Patents by Inventor Erik Roelof Loopstra

Erik Roelof Loopstra 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).

  • Publication number: 20120262690
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a field-facet mirror-device and a pupil mirror configured to condition a beam of radiation incident on the field-facet mirror-device. The field-facet mirror-device includes reflective field facets movable between first and second orientations relative to the incident beam. The field facets in their first orientations are effective to reflect the incident radiation towards respective reflective pupil facets so as to form part of a conditioned beam reflected from the pupil-facet mirror-device. The field facets in their second orientations are effective to reflect the incident radiation onto respective areas of the pupil-facet mirror-device designated as beam dump areas. The areas are arranged to prevent radiation incident on the areas from forming part of the conditioned beam and are arranged between the limits of an annular area on the pupil-facet mirror-device effective to define the inner and outer regions of the conditioned beam reflected from the pupil-facet mirror-device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Petrus De Boeij, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Uwe Mickan, Jan Bernard Plechelmus Van Schoot, Gosse Charles De Vries
  • Patent number: 8289498
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project an image onto a substrate, a substrate table configured to support the substrate, a first chamber that at least partially surrounds the projection system, and a second chamber that at least partially surrounds the substrate table and a first frame. The apparatus includes a base frame configured to support the second chamber, and an intermediate frame coupled to the base frame. The intermediate frame is configured to separate the first chamber and the second chamber. The apparatus includes a support coupled to the first frame. The support is configured to support the first chamber through a coupled opening in the intermediate frame and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Petrus Rutgerus Bartray, Leon Martin Levasier, Bernardus Antonius Johannes Luttikhuis, Josephus Jacobus Smits, Anthonie Aantjes, Maurice Willem Jozef Etiënne Wijckmans, Johannes Bernardus Ridder, Andre Schreuder, Dennis Jozef Maria Paulussen, Peter Gerardus Jonkers, Hugues Poincelin, Fransiscus Theresia Noel Heusschen
  • Publication number: 20120257178
    Abstract: Liquid is supplied to a space between the projection system and the substrate by an inlet. In an embodiment, an overflow region removes liquid above a given level. The overflow region may be arranged above the inlet and thus the liquid may be constantly refreshed and the pressure in the liquid may remain substantially constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Christiaan Alexander HOOGENDAM, Bob Streefkerk, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Erik Theodorus Maria Bijlaart, Aleksey Yurievich Kolesnychenko, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Bernardus Antonius Slaghekke, Patricius Aloysius Jacobus Tinnemans, Helmar Van Santen
  • Patent number: 8278636
    Abstract: A radiation source is configured to generate radiation. The radiation source includes a fuel droplet generator constructed and arranged to generate a stream of droplets of fuel that are directed to a plasma generation site; a laser constructed and arranged to generate a laser beam that is directed to the plasma generation site, an angle between the direction of movement of the stream of droplets and the direction of the laser beam being less than about 90°; and a collector constructed and arranged to collect radiation generated by a plasma formed at the plasma formation site when the beam of radiation and a droplet collide. The collector is configured to reflect the radiation substantially along an optical axis of the radiation source. The laser beam is directed to the plasma generation site through an aperture provided in the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Hendrikus Gijsbertus Schimmel
  • Patent number: 8274641
    Abstract: A table is disclosed in which measures are taken to seal between the table and an edge of an object, in use, supported on the table. In particular, a capillary passage is formed between the object on the table and the table itself. A meniscus pinning feature and/or the presence of an overpressure at the radially inward side of the capillary passage holds the liquid in the passage and helps prevent it from advancing further radially inwardly. The features to perform this function may be associated with or formed in a member surrounding the object. The member may be thermally decoupled from a part of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Eva Mondt, Noud Jan Gilissen, Hernes Jacobs, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Marcus Martinus Petrus Adrianus Vermeulen, Michel Riepen
  • Patent number: 8269949
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a mirror block provided with a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, wherein the mirror block is constructed and arranged to reduce slip between the mirror block and the substrate table. Slip can occur if the acceleration of the mirror block is high and the substrate table slips locally with respect to the mirror block. Slip may lead to exposure errors since the position of the substrate is no longer determined with the desired accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Marcus Martinus Petrus Adrianus Vermeulen, Andre Bernardus Jeunink, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Rene Theodorus Petrus Compen, Peter Smits, Martijn Houben, Hendrikus Johannes Marinus Van Abeelen, Antonius Arnoldus Meulendijks, Rene Wilhelmus Antonius Hubertus Leenaars
  • Patent number: 8264670
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic apparatus including an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a patterning device support constructed to support a transmissive patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate, and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, wherein the patterning device support is configured to hold a patterning device and wherein the lithographic apparatus includes a clamping device, the clamping device being configured to clamp the patterning device at the top side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Bernardus Antonius Johannes Luttikhuis, Harmen Klaas Van Der Schoot, Fransicus Mathijs Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8242471
    Abstract: A radiation source includes a radiation emitter configured to emit radiation, a collector configured to collect the radiation, and a contamination trap configured to trap contamination emitted by the radiation source. The contamination trap includes a plurality of foils that extend substantially radially, a first magnet ring configured to lie outside of an outer conical trajectory of radiation that is collected by the collector, and a second magnet ring configured to lie within the trajectory of radiation that is collected by the collector. The magnet rings are configured to provide a magnetic field that includes a component that is parallel to the foils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Wouter Anthon Soer, Vadim Yevgenyevich Banine, Tjarko Adriaan Rudolf Van Empel, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herpen
  • Publication number: 20120194790
    Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus includes a liquid supply system configured to supply a liquid to a space through which a beam of radiation passes, the liquid having an optical property that can be tuned by a tuner. The space may be located between the projection system and the substrate. The tuner is arranged to adjust one or more properties of the liquid such as the shape, composition, refractive index and/or absorptivity as a function of space and/or time in order to change the imaging performance of the lithography apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicants: CARL ZEISS SMT AG, ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Johannes Jacobus Matheus Baselmans, Paul Graupner, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Bob Streefkerk
  • Patent number: 8232537
    Abstract: A radiation source for generation of extreme ultraviolet radiation or use in high resolution lithography includes a plasma formation site where fuel is contacted by a radiation beam to form a plasma generating EUV radiation. A mirrored collector collects and reflects the EUV radiation generated at a first focus towards a second focus. A contamination barrier is positioned such the periphery of the contamination barrier does not occlude more than 50% of the solid angle subtended by the mirror at the second focus, such that EUV radiation reflected by the collector mirror is not excessively attenuated by passing through the contamination barrier. The contamination barrier serves to trap fuel material such as ions, atoms, molecules or nanodroplets from the plasma to prevent their deposition onto the collector mirror where they reduce the mirror's effective lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Gijsbertus Schimmel, Vadim Yevgenyevich Banine, Erik Roelof Loopstra
  • Publication number: 20120182536
    Abstract: An EUV lithographic apparatus includes a source collector apparatus in which the extreme ultraviolet radiation is generated by exciting a fuel to provide a plasma emitting the radiation. The source collector apparatus includes a chamber in fluid communication with a guide way external to the chamber. A pump for circulating buffer gas is part of the guide way, and provides a closed loop buffer gas flow. The gas flowing through the guide way traverses a gas decomposer wherein a compound of fuel material and buffer gas material is decomposed, so that decomposed buffer gas material can be fed back into the closed loop flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Vadim Yevgenyevich Banine, Gerardus Hubertus Petrus Maria Swinkels, Sven Pekelder, Dzmitry Labetski, Uwe Bruno Heini Stamm, William N. Partlo
  • Patent number: 8208124
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens
  • Patent number: 8208123
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Johannes Jacobus Matheus Baselmans, Marcel Mathijs Theodore Marie Dierichs, Johannes Christiaan Maria Jasper, Hendricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Uwe Mickan, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Matthew Lipson, Tammo Utterdijk
  • Patent number: 8208120
    Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a structure surrounds a space between the projection system and a substrate table of the lithographic projection apparatus. Gas is used between the structure and the surface of the substrate to contain liquid in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    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, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders
  • Publication number: 20120154774
    Abstract: Lithography apparatus and device manufacturing methods are disclosed in which means are provided for reducing the extent to which vibrations propagate between a first element of a projection system and a second element of a projection system. Approaches disclosed include the use of plural resilient members in series as part of a vibration isolation system, plural isolation frames for separately supporting first and second projection system frames, and modified connection positions for the interaction between the first and second projection system frames and the isolation frame(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Marc Wilhelmus Maria VAN DER WIJST, Hans Butler, Yim Bun Patrick Kwan, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Bernhard Geuppert, Marco Hendrikus Hermanus Oude Nijhuis, Rodolfo Guglielmi Rabe, Dick Antonius Hendrikus Laro
  • Patent number: 8203694
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam and a support constructed to support a patterning device. The lithographic apparatus further includes a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. An active damping system is provided to dampen a vibration of at least part of the projection system. The active damping system includes a combination of a sensor to measure a position quantity of the projection system and an actuator to exert a force on the projection system in dependency of a signal provided by the sensor. The active damping system is connected to a damping mass, the damping mass being connected to the projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Marc Wilhelmus Maria Van Der Wijst, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Cornelius Adrianus Lambertus De Hoon
  • Patent number: 8203693
    Abstract: A liquid immersion lithography system includes projection optics (PL) and a showerhead (604). The projection optics are configured to expose a substrate (W) with a patterned beam. The showerhead includes a first nozzle (610) and a second nozzle (612) that are configured to be at different distances from a surface of the substrate during an exposure operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: ASML Netherlands B.V., ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Aleksandr Khmelichek, Marina Khmelichek, legal representative, Harry Sewell, Louis John Markoya, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Nicolaas Ten Kate
  • Publication number: 20120147349
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is provided with a EUV radiation system that includes a source chamber, a supply constructed and arranged to supply a target material to a predetermined plasma formation position, an optical system formed by three or more mirrors arranged to establish a beam path extending to the target material when the target material is located at the predetermined plasma formation position, and a laser system constructed and arranged to provide a laser beam along the beam path for interaction with the target material to produce an EUV radiation-emitting plasma inside the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Johannes Josephus Van Dijsseldonk, Erik Roelof Loopstra
  • Publication number: 20120120377
    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 the 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicants: CARL ZEISS SMT AG, ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Christiaan Alexander HOOGENDAM, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Bob Streefkerk, Bernhard Gellrich, Andreas Wurmbrand
  • Patent number: RE43576
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dual stage lithographic apparatus, wherein two substrate stages are constructed and arranged for mutual cooperation in order to perform a joint scan movement. The joint scan movement brings the lithographic apparatus from a first configuration, wherein immersion liquid is confined between a first substrate held by the first stage of the stages and a projection system of the apparatus, to a second configuration, wherein the immersion liquid is confined between a second substrate held by the second stage of the two stages and the projection system, such that during the joint scan movement the liquid is essentially confined within the space with respect to the projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Marinus Aart Van Den Brink, Jozef Petrus Henricus Benschop, Erik Roelof Loopstra