Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Shirasu
Hiroshi Shirasu 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).
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Publication number: 20080218049Abstract: A light source apparatus is equipped with a discharge lamp, which has a glass tube that forms a light emitting part and a base member that is coupled thereto, and a mounting apparatus that holds the discharge lamp via the base member. Therein, the base member has a flange part that contacts positioning plate of the mounting apparatus, and a fixed part that is urged with a pressing force that presses the flange part to the positioning plate. Furthermore, the mounting apparatus has a fixing arm that urges the fixed part by a compression coil spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Hiroshi Shirasu, Yasuo Aoki, Motoo Koyama, Takayuki Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20080192216Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of projection optical systems, each including optical elements arranged in an optical path between a first plane and a second plane and forming a radiation pattern from the first plane onto an exposure field on the second plane via the optical elements. A movable portion is disposed in the side of the second plane with respect to the projection optical systems, which holds an object to be moved relative to the exposure field in a first direction in the second plane during scanning exposure of the object in which the radiation patterns are formed on the object as the object is moved in the first direction. The projection optical systems may include an adjustable wedge prism. The projection optical systems may include first and second optical units, optical axes of the first and second optical units being decentered from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Patent number: 7372544Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a plurality of projection optical systems, each of which has optical elements arranged in an optical path between a first surface and a second surface and forms a radiation pattern from the first surface onto an exposure field on the second surface via the optical elements. The apparatus also includes a movable portion disposed in the side of the second surface with respect to the plurality of projection optical systems, which holds an object to be moved relative to the exposure field in a first direction during a scanning exposure of the object with the radiation patterns. Each of the plurality of projection optical systems is telecentric on the side of the second surface, and the exposure fields are arranged at different positions in a second direction crossing the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Patent number: 7372543Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a plurality of projection optical systems, each of which has optical elements arranged in an optical path between a first surface and a second surface and forms a radiation pattern from the first surface onto an exposure field on the second surface via the optical elements. The apparatus also includes a movable portion disposed in the side of the second surface with respect to the plurality of projection optical systems, which holds an object to be moved relative to the exposure field in a first direction during a scanning exposure of the object with the radiation patterns. Each of the plurality of projection optical systems is telecentric on the side of the second surface, and the exposure fields are arranged at different positions in a second direction crossing the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Publication number: 20070216885Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a plurality of projection optical systems, each of which has optical elements arranged in an optical path between a first surface and a second surface and forms a radiation pattern from the first surface onto an exposure field on the second surface via the optical elements. The apparatus also includes a movable portion disposed in the side of the second surface with respect to the plurality of projection optical systems, which holds an object to be moved relative to the exposure field in a first direction during a scanning exposure of the object with the radiation patterns. Each of the plurality of projection optical systems is telecentric on the side of the second surface, and the exposure fields are arranged at different positions in a second direction crossing the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Applicant: Nikon CorporationInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Publication number: 20060238729Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a plurality of projection optical systems, each of which has optical elements arranged in an optical path between a first surface and a second surface and forms a radiation pattern from the first surface onto an exposure field on the second surface via the optical elements. The apparatus also includes a movable portion disposed in the side of the second surface with respect to the plurality of projection optical systems, which holds an object to be moved relative to the exposure field in a first direction during a scanning exposure of the object with the radiation patterns. Each of the plurality of projection optical systems is telecentric on the side of the second surface, and the exposure fields are arranged at different positions in a second direction crossing the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Patent number: 7023527Abstract: A scanning projection exposure apparatus transfers a pattern of a mask onto a photosensitive substrate while moving the photosensitive substrate along a scanning direction. The scanning projection exposure apparatus can include an illumination optical system optically connected to a light source, and a projection optical system arranged in an optical path between the mask and the substrate. The illumination optical system illuminates the mask with linearly polarized light whose polarization direction extends along one of the scanning direction and a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, without losses in quantity of light. The illumination optical system of the scanning projection exposure apparatus also can include a wave plate which is rotatable about a traveling direction of the light.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Publication number: 20050012917Abstract: A scanning projection exposure apparatus transfers a pattern of a mask onto a photosensitive substrate while moving the photosensitive substrate along a scanning direction. The scanning projection exposure apparatus can include an illumination optical system optically connected to a light source, and a projection optical system arranged in an optical path between the mask and the substrate. The illumination optical system illuminates the mask with linearly polarized light whose polarization direction extends along one of the scanning direction and a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, without losses in quantity of light. The illumination optical system of the scanning projection exposure apparatus also can include a wave plate which is rotatable about a traveling direction of the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2004Publication date: January 20, 2005Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Patent number: 6811953Abstract: The memory unit stores the correlation of the positional change in the image planes of the projection optical modules in the focusing direction and the light quantity change. The image plane position determination unit finds the positional change value of the image planes of the projection optical modules based on the correlation information that is stored in the memory unit and the information on changes in the amount of light that is emitted to the projection optical modules. The compensation value calculating unit calculates the compensation value corresponding to the change in the amount of curvature in the image planes of the projection optical modules. The compensating unit compensates the change value in conformity with the compensation value. The focus compensation optical system is driven based on the change value that is compensated.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2001Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Hitoshi Hatada, Masaki Kato, Motoo Koyama, Hiroshi Shirasu, Masahiro Iguchi
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Patent number: 6795169Abstract: An exposure apparatus having a plurality of projection optical systems where each of the projection optical systems projects a predetermined pattern onto a substrate and forms an exposure field on the substrate. The exposure apparatus also includes a substrate stage which holds the substrate and which moves in at least a scanning direction extending in a straight line. The plurality of exposure fields are arranged along a direction crossing the scanning direction, and the projection optical systems and the substrate relatively move during a pattern projecting operation along the scanning direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Publication number: 20030137644Abstract: There is disclosed an exposure apparatus for, while moving a first object and a second object in a certain moving direction, effecting projection exposure of an image of the first object onto the second object.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2003Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: Nikon CorporationInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Patent number: 6570641Abstract: The projection exposure apparatus can include an illumination optical system for illuminating a portion of a mask pattern on a mask with an exposing radiation flux of a predetermined shape, a fixed support, a projection optical system fixed to the fixed support for projecting the image of the illuminated portion of the mask pattern onto a substrate, and a carriage for integrally holding the mask and the substrate, the carriage being movable in a predetermined direction with respect to the projection optical system successively exposing the substrate with the image of the mask pattern formed by the exposing radiation flux.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu, Yukio Kakizaki, Kinya Kato
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Patent number: 6556278Abstract: An exposure/imaging apparatus and method effects projection exposure while moving a first object and a second object in a predetermined moving direction, effecting projection exposure of an image of the first object onto the second object. An adjusting member is used to adjust imaging characteristics of a projection optical system that is used to perform the projection exposure.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Patent number: 6351305Abstract: An exposure method includes first through third steps. In the first step, respective first and second illumination regions of a mask having a predetermined pattern are illuminated with an illumination light having a predetermined wavelength. In the second step, an image of the mask is formed, respectively, in first and second exposure regions (formed on a substrate) based on the illumination that passes through the first and second illumination regions. The first and second exposure regions each have a substantially polygonal shape defined by two parallel sides and two sides other than the two parallel sides. In the third step, the first and second exposure regions and the substrate are moved relatively in a first direction such that the first and second exposure regions are formed in different positions in a second direction which crosses the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1998Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Masahi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Publication number: 20020021431Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus is provided. The projection exposure apparatus includes an illumination optical system for illuminating a portion of a mask pattern on a mask with an exposing radiation flux of a predetermined shape, a fixed support, a projection optical system fixed to the fixed support for projecting the image of the illuminated portion of the mask pattern onto a substrate, and a carriage for integrally holding the mask and the substrate, the carriage being movable in a predetermined direction with respect to the projection optical system to successively exposing the substrate with the image of the mask pattern formed by the exposing radiation flux.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu, Yukio Kakizaki, Kinya Kato
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Publication number: 20020005940Abstract: The memory unit stores the correlation of the positional change in the image planes of the projection optical modules in the focusing direction and the light quantity change. The image plane position determination unit finds the positional change value of the image planes of the projection optical modules based on the correlation information that is stored in the memory unit and the information on changes in the amount of light that is emitted to the projection optical modules. The compensation value calculating unit calculates the compensation value corresponding to the change in the amount of curvature in the image planes of the projection optical modules. The compensating unit compensates the change value in conformity with the compensation value. The focus compensation optical system is driven based on the change value that is compensated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Hitoshi Hatada, Masaki Kato, Motoo Koyama, Hiroshi Shirasu, Masahiro Iguchi
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Patent number: 6317196Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus is provided. The projection exposure apparatus includes an illumination optical system for illuminating a portion of a mask pattern on a mask with an exposing radiation flux of a predetermined shape, a fixed support, a projection optical system fixed to the fixed support for projecting the image of the illuminated portion of the mask pattern onto a substrate, and a carriage for integrally holding the mask and the substrate, the carriage being movable in a predetermined direction with respect to the projection optical system to successively exposing the substrate with the image of the mask pattern formed by the exposing radiation flux.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1998Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu, Yukio Kakizaki, Kinya Kats
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Patent number: 6266131Abstract: A method of transferring a pattern of a mask onto an object through a projection system, includes the steps of providing a carriage having a mask holder surface adapted to hold the mask in a position which is angularly displaced from a horizontal position by a predetermined angle and an object holder surface adapted to the object in a position which is angularly displaced from the horizontal position by the predetermined angle, the carriage being movable in a first direction; transferring the pattern onto the object, the projection system being located between the mask and the object during the transfer operation; moving the carriage so that the projection system comes to a position out of a place between the mask holder surface and the object holder surface; and conveying the object from the object holder surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Patent number: 6049372Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for transferring a pattern defined by a mask onto a surface of a substrate. The apparatus includes an illumination optical system for illuminating the pattern on the mask. A projection optical system forms an erect image of the pattern on the substrate. For exposure, the mask and substrate are movable together in a scanning direction relative to the projection optical system. First and second relative-displacement measuring systems, the first being separated from the second by a predetermined distance perpendicular to the scanning direction, measure displacement of the mask relative to the substrate in the scanning direction. First and second detection systems detect displacement of the mask and substrate, respectively, in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. A position-adjusting system adjusts the position of at least one of the mask and substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1997Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Kinya Kato, Hiroshi Shirasu, Yukio Kakizaki, Kei Nara
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Patent number: 5923409Abstract: In a scanning-type exposure apparatus, a mask and a light-sensitive substrate are disposed substantially vertically in opposed relation to each other, with an optical projection system disposed between the mask and the substrate. Optical projection system includes a plurality of optical elements for projecting an equal-size, erected image of a mask pattern onto the light-sensitive substrate, and these optical elements are arranged in a predetermined direction. A scanning device scanningly moves the mask and the light-sensitive substrate in synchronism with each other relative to the optical projection system in a direction which is perpendicular to both of the predetermined direction and an optical axis of the optical projection system.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu
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Patent number: 4688687Abstract: A closet storage arrangement for increasing closet storage capacity includes a shoe case having two vertical side walls with a plurality of vertically spaced tiers for shoe storage provided in the case. Each tier has three horizontal shoe support members on which a shoe is rested. A clothes hang bar for supporting clothing may also be provided with the hang bar secured on each end in a vertical support member. Each vertical support member is stabilized against the back wall of the closet by a stabilizing arrangement. A shelf may be supported by the vertical support members. A peg bar, having selectively removable pegs, for hanging articles may also be provided in the closet.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1986Date of Patent: August 25, 1987Inventor: Nicholas Pryor