Abstract: A reflective optical component is configured to reflect EUV radiation. The reflective optical component has a reflective layer with a bimetal cap layer of differing first and second metals selected to ensure that the outer surface of the cap layer is substantially unreactive or non-adsorptive to sulfur. The bimetal cap layer may be an alloy of the two metals or may consist of a base layer of the first metal deposited on the reflective layer and a surface layer of the second metal on the base layer. The interaction of the two metals may lead to modification of the bonding energy to the outer face of the cap layer of sulfur-containing molecules such as SO2 so that sulfur adsorption, which leads to loss of reflectivity, is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus comprises an object table for receiving an object, an actuator for moving the object table and a handler for transferring the object to or from the object table. The apparatus is provided with a controller operable connected with the actuator and/or the handler. The controller is programmed and/or arranged to drive the actuator and the handler so as to provide that the object table and the handler substantially follow each other in a direction perpendicular to a transfer direction during transfer in the transfer direction of the object to or from the object table.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is configured to transfer a pattern from a patterning structure, held by a patterning structure holder, onto a substrate that is held by a substrate holder. The apparatus includes a first object holder configured to hold an object, and an object temperature conditioner configured to condition a temperature of the object prior to and/or during transfer of the object to the first object holder. The object temperature conditioner includes a second object holder having a fluid duct system and an electrical temperature conditioner.

Abstract: A debris prevention system is constructed and arranged to prevent debris emanating from a radiation source from propagating with radiation from the radiation source into or within a lithographic apparatus. The debris prevention system includes a first foil trap that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, and a second foil trap that at least partly encloses the first foil trap. The second foil trap includes a plurality of foils optically open respective to a central location for placement of a radiation source and optically closed respective to directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a phase adjuster to adjust a phase of an optical wave traversing an optical element of the phase adjuster during exposure of a pattern on a substrate. In an embodiment, the optical element is a heat controllable optical element in a projection system of the lithographic apparatus. In use, the pattern is illuminated with an illumination mode including an off-axis radiation beam. This beam is diffracted into a number of first-order diffracted beams, one associated with a first pitch in the pattern, along a first direction, another associated with a second pitch along a different, second direction in the pattern. An area is identified where the first-order diffracted beam associated with the first pitch traverses the optical element. An image characteristic of an image of the pattern is optimized by calculating a desired optical phase of this first-order diffracted beam in relation to the optical phase of the other first-order diffracted beam.

Abstract: An EUV lithographic apparatus includes a source collector apparatus in which the extreme ultraviolet radiation is generated by exciting a fuel to provide a plasma emitting the radiation. The source collector apparatus includes a chamber in fluid communication with a guide way external to the chamber. A pump for circulating buffer gas is part of the guide way, and provides a closed loop buffer gas flow. The gas flowing through the guide way traverses a gas decomposer wherein a compound of fuel material and buffer gas material is decomposed, so that decomposed buffer gas material can be fed back into the closed loop flow path.

Abstract: A spectral purity filter, in particular for use in a lithographic apparatus using EUV radiation for the projection beam, includes a plurality of apertures in a substrate. The apertures are defined by walls having side surfaces that are inclined to the normal to a front surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An article such as an EUV lithography reticle is inspected to detect contaminant particles. The method comprises applying a fluorescent dye material to the article, illuminating the article with radiation at wavelengths suitable for exciting the fluorescent dye, monitoring the article for emission of second radiation by the fluorescent dye at a wavelength different from the first radiation, and generating a signal representing contamination in the event of detecting the second radiation. In one example, measures such as low-affinity coatings may be applied to the reticle to reduce affinity for the dye molecules, while the dye molecules will bind by physical or chemical adsorption to the contaminant particles. Dyes may be selected to have fluorescence behavior enhanced by hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity, and contaminant surfaces treated by buffer coatings accordingly.

Abstract: A method of determining an overlay error between two successive layers produced by a lithographic process on a substrate, including using the lithographic process to form a calibration structure including a periodic structure of the same pitch on each of the layers, such that an overlaid pair of periodic structures is formed, the structures being parallel, but offset relative to each other by an overlay amount. A spectrum produced by directing a beam of radiation onto the calibration structure is measured and compared with one or more modeled spectra so as to determine values of the grating parameters for the calibration structure from the measured spectrum. The lithographic process is used to form further overlaid periodic structures on the same or one or more subsequent substrates, the determined grating parameter values for the calibration structure being used to determine overlay amounts for the further overlaid periodic structures.

Abstract: A method of decomposing a target pattern containing features to be imaged onto a substrate into a plurality of exposure patterns for use in a multi-exposure process. The method includes dividing the target pattern into fragments; associating the fragments with an exposure pattern; associating the fragments with image log slope (ILS) evaluation points; and maximizing ILS values. Maximizing the ILS values further includes calculating ILS values at the ILS evaluation points; determining a minimum ILS value; calculating changes in the ILS values as a result of associating fragments with a different exposure pattern; determining a maximum change of the ILS values; and associating fragments associated with the maximum change with a different exposure pattern.

Abstract: A gas gauge has a gas delivery tube arranged to determine a distance to an object. The gas delivery tube includes a gas conduit through which a suitable measurement gas is supplied. The measurement gas leaves the gas delivery tube under pressure via an outlet and impinges on the object in an interaction area, wherein a pressure of a recoiled gas is measured by a pressure detector. A gas having a low atomic number may be used. The pressure sensor may include a membrane positioned in the gas delivery tube at least partially enveloping the gas conduit at or near the gas outlet. The pressure sensor may include a membrane disk arranged about the gas conduit. The pressure sensor may include a suitable plurality of pressure elements arranged in a substantially common plane and which may be spaced apart yet enveloping the gas conduit.

Abstract: A liquid handling system is disclosed in which an extractor to contain liquid in a space between the projection system of a lithographic apparatus and a substrate has, in plan, a shape with a single corner. The extractor is provided in a rotatable part of a liquid handling system. The rotatable part is rotated under the control of a controller.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed where at least part of a space between a projection system of the apparatus and a substrate is filled with a liquid by a liquid supply system. The projection system is separated into two separate physical parts. With substantially no direct connection between the two parts of the projection system, vibrations induced in a first of the two parts by coupling of forces through the liquid filling the space when the substrate moves relative to the liquid supply system affects substantially only the first part of the projection system and not the other second part.

Abstract: A system for detecting at least one contamination species in an interior space of a lithographic apparatus, including: at least one monitoring surface configured to be in contact with the interior space, a thermal controller configured to control the temperature of the monitoring surface to at least one detection temperature, and at least one detector configured to detect condensation of the at least one contamination species onto the monitoring surface.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that has a movable article support configured to hold and move an article, a radiation control system configured to control a beam of radiation to be targeted onto the article, the article support, or both, the article to be moved relatively to the radiation control system by the movable article support for measurement, exposure, or both purposes, and a pressure shield that is mechanically uncoupled from the radiation control system to shield against pressure waves induced by the article support so as to help prevent displacement of the radiation control system caused by the pressure waves.

Abstract: In a lithographic printing process a substrate is moved, in the scanning direction, relative to a patterned beam of radiation being projected onto it during a scanning exposure of a pattern feature. An image of the pattern feature is blurred in the scanning direction. The effect of the blurring is used to reduce a difference of critical dimension between similar horizontal and vertical features. The effect on critical dimension may be obtained by providing an amount of anamorphic magnification to the projection system.

Abstract: A linear motor for vacuum environment includes a core and a housing. The core includes a plurality of cooling plates and a plurality of electrical coils sandwiched between the plurality of cooling plates. The core further includes a plurality of thermally conductive epoxy layers positioned between the plurality of electrical coils and the plurality of cooling plates, and a plurality of shims located between the plurality of electrical coils and the plurality of cooling plates to determine a distance between the plurality of electrical coils and the plurality of cooling plates. The core is assembled and tested independently and before being assembled in the housing. The housing encloses the core and includes a body, a plurality of feed throughs, and a lid.

Abstract: A spectral purity filter includes a substrate, a plurality of apertures through the substrate, and a plurality of walls. The walls define the plurality of apertures through the substrate. The spectral purity filter also includes a first layer formed on the substrate to reflect radiation of a first wavelength, and a second layer formed on the first layer to prevent oxidation of the first layer. The apertures are constructed and arranged to be able to transmit at least a portion of radiation of a second wavelength therethrough.

Abstract: An illumination system for a lithographic apparatus comprises a radiation intensity filter for controlling the intensity distribution of a beam of radiation travelling along an optical axis (Z), the radiation intensity filter comprising a first member and a second member. Each of the first and second members comprise a plurality of opaque regions which are substantially opaque to the radiation beam. The first member and second member are moveable relative to one another between a first relative position and a second relative position. In the first relative position at least a portion of one of the opaque regions of the first member overlaps in the direction of the optical axis with a portion of one of the opaque regions of the second member. In the second relative position the total area of overlap in the direction of the optical axis of the opaque regions of the first member with the opaque regions of the second member is less than that in the first relative position.

Abstract: A system and method are used to form features on a substrate. The system and method include using a first array including individually controllable elements that selectively pattern a beam of radiation, a second array including sets of lenses and apertures stops that form an image from a respective one of the individually controllable elements in a first plane, a third array including lenses that form an image from a respective one of the second array in a second plane, and a substrate table that holds a substrate in the second plane, such that the substrate receives the image from the respective one of the second array. A same spacing is formed between elements in the first, second, and third arrays.