Patents by Inventor Alexander Straaijer

Alexander Straaijer 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).

  • Patent number: 9081299
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus including a liquid supply system configured to provide a liquid to a space between the projection system and an object, and a movable table having a recess, the recess including therein the object or a surface to hold and support the object, wherein a gap opening into which the liquid can enter is defined between a peripheral wall of the recess and the object, and the recess further including a fluid opening, below the gap opening, to remove the liquid entering the gap opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Joeri Lof, Erik Theodorus Maria Bijlaart, Roelof Aeilko Siebrand Ritsema, Frank Van Schaik, Timotheus Franciscus Sengers, Klaus Simon, Joannes Theodoor De Smit, Arie Jeffrey Maria Den Boef, Hans Butler, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Marcus Adrianus Van De Kerkhof, Aleksey Yurievich Kolesnychenko, Mark Kroon, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Hendricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Alexander Straaijer, Bob Streefkerk, Helmar Van Santen
  • Publication number: 20150168850
    Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Bob STREEFKERK, Johannes Jacobus Matheus Baselmans, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Joeri Lof, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frits Van Der Meulen, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Gerardus Petrus Mattijs Van Nunen, Klaus Simon, Bernardus Antonius Slaghekke, Alexander Straaijer, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martijn Houkes
  • Patent number: 9057967
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate; a substrate table configured to hold the substrate, the substrate table including a support surface configured to support an intermediary plate between the projection system and at least one of the substrate and an object positioned on the substrate table and not in contact with the at least one of the substrate and the object; and a liquid supply system configured to provide a liquid, through which the beam is to be projected, in a space between the projection system and the at least one of the substrate and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Joeri Lof, Hans Butler, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Aleksey Yurievich Kolesnychenko, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Hendricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Roelof Aeilko Siebrand Ritsema, Frank Van Schaik, Timotheus Franciscus Sengers, Klaus Simon, Joannes Theodoor De Smit, Alexander Straaijer, Helmar Van Santen
  • Publication number: 20150070668
    Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus comprises a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of a projection system, a substrate and a liquid towards a common target temperature. Controlling the temperature of these elements and reducing temperature gradients may improve imaging consistency and general lithographic performance. Measures to control the temperature may include controlling the immersion liquid flow rate and liquid temperature, for example, via a feedback circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Bob STREEFKERK, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria DERKSEN, Joeri LOF, Klaus SIMON, Alexander STRAAIJER
  • Patent number: 8964164
    Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bob Streefkerk, Johannes Jacobus Matheus Baselmans, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Joeri Lof, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frits Van Der Meulen, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Gerardus Petrus Matthijs Van Nunen, Klaus Simon, Bernardus Antonius Slaghekke, Alexander Straaijer, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martijn Houkes
  • Patent number: 8913223
    Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus comprises a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of a projection system, a substrate and a liquid towards a common target temperature. Controlling the temperature of these elements and reducing temperature gradients may improve imaging consistency and general lithographic performance. Measures to control the temperature may include controlling the immersion liquid flow rate and liquid temperature, for example, via a feedback circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bob Streefkerk, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Joeri Lof, Klaus Simon, Alexander Straaijer
  • Patent number: 8823920
    Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus comprises a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of a projection system, a substrate and a liquid towards a common target temperature. Controlling the temperature of these elements and reducing temperature gradients may improve imaging consistency and general lithographic performance. Measures to control the temperature may include controlling the immersion liquid flow rate and liquid temperature, for example, via a feedback circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bob Streefkerk, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Joeri Lof, Klaus Simon, Alexander Straaijer
  • Patent number: 8797503
    Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a liquid supply system to provide a liquid to a space between the table and an optical element and to contact a surface of the optical element, the space having a cross-sectional area smaller than the area of the substrate, the liquid supply system comprising a liquid confinement structure extending along at least a part of a boundary of the space between the optical element surface and the table, wherein at least part of the liquid confinement structure is positioned between the optical element surface and the table, the at least part of the liquid confinement structure has an aperture through which the patterned beam can pass, the liquid confinement structure comprises an inlet to supply the liquid to the space above the aperture, and the liquid confinement structure comprises an outlet to remove the liquid, supplied by the inlet, from the space below the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Joeri Lof, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Aleksey Kolesnychenko, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Theodorus Marinus Modderman, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Roelof Aeilko Siebrand Ritsema, Klaus Simon, Joannes Theodoor De Smit, Alexander Straaijer, Bob Streefkerk, Helmar Van Santen
  • Patent number: 8797554
    Abstract: A method of determining a structural parameter related to process-induced asymmetry, the method including: illuminating a structure, having an asymmetry property and a sub-structure susceptible to process-induced asymmetry, with radiation with a plurality of illumination conditions, at a first location of a substrate, determining a difference between measured asymmetry properties of the structure obtained with each of the plurality of illumination conditions, calculating a differential dependence of a difference between modeled asymmetry properties simulated for illumination by each of the plurality of illumination conditions on a structural parameter representing process-induced asymmetry of the sub-structure, and determining a value of the structural parameter using the determined difference and the calculated differential dependence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Straaijer
  • Patent number: 8792096
    Abstract: Four separately polarized beams are simultaneously measured upon diffraction from a substrate (W) to determine properties of the substrate. Linearly, circularly or elliptically polarized radiation is transmitted through a first beam splitter (N-PBS) and split into two polarized beams. These two beams are further split into two further beams using two further beam splitters, the further beam splitters (32,34) being rotated by 45° with respect to each other. The plurality of polarizing beam splitters 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. Algorithms are used to compare the four intensities of each of the polarized angles to give rise to the phase difference between the polarization directions and the ratio between the two main polarization direction amplitudes of the original polarized beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Straaijer
  • Patent number: 8724083
    Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bob Streefkerk, Johannes Jacobus Matheus Baselmans, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Joeri Lof, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frits Van Der Meulen, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Gerardus Petrus Mattijs Van Nunen, Klaus Simon, Bernardus Antonius Slaghekke, Alexander Straaijer, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martijn Houkes
  • Patent number: 8724084
    Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bob Streefkerk, Johannes Jacobus Matheus Baselmans, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Joeri Lof, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frits Van Der Meulen, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Gerardus Petrus Mattijs Van Nunen, Klaus Simon, Bernardus Antonius Slaghekke, Alexander Straaijer, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martijn Houkes
  • Patent number: 8711323
    Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus comprises a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of a projection system, a substrate and a liquid towards a common target temperature. Controlling the temperature of these elements and reducing temperature gradients may improve imaging consistency and general lithographic performance. Measures to control the temperature may include controlling the immersion liquid flow rate and liquid temperature, for example, via a feedback circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bob Streefkerk, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Joeri Lof, Klaus Simon, Alexander Straaijer
  • Patent number: 8692994
    Abstract: A system is configured to measure two separately polarized beams upon diffraction from a substrate in order to determine properties of a grating on a substrate. Linearly polarized light sources are passed via a fixed phase retarder in order to change the phase of one of two orthogonally polarized radiation beams with respect to the other of the two beams. The relative phases of the two radiation beams and other features of the beams as measured in a detector gives rise to properties of the substrate surface. The grating and the initial linear polarization of the radiation beam are angled non-orthogonally relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Straaijer
  • Patent number: 8681312
    Abstract: The measurement of two separately polarized beams (Ix, Iy) upon diffraction from a substrate (W) in order to determine properties of the substrate is disclosed. Circularly or elliptically polarized radiation is passed via a variable phase retarder in order to change the phase of one of two orthogonally polarized radiation beams with respect to the other of the two beams. The phase change is dependent on the wavelength of the polarized beam. The relative phases of the two radiation beams and other features of the beams as measured in a detector gives rise to properties of the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Straaijer
  • Publication number: 20130308142
    Abstract: A method of determining a structural parameter related to process-induced asymmetry, the method including: illuminating a structure, having an asymmetry property and a sub-structure susceptible to process-induced asymmetry, with radiation with a plurality of illumination conditions, at a first location of a substrate, determining a difference between measured asymmetry properties of the structure obtained with each of the plurality of illumination conditions, calculating a differential dependence of a difference between modeled asymmetry properties simulated for illumination by each of the plurality of illumination conditions on a structural parameter representing process-induced asymmetry of the sub-structure, and determining a value of the structural parameter using the determined difference and the calculated differential dependence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Straaijer
  • Publication number: 20130301017
    Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a structure surrounds a space between the projection system and a substrate table of the lithographic projection apparatus. A gas seal is formed between said structure and the surface of said substrate to contain liquid in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Aleksey Yurievich Kolesnychenko, Joeri Lof, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Theodorus Marinus Modderman, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Roelof Aeilko Siebrand Ritsema, Klaus Simon, Alexander Straaijer, Bob Streefkerk, Joannes Theodoor De Smit, Helmar Van Santen
  • Patent number: 8558989
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and the substrate is filled with a liquid. An edge seal member at least partly surrounds the substrate or other object on a substrate table to prevent liquid loss when edge portions of the substrate or other object are, for example, imaged or illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Joeri Lof, Erik Theodorus Maria Bijlaart, Hans Butler, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Aleksey Kolesnychenko, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Hendricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Roelof Aeilko Siebrand Ritsema, Frank Van Schaik, Timotheus Franciscus Sengers, Klaus Simon, Joannes Theodoor De Smit, Alexander Straaijer, Bob Streefkerk, Helmar Van Santen
  • Publication number: 20130250270
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and the substrate is filled with a liquid. An edge seal member at least partly surrounds the substrate or other object on a substrate table to prevent liquid loss when edge portions of the substrate or other object are, for example, imaged or illuminated. A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; 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; and a shutter configured to isolate the space from the substrate or a space to be occupied by a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Joeri LOF, Erik Theodorus Maria BIJLAART, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus DONDERS, Christiaan Alexander HOOGENDAM, Erik Roelof LOOPSTRA, Hendricus Johannes Maria MEIJER, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria MERTENS, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus MULKENS, Roelof Aeilko Siebrand RITSEMA, Timotheus Franciscus SENGERS, Klaus SIMON, Joannes Theodoor DE SMIT, Alexander STRAAIJER, Bob STREEFKERK, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria DERKSEN
  • Publication number: 20130235358
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; 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; and a shutter configured to isolate the space from the substrate or a space to be occupied by a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Christiaan Alexander HOOGENDAM, Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Joeri Lof, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Hans Jansen, Jacobus Johannus Leonardus Hendricus Verspay, Alexander Straaijer, Bob Streefkerk