Abstract: A method for joining at least two members of a lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The method includes providing a first member, providing a second member, direct-bonding the first member and the second member to form a direct-bond, and anodically bonding the first member and the second member. At least one of the members includes ultra low expansion glass and/or ultra low expansion glass ceramics.

Abstract: A variable reluctance device includes first and second magnetic members, a coil, a measurement coil, and a control unit. The first and second magnetic members are displaceable relative to each other to provide a magnetic circuit having a variable reluctance. The coil for, in use, receiving a current for generating a magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit. The measurement coil for generating a measurement signal representative of the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit, whereby the measurement coil is arranged to substantially enclose the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit. The control unit arranged to receive the flux signal at an input terminal and, in response, provide a control signal based on the measurement signal at an output terminal for controlling an amplitude of the current or a force of a further device. The device can e.g., be applied in a stage apparatus or a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A method for identifying process window signature patterns in a device area of a mask is disclosed. The signature patterns collectively provide a unique response to changes in a set of process condition parameters to the lithography process. The signature patterns enable monitoring of associated process condition parameters for signs of process drift, analyzing of the process condition parameters to determine which are limiting and affecting the chip yields, analyzing the changes in the process condition parameters to determine the corrections that should be fed back into the lithography process or forwarded to an etch process, identifying specific masks that do not transfer the intended pattern to wafers as intended, and identifying groups of masks that share common characteristics and behave in a similar manner with respect to changes in process condition parameters when transferring the pattern to the wafer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device manufacturing method and associated apparatus, the method comprising transferring a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate. The method relates to the alignment of said patterning device and said substrate, and comprises imparting a radiation beam onto an alignment structure on said patterning device so as to obtain a resultant aerial image; scanning an image sensor in accordance with a scanning scheme, through a target volume containing said resultant aerial image, the relative positions of said image sensor and said substrate being known or subsequently determined; and measuring features of said image and thereby determining of the location of the alignment structure relative to the image sensor; wherein an alternative scanning scheme is used in which, for example two or more scans through the whole target volume are performed, having a total duration the same as a conventional single continuous scan.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support configured to support a patterning device, the patterning device being configured to impart the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, wherein the radiation beam is reflected from at least one grazing incidence mirror that enhances the spectral purity of the radiation beam.

Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed that has a first array of template holders, a second array of template holders, and a substrate table arranged to support a substrate to be imprinted, wherein the first array of template holders is arranged to hold an array of imprint templates that can be used to imprint a first array of patterns onto the substrate, and the second array of template holders is arranged hold an array of imprint templates that can be used to imprint a second array of patterns onto the substrate, the patterns imprinted by the second array being interspersed between the patterns imprinted by the first array.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a support constructed to support a patterning device 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. At least one vibration isolation support device can be provided for supporting an object of the apparatus. The object can be rotatably supported at the vibration isolation support device by way of a rotational support having a center of rotation. The rotational support can have its center of rotation located substantially at the center of gravity of the vibration isolation support device.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus, includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to impart a beam of radiation with a pattern in its cross-section; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a liquid supply system configured to provide liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate table; a sensor configured to measure an exposure parameter using a measuring beam projected through the liquid; and a correction system configured to determine an offset based on a change of a physical property impacting a measurement made using the measuring beam to at least partly correct the measured exposure parameter.

Abstract: A method for positioning an object by an electromagnetic motor which, in use, produces a plurality of primary forces and a pitch torque associated with the primary forces. The method includes a cycle which includes: determining the desired forces and torques for positioning the object, determining the primary forces to be generated by the motor, determine the pitch torque from either the primary forces or from the desired forces and torques, determine the desired signals for the motor to generate the primary forces. In a next cycle, prior to the determination of the primary forces, the desired forces and torques for positioning the object are modified using the pitch torque determined in the previous cycle of steps.

Abstract: Liquid is supplied to a space between the projection system of a lithographic apparatus and a substrate. A flow of gas towards a vacuum inlet prevents the humid gas from escaping to other parts of the lithographic apparatus. This may help to protect intricate parts of the lithographic apparatus from being damaged by the presence of humid gas.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus has adaptations to prevent or reduce bubble formation in one or more gaps in the substrate table by preventing bubbles escaping from the gap into the beam path and/or extracting bubbles that may form in the gap.

Abstract: A method of determining an overlay error. Measuring an overlay target having process-induced asymmetry. Constructing a model of the target. Modifying the model, e.g., by moving one of the structures to compensate for the asymmetry. Calculating an asymmetry-induced overlay error using the modified model. Determining an overlay error in a production target by subtracting the asymmetry-induced overlay error from a measured overlay error. In one example, the model is modified by varying asymmetry p(n?), p(n?) and the calculating an asymmetry-induced overlay error is repeated for a plurality of scatterometer measurement recipes and the step of determining an overlay error in a production target uses the calculated asymmetry-induced overlay errors to select an optimum scatterometer measurement recipe used to measure the production target.

Abstract: An illumination system of a lithographic apparatus includes a plurality of reflective elements arranged to receive radiation from a radiation source, the reflective elements being movable between different orientations. In the different orientations, the reflective elements direct radiation towards different locations at a reflective component in a pupil plane of the illumination system, thereby forming different illumination modes. Each reflective element is moveable between a first orientation, which directs radiation towards a first location the pupil plane, and a second orientation, which directs radiation towards a second location in the pupil plane. The first orientation and the second orientation of the reflective element are defined by end stops.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for reducing noise in an original signal which contains a linear time varying signal and the noise, the original signal is differentiated to obtain a differentiated original signal. The differentiated original signal is Fourier transformed to obtain power spectral densities of the differentiated original signal. A noise frequency is detected in a power spectral density spectrum of the obtained power spectral densities of the differentiated original signal. For the noise frequency, a corresponding noise component is determined. The noise component is subtracted from the original signal to obtain a noise reduced original signal.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus has adaptations to prevent or reduce bubble formation in one or more gaps in the substrate table by preventing bubbles escaping from the gap into the beam path and/or extracting bubbles that may form in the gap.

Abstract: Liquid is supplied to a space between the projection system and the substrate by an inlet. In an embodiment, an overflow region removes liquid above a given level. The overflow region may be arranged above the inlet and thus the liquid may be constantly refreshed and the pressure in the liquid may remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A system for tuning the refractive index of immersion liquid in an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed. Two or more immersion liquids of different refractive index are mixed together in order to achieve a desired refractive index. Further, the fluids may be conditioned and treated to maintain optical characteristics.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced.

Abstract: A system and a method for creating a focus-exposure model of a lithography process are disclosed. The system and the method utilize calibration data along multiple dimensions of parameter variations, in particular within an exposure-defocus process window space. The system and the method provide a unified set of model parameter values that result in better accuracy and robustness of simulations at nominal process conditions, as well as the ability to predict lithographic performance at any point continuously throughout a complete process window area without a need for recalibration at different settings. With a smaller number of measurements required than the prior-art multiple-model calibration, the focus-exposure model provides more predictive and more robust model parameter values that can be used at any location in the process window.

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.