Abstract: Liquid is supplied to a space between the projection system of a lithographic apparatus and a substrate. A flow of gas towards a vacuum inlet prevents humid gas from escaping to other parts of the lithographic apparatus. This may help to protect intricate parts of the lithographic apparatus from being damaged by the presence of humid gas.

Abstract: The joint between the projection system element and its support comprises an inorganic layer or a direct bond and is thus liquid tight, which can prevent deformation by an immersion liquid. The joint can be made either warm or cold. Solders, glue, and glue protection can all be used in the formation of this joint. In an embodiment, the elements and its support are made of quartz.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system for providing a beam of radiation used to irradiate a patterning device, and a first support that supports the patterning device. The patterning device capable of patterning the beam of radiation. The apparatus also includes a second support that supports a substrate, a projection system for projecting the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of the substrate, and a projection system positioning module that controls at least one of a position and an orientation of the projection system based on at least one of a velocity and an acceleration of the projection system.

Abstract: A movable stage system capable of operating in a lithographic apparatus, is presented. The movable stage system includes a base, a platform that is movable relative to the base, a balance mass that is movable relative to the base and is configured to compensate for forces generated by a movement of the platform, and a drive mechanism configured to move the platform and the balance mass relative to the base. The drive mechanism comprises at least one belt transmission that couples the platform and the balance mass such that when the platform moves along a direction, the balance mass is moved in an at least partially opposite direction, and a driving device configured to mechanically engage the balance mass or the platform to directly drive the platform or the balance mass.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed for use with an immersion liquid positioned between the projection system and a substrate. Several methods and mechanism are disclosed to protect components of the projection system, substrate table and a liquid confinement system. These include providing a protective coating on a final element of the projection system as well as providing one or more sacrificial bodies upstream of the components. A two component final optical element of CaF2 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a liquid confinement system, which at least partly confines liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, is restricted in its movement in the direction of the optical axis of the apparatus by a stopper.

Abstract: In an off-axis levelling procedure a height map of the substrate is generated at a measurement station. The height map is referenced to a physical reference surface of the substrate table. The physical reference surface may be a surface in which is inset a transmission image sensor. At the exposure station the height of the physical reference surface is measured and related to the focal plane of the projection lens. The height map can then be used to determine the optimum height and/or tilt of substrate table to position the exposure area on the substrate in best focus during exposure. The same principles can be applied to (reflective) masks.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus uses the control signal from a computer to drive two spatial light modulators to pattern two separate projection beams for projection onto two substrates.

Abstract: A displacement apparatus comprising a first part and a second part, which can be displaced relative to each other in first and second different directions. The apparatus being suitable for use in a lithographic apparatus for positioning the mask holder with respect to the projection beam and for positioning the wafer substrate table with respect to the patterned beam. The first part comprises a first and second coil system in which an alternating current is provided by a power supply. The second part comprises a conductive platen which is disposed in a zone in which a magnetic field is induced when power is supplied to the coil systems. The coil system and platen are arranged with respect to each other so that when currents are passed through the coils, a magnetic field induced in the platen causes displacement between the platen and the coils in the first and second different directions.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is presented in which vibrations induced by reaction forces exerted on a base frame BF by accelerations within the apparatus are eliminated without the need for complex positioning systems and several balance masses. This is achieved by using feed-forward control to apply a compensating force using actuators to the base frame, based on knowledge of the movements and accelerations of the substrate table and other parts within the apparatus.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, there is provided a liquid supply system comprising a container at least partly defining a space between the projection system and the substrate, the container having a selectively openable and closeable aperture therein, and a closure configured to selectively close and open the aperture. In an embodiment, the shutter may comprise a channel in a surface of the shutter facing the aperture and/or the shutter may be displaced from the liquid supply system when connected to the liquid supply system. Further, in a lithographic apparatus, there is provided a liquid supply system configured to provide a liquid, through which the beam is to be projected, in a space between a projection system and a substrate and a controller configured to control application to the projection system of a force related to a weight transfer attributable to a member of the liquid supply system.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus wherein a liquid supply system provides a space between a projection system and a substrate with liquid. The liquid supply system comprises a member. A liquid seal is formed between the member and the substrate by a flow of liquid. In an embodiment, the liquid seal is formed by a flow of liquid from an inlet to an outlet of the member.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus contains a projection system configured to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate. The projection system contains one or more optically active mirrors and heat shields located to intercept heat radiation to or from the mirrors and/or their support. The heat shields are actively cooled and the mirrors and the heat shields and the mirrors are supported separately on a support frame to reduce vibration of the mirrors due to active cooling. The heat shields may include heat shields that intercept heat radiation to or from the support and/or respective heat shields for individual mirrors that intercept heat radiation to or from the mirrors.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for maintaining a machine part arranged in an interior space of a machine, where the interior space is kept at a first pressure and is separated from an environment having a second pressure via a load lock. The method includes transporting a machine part via the load lock out of the interior space and transporting via the load lock into the interior space one of the maintained machine part and a separate replacement machine part.

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.