Abstract: A liquid supply system for an immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space is defined between the projection system, a barrier member and a substrate. The barrier member is not sealed such that, during use, immersion liquid is allowed to flow out the space and between the barrier member and the substrate.

Abstract: In an immersion lithography apparatus in which immersion liquid is supplied to a localized space, the space is substantially polygonal in plan substantially parallel to the substrate. In an embodiment, two corners of the space have a radius of curvature no greater than the width of a transition zone between the space configured to contain liquid and a surrounding configured not to contain liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for correcting thermally-induced field deformations of a lithographically exposed substrate. First, a model is provided to predict thermally-induced field deformation information of a plurality of fields of the substrate. The pre-specified exposure information used to configure an exposure of the fields is then modified based on the thermally-induced deformation information as predicted by the model. Finally a pattern is exposed onto the fields in accordance with the pre-specified exposure information as modified. The predicting of thermally-induced field deformation information by the model includes predicting of deformation effects of selected points on the substrate. It is based on a time-decaying characteristic as energy is transported across substrate; and a distance between the selected points and an edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate. The apparatus is provided with a clamp, including a support part configured to support the patterning device or the substrate and a temperature control part configured to control the temperature of the patterning device or the substrate. The clamp is constructed to mechanically isolate the temperature control part from the support part with a flexible connector so that vibrations, shrink and expansion of the temperature control part will not influence the patterning device and/or the substrate.

Abstract: A method for lithographically applying a pattern to a substrate involves obtaining temperature as a function of time during a post exposure bake for one or more locations on a substrate coated with a layer of chemically amplified resist. A relationship between radiation dosage directed onto the chemically amplified resist and post-exposure concentration of accelerant generated in the chemically amplified resist layer by the radiation dosage is also obtained. Using a model relating the critical dimension to post-exposure concentration of accelerant, and temperature as a function of time across the one or more locations, a radiation dosage to obtain a specified critical dimension for the patterned substrate can be calculated. A substrate can be patterned using the calculated radiation dosage for each one or more location on the substrate such that a specified critical dimension is obtained. An apparatus and controller for putting the method into effect are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transmissive fly's eye integrator is disclosed that includes a first array of lenses and a second array of lenses. The first array of lenses and second array of lenses together form a fly's eye integrator, and the first array of lenses and second array of lenses comprise lenses which have a diameter selected from the range of 5 ?m-50 ?m, and a radius of curvature selected from the range of 25 ?m-2500 ?m.

Abstract: A fluid handling structure and lithographic apparatus is disclosed in which measures are taken, in particular to the dimensions and spacing of an array of openings in a bottom surface of the fluid handling structure, to deal with and/or prevent formation of bubbles in immersion liquid.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a support configured to support a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation to form a patterned beam of radiation; a positioning device configured to move the support in a first direction; a measurement device configured to measure a relative position of the patterning device with respect to the support and to generate a measuring signal, the measurement device including a reference unit constructed and arranged to be coupled to the patterning device at a fixed relative position, and a position sensor configured to measure the position of the reference unit with respect to the support, wherein the positioning device is constructed and arranged to correct a position of the support based on the measuring signal.

Abstract: A multi-layer mirror includes a multi-layer stack. The multi-layer stack includes a plurality of alternating layers with a multi-layer stack top layer and a spectral filter top layer arranged on the multi-layer stack. The spectral filter top layer includes a first spectral purity enhancement layer that includes a first material m1 and has a first layer thickness d1, an intermediate layer that includes a second material m2 and has a second layer thickness d2. The intermediate layer is arranged on the multi-layer stack top layer. The first material is selected from SiN, Si3N4, SiO2, ZnS, Te, diamond, CsI, Se, SiC, amorphous carbon, MgF2, CaF2, TiO2, Ge, PbF2, ZrO2, BaTiO3, LiF or NaF. The second material includes a material different from the first material, and d1+d2 has a thickness between 1.5 and 40 nm.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for determining an overlay error on a semiconductor substrate includes a first and a second transistor. Each transistor includes two diffusion regions associated with a gate, the diffusion regions of each transistor being arranged in a first direction. The second transistor is arranged adjacent to the first transistor in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second gate each have a non-uniform shape, and the second gate is oriented with respect to an orientation of the first gate in such a way that an effect of an overlay error on a device parameter of the second transistor has an opposite sign in comparison to an effect of the overlay error on a corresponding device parameter of the first transistor.

Abstract: A liquid confinement structure configured to contain a liquid in a space between a projection system and a substrate has a recess in its lower surface which is open to both a relatively low pressure source and a relatively high pressure source and through which liquid and/or gas from between the liquid confinement structure and the substrate is extracted.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an assembly of a plurality of flexible medium transfer lines and a line carrier, the liner carrier configured to moveably guide the plurality of flexible medium transfer lines from one connection point of the apparatus to another connection point, wherein at least one of the two connection points is movable. At least one of the flexible medium transfer lines includes an inner base layer having an outer low-friction layer provided thereon, the outer low-friction layer having lower friction capacities than the inner base layer so as to provide a smooth guiding of the at least one of the flexible medium transfer lines relative to the carrier and a neighbouring flexible medium transfer line during a movement of the at least one connection point.

Abstract: A guide for guiding cables and/or hoses between two parts that are moveable relative to each other, the guide including a band having a length, width and thickness, and having a torsional stiffness about a longitudinal axis of the band, a bending stiffness about an axis in the width direction, and a shear stiffness in the thickness direction, multiple blocks fitted to the band, and a deformable member provided between two adjacent blocks, the deformable member being connected to the adjacent blocks and having a torsional stiffness about the longitudinal axis of the band, a shear stiffness in the thickness direction, and a bending stiffness about the axis in the width direction, wherein the torsional stiffness of the deformable member is substantially greater than the torsional stiffness of the band, and wherein the shear stiffness of the deformable member is substantially greater than the shear stiffness of the band.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus is provided in which a maximum permissible velocity of the substrate relative to a fluid confinement structure that controls the immersion fluid is determined based on a property of the substrate to be exposed and, during the exposure process, the velocity of the substrate relative to the fluid confinement structure is limited to be below this maximum permissible velocity.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a fluid supply system configured to provide a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid includes from 25 to 98.99 wt % water; from 1 to 74.99 wt % solvent selected from one or more glycol ethers, esters, alcohols and ketones; and from 0.01 to 5 wt % surfactant.

Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus and manufacturing method can lead to mechanical stress being formed in a substrate to which an imprint pattern is being applied. This may cause strain within the substrate leading to misalignment of a subsequent pattern with an earlier pattern in a part of the substrate, which is strained. An apparatus and method is disclosed which allows for stress relaxation in the substrate prior to further patterning to reduce, minimize or prevent such misalignment from residual strain. This is achieved by locally unclamping a portion of substrate (including optionally the entire substrate) from a corresponding portion of substrate holder so that mechanical stress leading to local strain may relax prior to further patterning. To overcome residual frictional force between the substrate and substrate holder, the substrate and substrate holder may be physically separated prior to further patterning.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the simultaneous measurement of four separately polarized beams upon diffraction from a substrate in order to determine properties of the substrate. Circularly or elliptically polarized light sources are passed via up to three polarizing elements. This polarizes the light sources by 0, 45, 90 and 135°. The plurality of polarizing beamsplitters replaces the use of a phase modulator, but enables the measurement of the intensity of all four beams and thus the measurement of the phase modulation and amplitude of the combined beams to give the features of the substrate.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus including a filter device is disclosed. The filter device has a plurality of foils attached to a holder which is able to rotate around a rotation axis. The foils are arranged substantially parallel to the rotation axis. The foils comprise a uni-directional carbon-fiber composite material selected from the group consisting of carbon-carbon composite (C-C composite) and carbon-silicon carbide composite (C—SiC composite). During operation, the filter device rotates and filters out debris from a radiation source, such as a Sn plasma source. Such a filter device per se may be provided.

Abstract: A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a mask comprises a pair of members. The mask held against each member by a vacuum arrangement which prevents relative motion between the mask and members. The members are compliant such that they accommodate flatness variations in the mask but without deforming the mask.