Abstract: An exposure apparatus including: a substrate holder constructed to support a substrate; a patterning device configured to provide radiation modulated according to a desired pattern, the patterning device including a plurality of two-dimensional arrays of radiation sources, each radiation source configured to emit a radiation beam; a projection system configured to project the modulated radiation onto the substrate, the projection system including a plurality of optical elements arranged side by side and arranged such that a two-dimensional array of radiation beams from a two-dimensional array of radiation sources impinges a single optical element of the plurality of optical elements; and an actuator configured to provide relative motion between the substrate and the plurality of two-dimensional arrays of radiation sources in a scanning direction to expose the substrate.

Abstract: A method of characterizing distortions in a lithographic process, and associated apparatuses. The method includes obtaining measurement data corresponding to a plurality of measurement locations on a substrate, the measurement data comprising measurements performed on a plurality of substrates, and comprising one or more measurements performed on one or more of the substrates for each of the measurement locations. For each of the measurement locations, a first quality value representing a quality metric and a noise value representing a noise metric is determined from the measurements performed at that measurement location. A plurality of distortion parameters is determined, each distortion parameter configured to characterize a systematic distortion in the quality metric and a statistical significance of the distortion parameters from the first quality value and from the noise value is determined. Systematic distortion is parameterized from the distortion parameters determined to be statistically significant.

Abstract: A control device configured to determine a primary first drive signal, based on a first error signal representing a difference between desired and measured positions of a first body, for driving a positioner driving the first body; determine a primary second drive signal, based on a second error signal representing a difference between desired and measured positions of a second body, for driving a positioner driving the second body; determine, based on the second error signal, a secondary first drive signal for driving the first body positioner; determine, based on the first error signal, a secondary second drive signal for driving the second body positioner; combine the primary and secondary first drive signals and combine the primary and secondary second drive signals; and output the combined first and second drive signals to the respective positioning devices.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed which includes a cleaning station. Several embodiments of the cleaning station are disclosed. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid contact of a cleaning fluid with the final element of the projection system. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid foaming of the cleaning fluid. The use of a thermally isolated island is also disclosed as well as its optimal position.

Abstract: A method of correcting an optical image formed by an optical system, the method including obtaining a map indicative of a polarization dependent property of the optical system across a pupil plane of the optical system for each spatial position in an image plane of the optical system, combining the map indicative of the polarization dependent property of the optical system with a radiation map of the intensity and polarization of an input radiation beam to form an image map, and using the image map to correct an optical image formed by directing the input radiation beam through the optical system.

Abstract: A method including: for a metrology target, having a first biased target structure and a second differently biased target structure, created using a patterning process, obtaining metrology data including signal data for the first target structure versus signal data for the second target structure, the metrology data being obtained for a plurality of different metrology recipes and each metrology recipe specifying a different parameter of measurement; determining a statistic, fitted curve or fitted function through the metrology data for the plurality of different metrology recipes as a reference; and identifying at least two different metrology recipes that have a variation of the collective metrology data of the at least two different metrology recipes from a parameter of the reference that crosses or meets a certain threshold.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus having a fluid handling structure, the fluid handling structure configured to confine immersion fluid to a region and including: a meniscus controlling feature having an extractor exit on a surface of the fluid handling structure; and a gas knife system outwards of the extractor exit and including passages each having an exit, the passages having a plurality of first passages having a plurality of corresponding first exits on the surface, and a plurality of second passages having a plurality of corresponding second exits outwards of the first exits on the surface, wherein the surface faces and is substantially parallel to a top surface of a substrate during exposure, and the first exits and the second exits are arranged at a greater distance from the substrate than the extractor exit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inspection apparatus and associated method for measuring a target structure on a substrate. The inspection apparatus comprises an illumination source for generating measurement radiation; an optical arrangement for focusing the measurement radiation onto said target structure; and a compensatory optical device. The compensatory optical device may comprise an SLM operable to spatially modulate the wavefront of the measurement radiation so as to compensate for a non-uniform manufacturing defect in said optical arrangement. In alternative embodiments, the compensatory optical device may be located in the beam of measurement radiation, or in the beam of pump radiation used to generate high harmonic radiation in a HHG source. Where located in the beam of pump radiation, the compensatory optical device may be used to correct pointing errors, or impart a desired profile or varying illumination pattern in a beam of the measurement radiation.

Abstract: An electron beam inspection apparatus, the apparatus including a plurality of electron beam columns, each electron beam column configured to provide an electron beam and detect scattered or secondary electrons from an object, and an actuator system configured to move one or more of the electron beam columns relative to another one or more of the electron beam columns. The actuator system may include a plurality of first movable structures at least partly overlapping a plurality of second movable structures, the first and second movable structures supporting the plurality of electron beam columns.

Abstract: A patterning apparatus, including: a substrate holder constructed to support a substrate; a particle generator configured to generate particles in the patterning apparatus, the particle generator configured to deposit the particles onto the substrate to form a layer of particles on the substrate; and a pattern generator in the patterning apparatus, the pattern generator configured to applying a pattern in the patterning apparatus to the deposited layer of particles.

Abstract: An adjustable diffraction grating includes: an optical element and a distortion mechanism. The optical element has an optical surface to receive an input radiation beam. The optical element is provided with a plurality of closed channels below the optical surface, above each closed channel the optical surface being formed from a membrane of material. The distortion mechanism includes one or more actuators that are operable to distort the membranes over the closed channels so as to control the shape of the optical surface and to form a periodic structure on the optical surface which acts as a diffraction grating such that the input radiation beam is diffracted from the optical element to form a plurality of angularly separated sub-beams.

Abstract: A vacuum system for extracting a stream of a multi-phase fluid from a photolithography tool comprises a pumping arrangement for drawing the fluid from the tool, and an extraction tank located upstream from the pumping arrangement for separating the fluid drawn from the tool into gas and liquid phases. The pumping arrangement comprises a first pump for extracting gas from the tank, and a second pump for extracting liquid from the tank. In order to minimize any pressure fluctuations transmitted from the vacuum system back to the fluid within the tool, a pressure control system maintains a substantially constant pressure in the tank by regulating the amounts of liquid and gas within the tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for tuning lithography systems so as to allow different lithography systems to image different patterns utilizing a known process that does not require a trial and error process to be performed to optimize the process and lithography system settings for each individual lithography system. According to some aspects, the present invention relates to a method for a generic model-based matching and tuning which works for any pattern. Thus it eliminates the requirements for CD measurements or gauge selection. According to further aspects, the invention is also versatile in that it can be combined with certain conventional techniques to deliver excellent performance for certain important patterns while achieving universal pattern coverage at the same time.

Abstract: A target structure, wherein the target structure is configured to be measured with a metrology tool that has a diffraction threshold; the target structure including: one or more patterns supported on a substrate, the one or more patterns being periodic with a first period in a first direction and periodic with a second period in a second direction, wherein the first direction and second direction are different and parallel to the substrate, and the first period is equal to or greater than the diffraction threshold and the second period is less than the diffraction threshold.

Abstract: Overlay error of a lithographic process is measured using a plurality of target structures, each target structure having a known overlay bias. A detection system captures a plurality of images (740) representing selected portions of radiation diffracted by the target structures under a plurality of different capture conditions (?1, ?2). Pixel values of the captured images are combined (748) to obtain one or more synthesized images (750). A plurality of synthesized diffraction signals are extracted (744) from the synthesized image or images, and used to calculate a measurement of overlay. The computational burden is reduced compared with extracting diffraction signals from the captured images individually. The captured images may be dark-field images or pupil images, obtained using a scatterometer.

Abstract: A membrane assembly for EUV lithography, the membrane assembly including: a planar membrane; a border configured to hold the membrane; and a frame assembly connected to the border and configured to attach to a patterning device for EUV lithography, wherein the frame assembly is connected to the border in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the membrane such that in use the frame assembly is between the border and the patterning device.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a membrane assembly where, in one arrangement, a stack includes a planar substrate and at least one membrane layer. The planar substrate includes an inner region, a border region around the inner region, a bridge region around the border region and an edge region around the bridge region. The inner region and a first portion of the bridge region are removed. The membrane assembly after removal has: a membrane formed from the at least one membrane layer, a border holding the membrane, the border formed from the border region, an edge section around the border, the edge section formed from the edge region, a bridge between the border and the edge section, the bridge formed from the at least one membrane layer and a second portion of the bridge region. The method further involves separating the edge section from the border by cutting or breaking the bridge.

Abstract: A topography measurement system includes a radiation source; a first grating; imaging optics; a movement mechanism; detection optics; a second grating; and a detector. The radiation source is configured to generate a radiation beam and includes a light emitting diode to produce to the radiation. The first grating is configured to pattern the radiation beam. The imaging optics is configured to form a first image of the first grating at a target location on a substrate. The movement mechanism is operable to move the substrate relative to the image of the first grating such that the target location moves relative to the substrate. The detection optics is configured to receive radiation from the target location of the substrate and form an image of the first image at the second grating. The detector is configured to receive radiation transmitted through the second grating and produce an output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide a plurality of radiation beams modulated according to at least two sub patterns of a pattern using radiation sources, the radiation sources producing radiation beams of at least two spot sizes such that each of the radiation beams having a same spot size of the at least two spot sizes is used to produce one of the at least two sub patterns, project the plurality of beams onto a substrate, and provide relative motion between the substrate and the plurality of radiation sources, in a scanning direction to expose the substrate. A method and apparatus to provide radiation modulated according to a desired pattern using a plurality of rows of two-dimensional arrays of radiation sources, project the modulated radiation onto a substrate using a projection system, and remove fluid from between the projection system and the substrate using one or more fluid removal units.

Abstract: A substrate has a plurality of overlay gratings formed thereon by a lithographic process. Each overlay grating has a known overlay bias. The values of overlay bias include for example two values in a region centered on zero and two values in a region centered on P/2, where P is the pitch of the gratings. Overlay is calculated from asymmetry measurements for the gratings using knowledge of the different overlay bias values, each of the overall asymmetry measurements being weighted by a corresponding weight factor. Each one of the weight factors represents a measure of feature asymmetry within the respective overlay grating. The calculation is used to improve subsequent performance of the measurement process, and/or the lithographic process. Some of the asymmetry measurements may additionally be weighted by a second weight factor in order to eliminate or reduce the contribution of phase asymmetry to the overlay.