Abstract: Provided are a methods and systems for determining a topography of an object. In an embodiment, a system includes a reference probe configured to measure a surface of a reference surface and to generate a reference signal, a measuring probe configured to measure a surface of an object and to generate a measurement signal, a sensor configured to sense a position of the measuring probe and to generate a sensor signal, and a combiner configured to receive the sensor signal and the measurement signal and to generate a combination signal therefrom. A desired distance between the measuring probe and the object is substantially maintained by adjusting the position of the measuring probe based on the measurement signal. A topography of the object is determined based at least on a comparison of the reference signal and the combination signal.

Abstract: Provided are a methods and systems for determining a topography of an object. In an embodiment, a system includes a reference probe configured to measure a surface of a reference surface and to generate a reference signal, a measuring probe configured to measure a surface of an object and to generate a measurement signal, a sensor configured to sense a position of the measuring probe and to generate a sensor signal, and a combiner configured to receive the sensor signal and the measurement signal and to generate a combination signal therefrom. A desired distance between the measuring probe and the object is substantially maintained by adjusting the position of the measuring probe based on the measurement signal. A topography of the object is determined based at least on a comparison of the reference signal and the combination signal.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for measuring a distance to an object. The system includes an air gauge configured to sense a distance to a surface of the object and a sensor configured to measure at least one from the group including (i) a relative position of the air gauge and (ii) a relative position of the surface of the object. Outputs of the air gauge and the sensor are combined to produce a combined air gauge reading.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for controlling a reticle-masking blade in a photolithography system. A reticle-masking blade is supported with a reticle-masking blade carriage assembly. The reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is levitated at a position with respect to a reference frame and at an orientation with respect to the reference frame. Preferably, the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is electromagnetically levitated. At least one of the position and the orientation of the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is measured. At least one of the position and the orientation of the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is controlled. Optionally, the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is moved within a dimension within a range defined by the reference frame. The dimension can be two dimensions. The movement of the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly can be controlled.

Abstract: A system and method include an object supported on a moveable support, an optical system that transmits radiation onto the object, a support having an aperture therethrough, a sensor system coupled to the support, and a control system coupled to the sensor system and the moveable support. The sensor system is arranged with respect to the aperture to measure a surface of the object and send measurement signals to the control system, such that the control system generates control signals received and used by the moveable support to ensure that the surface of the object receiving light transmitted by the optical system through the aperture is in a focus plane of the optical system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for controlling a reticle-masking blade in a photolithography system. A reticle-masking blade is supported with a reticle-masking blade carriage assembly. The reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is levitated at a position with respect to a reference frame and at an orientation with respect to the reference frame. Preferably, the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is electromagnetically levitated. At least one of the position and the orientation of the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is measured. At least one of the position and the orientation of the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is controlled. Optionally, the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly is moved within a dimension within a range defined by the reference frame. The dimension can be two dimensions. The movement of the reticle-masking blade carriage assembly can be controlled.

Abstract: A system and method are used to feed a flexible substrate through a patterned beam to be exposed at target portions by the pattered beam. In one example, the flexible substrate is passed over a chuck (e.g., a vacuum chuck). In one example, the chuck can bias the flexible substrate against a chuck surface during alignment, focus, and exposure operations. By biasing the flexible substrate, the flexible substrate can continuously move while being held against the chuck. In one example, the flexible substrate is fed onto the vacuum chuck from a supply roller and fed off the chuck and wrapped on to a take-up roller. The supply and take-up rollers are rotated to follow the scanning motion, which minimizes or substantially eliminates tension on the flexible substrate during the exposure period.

Abstract: A system and method that eliminate or substantially reduce slippage of a pattern generator with respect to a pattern generator holding device during a scanning portion of an exposure operation. In first and second examples, this is done by either (a) continuously or (b) when needed concurrently using first and second pattern generator holding systems to hold the pattern generator to the pattern generator holding device. In these examples, the first pattern generator holding systems utilizes an electrostatic system to attract the pattern generator to the pattern generator holding device and the second pattern generator holding system utilizes a vacuum system to attract the pattern generator to the pattern generator holding device.

Abstract: An actuator coil with a race track winding that generates a magnetic field. A cooling tube has cooling liquid flowing therethrough and is wrapped around a periphery of the race track winding. A plurality of thermal conductive strips are arranged generally transverse to at least portions of the race track winding so as to conduct heat from the racetrack winding to the cooling tube.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for configuring a dual isolation system lithography tool is described. An isolated base frame is supported by a non-isolated tool structure. A wafer stage component is supported by the isolated base frame. The wafer stage component provides a mount for a semiconductor wafer. A reticle stage component is supported by the isolated base frame. The reticle stage component provides a mount for a reticle. An isolated bridge provides a mount for a projection optics. The isolated bridge is supported by the isolated base frame. Alternatively, an isolated bridge is supported by a non-isolated base frame. A wafer stage component is supported by the non-isolated base frame. A reticle stage component is supported by the non-isolated base frame. An isolated optical relay is supported by the non-isolated base frame. The isolated optical relay includes one or more individually servo controlled framing blades.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for configuring a dual isolation system lithography tool is described. An isolated base frame is supported by a non-isolated tool structure. A wafer stage component is supported by the isolated base frame. The wafer stage component provides a mount for a semiconductor wafer. A reticle stage component is supported by the isolated base frame. The reticle stage component provides a mount for a reticle. An isolated bridge provides a mount for a projection optics. The isolated bridge is supported by the isolated base frame. Alternatively, an isolated bridge is supported by a non-isolated base frame. A wafer stage component is supported by the non-isolated base frame. A reticle stage component is supported by the non-isolated base frame. An isolated optical relay is supported by the non-isolated base frame. The isolated optical relay includes one or more individually servo controlled framing blades.

Abstract: A system and method that use a fluid gauge proximity sensor. A source of modulated unidirectional or alternating fluid flow travels along at least one path having a nozzle and a flow or pressure sensor. The fluid exists at a gap between the nozzle and a target. The sensor outputs an amplitude modulated signal that varies according to a size of the gap. The amplitude modulated signal is processed either digitally or in analog devices, which can include being filtered (e.g., band pass, band limited, high pass, etc. filter) to include the modulated frequency and sufficient bandwidth on either side of that frequency and/or being demodulated using a demodulator operating at the acoustical driver modulation frequency. Using this system and method can result in only ambient acoustical energy in a desired frequency range of the device actually having the opportunity to interfere with the device operation. This can lower the devices overall sensitivity to external acoustical noise and sensor offset.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precisely detecting very small distances between a measurement probe and a surface, and more particularly to a proximity sensor using a constant gas flow and sensing a mass flow rate within a pneumatic bridge to detect very small distances. Within the apparatus the use of a flow restrictor and/or snubber made of porous material and/or a mass flow rate controller enables detection of very small distances in the nanometer to sub-nanometer range. A further embodiment wherein a measurement channel of a proximity sensor is connected to multiple measurement branches.

Abstract: Systems and methods eliminate vibrations produced by coolant fluid flowing through a short stroke stage and prevent change in thermally-induced distortion of the short stroke stage by maintaining the temperature and temperature distribution within the short stroke stage constant regardless of actinic heat load incident on a reticle. This is done by: (1) conducting heat through the reticle and short stroke stage components, (2) radiatively transferring heat from the short stroke stage to a long stroke stage, and (3) using convection and a cooling system to dissipate heat from the long stroke stage. The short stroke stage can be magnetically levitated from the long stroke stage. This way there is no physical contact, but the long stroke stage's movements can still control the short stroke stage's movements. By not physically contacting the long stroke stage, the short stroke stage is not affected by vibrations in the long stroke stage caused by the flowing coolant.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a scanning system during lithographic processing comprises a baseframe, a reaction mass, and a pair of flexures connecting the reaction mass to the baseframe. The apparatus also comprises a second reaction mass and a second pair of flexures, placed in parallel to the first to form a split reaction mass system. The apparatus is configured such that, upon acceleration of a stage movably coupled to the reaction masses, a resulting load is split substantially evenly between the first and second reaction masses. Also upon acceleration of the stage, the first reaction mass rotates in the opposite direction of the second reaction mass, resulting in a net moment reaction on the baseframe of approximately zero.

Abstract: A lithography system and method are used to increase throughput using multiple reticles to pattern multiple substrates that are positioned with respect to one another according to a predetermined sequence. For example, during a first exposure period a first reticle patterns a first set of substrates, during a second exposure period a second reticle patterns the first set of substrates and a second set of substrates, and during a third exposure period the first reticle patterns the second set of substrates, etc. This can continue with further pairs of substrates until all desired substrates are patterned. It is to be appreciated that after the first and second reticles are complete, third and fourth reticles can pattern the first and second, sets of substrates. As another example, other sequences can also be performed using four exposure periods.

Abstract: A lithography system and method are used to increase throughput using multiple reticles to pattern multiple substrates that are positioned with respect to one another according to a predetermined sequence. For example, during a first exposure period a first reticle patterns a first set of substrates, during a second exposure period a second reticle patterns a second set of substrates, during a third exposure period the first reticle patterns a third set of substrates, etc., until all desired substrates are patterned. It is to be appreciate that after the first and second reticles are complete, third and fourth reticles can pattern the first, second, third, etc. sets of substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an optical gap between a pellicle and a reticle in a photolithography system includes a frame defining first and second opposing surfaces, a reticle mated to the first opposing surface using magnetic coupling and a pellicle mated to the second opposing surface using magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A gas gauge proximity sensor modulates a gas stream that is used to feed reference and measurement air gauges, respectively, in a reference portion proximate a reference surface and a measurement portion proximate a measurement surface. The gas stream can be modulated at a frequency at which there is minimal acoustical interference energy (e.g., minimal noise) in demodulated output signal. The sensor output can be filtered so that a measurement signal includes only the modulated frequency and side bands of that frequency to include the desired response band of the device as a whole. The filtered signal can be demodulated using a demodulator operating at a same frequency as the modulator to produce the demodulated output signal. In this embodiment, substantially only ambient acoustical energy in the band pass region may interfere with the device operation. Alternatively, the modulation can be introduced through the reference portion. A reference nozzle sets up a pressure field with the reference surface.

Abstract: A system and method that use a fluid gauge proximity sensor. A source of modulated unidirectional or alternating fluid flow travels along at least one path having a nozzle and a flow or pressure sensor. The fluid exists at a gap between the nozzle and a target. The sensor outputs an amplitude modulated signal that varies according to a size of the gap. The amplitude modulated signal is processed either digitally or in analog devices, which can include being filtered (e.g., band pass, band limited, high pass, etc. filter) to include the modulated frequency and sufficient bandwidth on either side of that frequency and/or being demodulated using a demodulator operating at the acoustical driver modulation frequency. Using this system and method can result in only ambient acoustical energy in a desired frequency range of the device actually having the opportunity to interfere with the device operation. This can lower the devices overall sensitivity to external acoustical noise and sensor offset.