive index liquid confined in a reservoir 13 at least partly filling the imaging field between the final element of the projection lens and the substrate. Bubbles forming in the liquid from dissolved atmospheric gases or from out-gassing from apparatus elements exposed to the liquid are detected and removed so that they do not interfere with exposure and lead to printing defects on the substrate. Detection can be carried out by measuring the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid and bubble removal can be implemented by degassing and pressurizing the liquid, isolating the liquid from the atmosphere, using liquids of low surface tension, providing a continuous flow of liquid through the imaging field, and phase shifting ultrasonic standing-wave node patterns.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support structure constructed to support a patterning structure. The patterning structure is adapted to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a substrate holder that is constructed to hold a substrate, a projection system that is constructed and arranged to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a downstream radical source that is connected to a gas supply and is configured to provide a beam of radicals onto a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: The invention describes a particle-optical apparatus arranged to focus a beam (1) of electrically charged particles with the aid of two particle-optical lens systems (10, 20). The lens action is achieved by magnetic fields, which fields are generated by permanent-magnetic materials (13, 23). In contrast to magnetic lenses equipped with a coil, it is not easy in the case of lenses equipped with permanent-magnetic material to alter the focusing magnetic field with the aim of altering the optical power. In an apparatus according to the invention, the optical power of the lens systems is altered by altering the energy with which the beam (1) traverses the lens systems (10, 20). This can easily happen by altering the voltage of electrical power supplies (14, 24).

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes conduits which supply utilities to components in a vacuum chamber such as object tables and/or associated motors and/or sensors. The conduits are shielded from exposure to the vacuum by conduit conducts having at least the same number of degrees of freedom as their associated object table.

Abstract: The invention describes a particle-optical apparatus arranged to focus a beam (1) of electrically charged particles with the aid of two particle-optical lens systems (10, 20). The lens action is achieved by magnetic fields, which fields are generated by permanent-magnetic materials (13, 23). In contrast to magnetic lenses equipped with a coil, it is not easy in the case of lenses equipped with permanent-magnetic material to alter the focusing magnetic field with the aim of altering the optical power. In an apparatus according to the invention, the optical power of the lens systems is altered by altering the energy with which the beam (1) traverses the lens systems (10, 20). This can easily happen by altering the voltage of electrical power supplies (14, 24).

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus including at least one temperature control member that at least partly surrounds at least one component selected from a group comprising mask and substrate tables, the projection system and an isolated reference frame for controlling the temperature of the surrounded components. The surface finish of the member is chosen to help keep the components which it partly surrounds isothermal during operation.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes conduits which supply utilities to components in a vacuum chamber such as object tables and/or associated motors and/or sensors. The conduits are shielded from exposure to the vacuum by conduit conducts having at least the same number of degrees of freedom as their associated object table.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support structure constructed to support a patterning structure. The patterning structure is adapted to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a substrate holder that is constructed to hold a substrate, a projection system that is constructed and arranged to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a downstream radical source that is connected to a gas supply and is configured to provide a beam of radicals onto a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus including at least one temperature control member that at least partly surrounds at least one component selected from a group comprising mask and substrate tables, the projection system and an isolated reference frame for controlling the temperature of the surrounded components. The surface finish of the member is chosen to help keep the components which it partly surrounds isothermal during operation.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes conduits which supply utilities to components in a vacuum chamber such as object tables and/or associated motors and/or sensors. The conduits are shielded from exposure to the vacuum by conduit conducts having at least the same number of degrees of freedom as their associated object table.