Patents by Inventor Frits Van Der Meulen

Frits Van Der Meulen 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: 7936444
    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: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    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: 7859644
    Abstract: A control system configured to control a position of a fluid supply system, the fluid supply system constructed and arranged to supply a fluid between a substrate and a projection system, the substrate positioned with a substrate stage, the control system including a controller configured to determine a desired position of the fluid supply system based on a position signal to be provided to the substrate stage and a position offset, the position offset added to the position signal to be provided to the substrate stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Hans Butler, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Evert Hendrik Jan Draaijer, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Frits Van Der Meulen, Mark Johannes Hermanus Frencken, Martijn Houkes, Antonius Henricus Arends, Minne Cuperus
  • Patent number: 7830495
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus having a stationary magnet motor to drive a support such as a substrate support or a patterning device support, may be provided with a measurement system to measure a position of the support in question, e.g., to provide a safety system to prevent a collision of the support with another part. The measurement system may be configured to measure a magnetic field strength of an alternating magnetic field generated by the magnet assembly of the stationary magnet motor, and/or measure generation of eddy currents in a metallic layer shielding the magnet assembly in combination with an inductance measurement of an electromagnet generating the alternating magnetic field causing the eddy currents, and/or measure light using an optical position sensitive sensor such as a CCD metric or linear photodiode positioned in a light plane emitted by an emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Olaf Hubertus Wilhelmus Van Bruggen, Marcel Koenraad Marie Baggen, Johannes Roland Dassel, Remko Wakker, Stoyan Nihtianov, Frank Auer, Frits Van Der Meulen, Patrick David Vogelsang, Martinus Cornelis Reijnen, Tom Van Zutphen
  • Patent number: 7791709
    Abstract: A substrate support constructed to support a substrate for immersion lithographic processing is disclosed. The substrate support has a central part and a peripheral part positioned around the central part. The substrate support further includes a thermal decoupler arranged to decrease heat transport between the central part and the peripheral part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Renaat Maria Hennus, Frits Van Der Meulen, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Peter Paul Steijaert, Hubert Matthieu Richard Steijns, Peter Smits
  • Patent number: 7760324
    Abstract: An immersion lithographic projection apparatus includes a shutter member is employed to block a liquid supply system during substrate swap to ensure that liquid remains in contact with an element of the projection system during substrate swap. The shutter member is connected to a metrology frame which also supports the projection system. In this way the position of the shutter member is always known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jozef Petrus Henricus Benschop, Hans Butler, Nicolaas Rudolf Kemper, Bartholomeus Hendricus Koek, Frits Van Der Meulen, Harmen Klaas Van Der Schoot
  • Publication number: 20100157277
    Abstract: A liquid confinement structure configured to contain a liquid in a space between a projection system and a substrate has a recess in its lower surface which is open to both a relatively low pressure source and a relatively high pressure source and through which liquid and/or gas from between the liquid confinement structure and the substrate is extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Rudolf KEMPER, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Frits Van Der Meulen
  • Publication number: 20100149514
    Abstract: A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicants: ASML Netherlands B.V., ASML Holding NV
    Inventors: Nicolaas Rudolf KEMPER, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Roelof Frederik De Graaf, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frits Van Der Meulen, Franciscus Johannes Herman Maria Teunissen, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martinus Cornelis Maria Verhagen, Stefan Philip Christiaan Belfroid, Johannes Petrus Maria Smeulers, Herman Vogel
  • Patent number: 7705962
    Abstract: A liquid confinement structure configured to contain a liquid in a space between a projection system and a substrate has a recess in its lower surface which is open to both a relatively low pressure source and a relatively high pressure source and through which liquid and/or gas from between the liquid confinement structure and the substrate is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Rudolf Kemper, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Frits Van Der Meulen
  • Patent number: 7701550
    Abstract: A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: ASML Netherlands B.V., ASML Holding NV
    Inventors: Nicolaas Rudolf Kemper, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Roelof Frederik De Graaf, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frits Van Der Meulen, Franciscus Johannes Herman Maria Teunissen, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martinus Cornelis Maria Verhagen, Stefan Philip Christiaan Belfroid, Johannes Petrus Maria Smeulers, Herman Vogel
  • Publication number: 20090303455
    Abstract: A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicants: ASML Netherlands B.V., ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Rudolf Kemper, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Roelof Frederik De Graaf, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frits Van Der Meulen, Franciscus Johannes Herman Maria Teunissen, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martinus Cornelis Maria Verhagen, Marco Polizzi, Edwin Augustinus Matheus Van Gompel, Stefan Philip Christiaan Belfroid, Johannes Petrus Maria Smeulers, Herman Vogel, Martinus Hendrikus Antonius Leenders, Joost Jeroen Ottens
  • Publication number: 20090279061
    Abstract: A substrate table is disclosed in which heaters are provided to account for a heat load which may be applied to the substrate. The heaters are grouped in segments to improve control. A temperature sensor per segment may be provided. The temperature sensor may be embedded in the substrate table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Henricus Wilhelmus JACOBS, Martinus Hendrikus Antonius Leenders, Frits Van Der Meulen, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Anko Jozef Cornelus Sijben, Wouterus Johannes Petrus Maria Maas, Hendrikus Johannes Marinus Van Abeelen, Henricus Petrus Versteijnen, Paula Steffens
  • Patent number: 7602470
    Abstract: A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignees: ASML Netherlands B.V., ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Rudolf Kemper, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Roelof Frederik De Graaf, Christian Alexander Hoogendam, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Martinus Hendrikus Antonius Leenders, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frits Van Der Meulen, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Franciscus Johannes Herman Maria Teunissen, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martinus Cornelis Maria Verhagen, Marco Polizzi, Edwin Augustinus Matheus Van Gompel, Stefan Philip Christiaan Belfroid, Johannes Petrus Maria Smeulers, Herman Vogel
  • Publication number: 20090015246
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus having a stationary magnet motor to drive a support such as a substrate support or a patterning device support, may be provided with a measurement system to measure a position of the support in question, e.g., to provide a safety system to prevent a collision of the support with another part. The measurement system may be configured to measure a magnetic field strength of an alternating magnetic field generated by the magnet assembly of the stationary magnet motor, and/or measure generation of eddy currents in a metallic layer shielding the magnet assembly in combination with an inductance measurement of an electromagnet generating the alternating magnetic field causing the eddy currents, and/or measure light using an optical position sensitive sensor such as a CCD metric or linear photodiode positioned in a light plane emitted by an emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Olaf Hubertus Wilhelmus Van Bruggen, Frank Auer, Marcel Koenraad Marie Baggen, Frits Van Der Meulen, Patrick David Vogelsang, Martinus Cornelis Reijnen, Johannes Roland Dassel, Stoyan Nihtianov, Remko Wakker, Tom Van Zutphen
  • Publication number: 20080297744
    Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus is described with a drain configured to remove liquid from a gap between an edge of the substrate and the substrate table on which the substrate is supported. The drain is provided with a means to provide liquid to the drain irrespective of the position of the substrate table and/or a means to saturate gas within the drain. Those measures reduce the variations in heat load due to evaporation of liquid in the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Frederik Eduard De Jong, Marcel Hendrikus Maria Beems, Marinus Aart Van Den Brink, Johannes Henricus Wilhelmus Jacobs, Martinus Hendrikus Antonius Leenders, Leon Martin Levasier, Frits Van Der Meulen, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Koen Jacobus Johannes Maria Zaal, Richard Bernardus Johannes Droste, Johannes Wilhelmus De Klerk, Peter Franciscus Wanten, Jan Cornelis Van Der Hoeven, Edwin Cornelis Kadijk, Marteijn De Jong, David Lucien Anstotz
  • Publication number: 20080218717
    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 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    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 Matthijs Van Nunen, Klaus Simon, Bernardus Antonius Slaghekke, Alexander Straaijer, Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Martijn Houkes
  • Publication number: 20080158526
    Abstract: A substrate support constructed to support a substrate for immersion lithographic processing is disclosed. The substrate support has a central part and a peripheral part positioned around the central part. The substrate support further includes a thermal decoupler arranged to decrease heat transport between the central part and the peripheral part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Renaat Maria Hennus, Frits Van Der Meulen, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Peter Paul Steijaert, Hubert Matthieu Richard Steijns, Peter Smits
  • Publication number: 20080137055
    Abstract: A substrate support constructed to support a substrate for immersion lithographic processing is disclosed. The substrate support has a central part and a peripheral part, the peripheral part comprising an extraction duct configured to extract a liquid from a top surface of the substrate support, the extraction duct connected to an exit duct configured to duct the liquid away from the substrate support. The substrate support further includes a thermal stabilizer, arranged in the peripheral part, configured to thermally stabilize a central part of the substrate support relative to the peripheral part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Renaat Maria Hennus, Frits Van Der Meulen, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Peter Paul Steijaert, Hubert Matthieu Richard Steijns, Peter Smits
  • Publication number: 20080123071
    Abstract: A control system configured to control a position of a fluid supply system, the fluid supply system constructed and arranged to supply a fluid between a substrate and a projection system, the substrate positioned with a substrate stage, the control system including a controller configured to determine a desired position of the fluid supply system based on a position signal to be provided to the substrate stage and a position offset, the position offset added to the position signal to be provided to the substrate stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Hans Butler, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Evert Hendrik Jan Draaijer, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Frits Van Der Meulen, Mark Johannes Hermanus Frencken, Martijn Houkes, Antonius Henricus Arends, Minne Cuperus
  • Patent number: 7352434
    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: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bob Streefkerk, Levinus Pieter Bakker, 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: 7330238
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus comprises a substrate table to hold a substrate and a projection system to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic apparatus further comprises a fluid supply system to supply a fluid between the substrate and a final lens element of the projection system as well as a position controller to control a position of the fluid supply system. The position controller is configured to, being provided with a position quantity of the substrate, determine a desired position of the liquid supply system by adding a position offset to the position quantity of the substrate, and position the liquid supply system according to the desired position. The position quantity may comprise a position and/or rotational position of the substrate table and/or a height function of a substrate height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Jan-Gerard Cornelis Van Der Toorn, Hans Butler, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Evert Hendrik Jan Draaijer, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Frits Van Der Meulen, Mark Johannes Hermanus Frencken, Martijn Houkes, Antonius Henricus Arends, Minne Cuperus