Patents by Inventor Akikazu Tanimoto
Akikazu Tanimoto has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20180196352Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus includes a stage having a holder that holds a substrate, and is movable below a projection system, supply ports via which immersion liquid is supplied, the supply ports facing an upper surface of the substrate held on the holder, recovery ports via which the immersion liquid is collected and arranged such that (i) the upper surface of the substrate held on the holder faces the recovery ports and (ii) the recovery ports encircle a path of exposure light. The recovery ports collect the immersion liquid from the upper surface of the substrate such that only a portion of the upper surface of the substrate is covered with the immersion liquid. The stage is movable below a gas supply opening that supplies a gas. The stage is movable to a position where the supplied gas is supplied to a surface of the stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki KOBAYASHI, Akikazu TANIMOTO
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Patent number: 9939739Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure method exposes a substrate with exposure light through liquid, and uses a projection system, a stage system having a holder that holds the substrate, a supply port via which the liquid is supplied arranged such that an upper surface of the substrate faces the supply port and that is spaced a first distance from an optical axis of the projection system, and a recovery port via which the liquid is collected arranged such that the upper surface of the substrate faces the recovery port, which is spaced a second distance greater than the first distance from the optical axis of the projection system, and that encircles the supply port. In the method, the substrate held on the holder is positioned based on a detection result of an alignment system that detects an alignment mark of the substrate not through the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto
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Publication number: 20160216612Abstract: There is provided an exposure apparatus capable of forming a desirable device pattern by removing unnecessary liquid when performing exposure by projecting a pattern onto the substrate via a projection optical system and the liquid. The exposure device projects an image of the pattern onto the substrate via the projection optical system and the liquid so as to expose the substrate. The exposure device includes a liquid removing mechanism which removes the liquid remaining on a part arranged in the vicinity of the image plane of the projection optical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki KOBAYASHI, Akikazu TANIMOTO
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Patent number: 9304392Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus comprising: a projection system, a stage system having a holder that holds a substrate, a supply port that is arranged such that an upper surface of the substrate faces the supply port, and a recovery port that is arranged to surround the supply port and collects an immersion liquid from the upper surface of the substrate such that only a portion of the upper surface of the substrate is covered with the immersion liquid. The apparatus also comprises an alignment system which detects an alignment mark of the substrate not through the immersion liquid. The substrate held on the holder is positioned based on a detection result of the alignment system to align the substrate with an exposure light projected through the immersion liquid by the projection system.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto
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Publication number: 20140293249Abstract: There is provided an exposure apparatus capable of forming a desirable device pattern by removing unnecessary liquid when performing exposure by projecting a pattern onto the substrate via a projection optical system and the liquid. The exposure device projects an image of the pattern onto the substrate via the projection optical system and the liquid so as to expose the substrate. The exposure device includes a liquid removing mechanism which removes the liquid remaining on a part arranged in the vicinity of the image plane of the projection optical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki KOBAYASHI, Akikazu TANIMOTO
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Patent number: 8780327Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an optical element via which a patterned beam is projected onto a substrate through exposure liquid filled in a space between the optical element and the substrate. The apparatus also includes a member having a flow passage in which exposure liquid flows, the flow passage being in fluidic communication with the space. The apparatus also includes a cleaning system which cleans the member.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Patent number: 8760617Abstract: A cleaning of a liquid immersion exposure apparatus is performed at a different time than an exposure operation. A stage is placed under a liquid supply inlet during a cleaning operation. The cleaning operation is performed at the different time than the exposure operation in which an immersion liquid is supplied onto a substrate held on a holder of the stage. The immersion liquid is supplied from a liquid supply inlet during the cleaning operation. The immersion liquid is supplied to a portion of the stage different from a portion at which the substrate is held by the holder of the stage.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Patent number: 8384877Abstract: There is provided an exposure apparatus capable of forming a desirable device pattern by removing unnecessary liquid when performing exposure by projecting a pattern onto the substrate via a projection optical system and the liquid. The exposure device projects an image of the pattern onto the substrate P via the projection optical system and the liquid so as to expose the substrate P. The exposure device includes a liquid removing mechanism 40 which removes the liquid remaining on a part 7 arranged in the vicinity of the image plane of the projection optical system.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Publication number: 20130016329Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes: an optical member which has an emission surface and in which a liquid immersion space is formed; a measurement member has a conductive first film and an upper surface, the upper surface includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being capable of facing the emission surface and being irradiated with measurement light, and the second portion includes a surface of a third film which is more liquid-repellent than the first film; a liquid immersion member, which is capable to be disposed to face the measurement member and which is capable of holding liquid between the measurement member; and a voltage adjustment apparatus that applies a voltage to at least one of the first film and the liquid immersion member, when at least a portion of an interface of the liquid of the liquid immersion space is located at the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Akikazu TANIMOTO
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Patent number: 8174668Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table which holds a substrate, a projection system which projects a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate, the projection system having a final optical element adjacent the substrate, a liquid supply system which provides a liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate table, and a cleaning system which cleans the substrate table.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Patent number: 8169592Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an optical element via which a patterned beam is projected onto a substrate through exposure liquid filled in a space between the optical element and the substrate. The apparatus also includes a member having a surface and movable to a position at which the surface of the member faces the optical element. The apparatus also includes a cleaning system which cleans the surface of the member.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Publication number: 20120057139Abstract: A cleaning substrate and a liquid immersion member face each other in order to clean the liquid immersion member. The cleaning substrate has a first liquid-repellent portion which is liquid-repellent to a first cleaning liquid for cleaning and a lyophilic portion which is disposed in at least a part of the periphery of the first liquid-repellent portion and is more lyophilic than the first liquid-repellent portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Akikazu TANIMOTO, Yutaka IKEDA, Kenichi SHIRAISHI, Ryo TANAKA, Shunji WATANABE
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Patent number: 8130363Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus includes an optical element via which a patterned beam is projected onto a substrate in an exposure operation, a liquid supply system having a supply port from which exposure liquid is supplied, and a member which has a surface and which is different from the substrate. In the exposure operation, the liquid supply system supplies the exposure liquid from the supply port to a space between the optical element and the substrate. In a cleaning operation, the member is moved to a position at which the surface of the member faces the optical element, and the liquid supply system supplies the exposure liquid from the supply port to a space between the optical element and the surface of the member.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Patent number: 8072576Abstract: There is provided an exposure apparatus capable of forming a desirable device pattern by removing unnecessary liquid when performing exposure by projecting a pattern onto the substrate via a projection optical system and the liquid. The exposure device projects an image of the pattern onto the substrate P via the projection optical system and the liquid so as to expose the substrate P. The exposure device includes a liquid removing mechanism 40 which removes the liquid remaining on a part 7 arranged in the vicinity of the image plane of the projection optical system.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Patent number: 8004653Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus includes an optical element via which a patterned beam is projected onto a substrate in an exposure operation, a liquid supply system having a supply port from which exposure liquid is supplied, and a member which has a surface and which is different from the substrate. In the exposure operation, the liquid supply system supplies the exposure liquid from the supply port to a space between the optical element and the substrate. In a cleaning operation, the member is moved to a position at which the surface of the member faces the optical element, and the liquid supply system supplies the exposure liquid from the supply port to a space between the optical element and the surface of the member.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Publication number: 20110199594Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an optical element via which a patterned beam is projected onto a substrate through exposure liquid filled in a space between the optical element and the substrate. The apparatus also includes a member having a flow passage in which exposure liquid flows, the flow passage being in fluidic communication with the space. The apparatus also includes a cleaning system which cleans the member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Patent number: 7995187Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table which holds a substrate, a projection system which projects a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate, the projection system having a final optical element adjacent the substrate, a liquid supply system which provides a liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate table, and a cleaning system which cleans the substrate table.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Inventors: Naoyuki Kobayashi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yasushi Mizuno, Kenichi Shiraishi, Katsushi Nakano, Soichi Owa
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Patent number: 7876452Abstract: Process tools and methods are disclosed that involve interferometric and other measurements of movements and positions relative to a process position, such as movements and positions of a stage relative to a lithographic optical system. An exemplary apparatus includes a stage that places a workpiece relative to the tool, and that is movable in at least one direction relative to the tool. At least one first interferometer system is situated relative to the stage to determine stage position in a movement direction relative to the process position. A movement-measuring device determines displacement of the tool from the process position. Using data from the interferometer system and movement-measuring device a processor determines a position of the stage relative to the tool. The processor also corrects the determined position for displacement of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Michael R. Sogard, Bausan Yuan, Masahiko Okumura, Yosuke Shirata, Kiyoshi Uchikawa, Saburo Kamiya, Akikazu Tanimoto
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Publication number: 20100039628Abstract: A cleaning tool is loaded onto an exposure apparatus, which exposes a substrate with exposure light, and cleans a member inside the exposure apparatus. The cleaning tool comprises: a base member; and a cleaning member that is disposed on the base member and permeated with a cleaning liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Shiraishi, Akikazu Tanimoto
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Publication number: 20090011368Abstract: An object is to provide a high-resolution and economical exposure method suitable for use in formation of a fine pattern for making up an electronic device. Two diffraction gratings (P1, P2) are located in series in an optical path; the two diffraction gratings (P1, P2) and a wafer or the like (W) for making up an electronic device are arranged with a predetermined spacing; a light-dark pattern of interference fringes generated by the diffraction gratings (P1, P2) is transferred onto the wafer or the like (W) to effect exposure. The exposure is done while changing a positional relation between the wafer or the like (W) and the diffraction gratings (P1, P2) according to need.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2006Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Yutaka Ichihara, Ayako Nakamura, Naomasa Shiraishi, Akikazu Tanimoto, Yuji Kudo