Abstract: Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small.

Abstract: Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a projection system provided with a final element which has a first outer surface that is liquid repellent, and a component disposed adjacent to the final element and having a second outer surface which is liquid repellent, the first outer surface and the second outer surface facing each other with a gap between the first and second outer surfaces. A substrate is exposed with exposure light from the projection system through immersion liquid between an end surface of the final element and the substrate, the immersion liquid covering a portion of an upper surface of the substrate. The gap is formed above the end surface of the final element.

Abstract: A device manufacturing method forms a liquid immersion area under a projection system via which an exposure light is projected, while supplying a liquid via a liquid supply inlet of a liquid retaining member and collecting the supplied liquid along with a gas via a liquid recovery outlet of the liquid retaining member. The liquid retaining member surrounds a tip portion of the projection system, which has a last optical element having a surface. The liquid retaining member has a surface opposite to the surface of the last optical element with a gap between the surfaces. A substrate is exposed with the exposure light through the liquid of the liquid immersion area, while moving the substrate below and relative to the projection system and the liquid retaining member. One of the liquid and the gas is separated from the other which have been collected via the liquid recovery outlet.

Abstract: Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small.

Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with an exposure beam via a liquid immersion area formed on a portion of a surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes: a projection system; a first nozzle member having an aperture through which the exposure beam is projected, the first nozzle member having a liquid supply inlet and a liquid recovery outlet; a second nozzle member having a gas supply inlet via which a gas is supplied, the gas being supplied via the gas supply inlet to a space surrounding the liquid immersion area during the exposure; and a stage system having a holder by which the substrate is held. The substrate held by the holder is moved below and relative to the projection system, the first nozzle member and the second nozzle member.

Abstract: Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small.

Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with an exposure beam via a liquid immersion area formed on a portion of a surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a projection system, a first nozzle member having an aperture through which the exposure beam is projected, the first nozzle member having a liquid supply inlet and a liquid recovery outlet, a second nozzle member having a gas supply inlet via which a gas is supplied to a space surrounding the liquid immersion area during the exposure, a driving system which moves the second nozzle member relative to the first nozzle member, and a stage system having a holder which holds the substrate and which is movable relative to and below the projection system, the first nozzle member and the second nozzle member.

Abstract: Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small.

Abstract: A device manufacturing method forms a liquid immersion area under a projection system via which an exposure light is projected, while supplying a liquid via a liquid supply inlet of a liquid retaining member and collecting the supplied liquid along with a gas via a liquid recovery outlet of the liquid retaining member. The liquid retaining member surrounds a tip portion of the projection system, which has a last optical element having a surface. The liquid retaining member has a surface opposite to the surface of the last optical element with a gap between the surfaces. A substrate is exposed with the exposure light through the liquid of the liquid immersion area, while moving the substrate below and relative to the projection system and the liquid retaining member. One of the liquid and the gas is separated from the other which have been collected via the liquid recovery outlet.

Abstract: Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small.

Abstract: A liquid confinement member supplies liquid to and collects the liquid from a liquid immersion area formed adjacent to a final optical element of an immersion exposure apparatus, and includes a channel formation member that surrounds a portion of the final optical element of the immersion exposure apparatus. The channel formation member includes a hole through which exposure light projected by the final optical element passes, a liquid supply opening through which the liquid is supplied to the liquid immersion area, a liquid recovery opening through which the liquid is recovered from the liquid immersion area, a liquid supply channel by which the liquid is supplied to the liquid supply opening, and a liquid recovery channel by which the liquid is recovered from the liquid recovery opening. At least one of the liquid supply and liquid recovery channels includes a protrusion into a portion of the channel.

Abstract: Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small.

Abstract: In an immersion exposure apparatus, a projection system includes an optical element having a light emitting surface that contacts immersion liquid and an outer surface above the light emitting surface. A holding member holds the optical element, and a liquid confinement member surrounds the optical element to form a gap between the optical element and the liquid confinement member. The outer surface of the optical element includes a first part extending upwardly with respect to the light emitting surface, and a second part above the gap and extending radially outwardly with respect to the first part. The gap is between the first part and an inner surface of the liquid confinement member, which has an upper surface extending radially outwardly with respect to the inner surface. The holding member holds the optical element over a portion of the upper surface of the liquid confinement member.

Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with an exposure beam via a liquid immersion area formed on a portion of a surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a projection system, a first nozzle member having an aperture through which the exposure beam is projected, the first nozzle member having a liquid supply inlet and a liquid recovery outlet, a second nozzle member having a gas supply inlet via which a gas is supplied to a space surrounding the liquid immersion area during the exposure, a driving system which moves the second nozzle member relative to the first nozzle member, and a stage system having a holder which holds the substrate and which is movable relative to and below the projection system, the first nozzle member and the second nozzle member.

Abstract: In an immersion exposure apparatus, a projection system includes an optical element having a light emitting surface that contacts immersion liquid and an outer surface above the light emitting surface. A holding member holds the optical element, and a liquid confinement member surrounds the optical element to form a gap between the optical element and the liquid confinement member. The outer surface of the optical element includes a first part extending upwardly with respect to the light emitting surface, and a second part above the gap and extending radially outwardly with respect to the first part. The gap is between the first part and an inner surface of the liquid confinement member, which has an upper surface extending radially outwardly with respect to the inner surface. The holding member holds the optical element over a portion of the upper surface of the liquid confinement member.

Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus and method exposes a substrate. The apparatus includes a projection optical system having an optical element via which exposure light is projected through liquid and a member having a channel in which the liquid flows. The member has an opening through which the exposure light passes. A gap is formed between a first surface of the member and a second surface of at least one of the optical element and a holding component which holds the optical element, and at least a portion of one or both of the first surface and the second surface is liquid repellent.

Abstract: A lithographic projection projects a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate through a liquid confined to a space adjacent the substrate. The space is smaller in plan than the substrate. The apparatus includes a plate substantially parallel to the substrate to divide the space into two parts, the plate having an aperture to allow transmission of the pattern onto the substrate.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate through a liquid confined in a space adjacent the substrate. The apparatus includes a structure substantially parallel to a surface of a substrate table configured to hold the substrate, to divide the space into two parts. The structure has an aperture to allow transmission of the pattern and a recess at the bottom side of the structure to extract a fluid from the space.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus projects a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate using a projection system. The apparatus has a liquid supply system to supply a liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate. The apparatus also has a fluid removal system including a chamber to hold liquid and having an open end adjacent to a volume in which fluid will be present. The open end removes, through a pressure differential across-the open end when liquid is present in the chamber, substantially only liquid from the volume when liquid in the volume is adjacent to the open end but not gas from the volume when gas in the volume is adjacent to the open end.