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).

  • Publication number: 20080218049
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shirasu, Yasuo Aoki, Motoo Koyama, Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20080192216
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Patent number: 7372544
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Patent number: 7372543
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Publication number: 20070216885
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Publication number: 20060238729
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Patent number: 7023527
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Publication number: 20050012917
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Patent number: 6811953
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Hatada, Masaki Kato, Motoo Koyama, Hiroshi Shirasu, Masahiro Iguchi
  • Patent number: 6795169
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Publication number: 20030137644
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Patent number: 6570641
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu, Yukio Kakizaki, Kinya Kato
  • Patent number: 6556278
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Patent number: 6351305
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masahi Tanaka, Masato Kumazawa, Kinya Kato, Masaki Kato, Hiroshi Chiba, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Publication number: 20020021431
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu, Yukio Kakizaki, Kinya Kato
  • Publication number: 20020005940
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Hatada, Masaki Kato, Motoo Koyama, Hiroshi Shirasu, Masahiro Iguchi
  • Patent number: 6317196
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu, Yukio Kakizaki, Kinya Kats
  • Patent number: 6266131
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Patent number: 6049372
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kinya Kato, Hiroshi Shirasu, Yukio Kakizaki, Kei Nara
  • Patent number: 5923409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohide Hamada, Hiroshi Shirasu
  • Patent number: 4688687
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventor: Nicholas Pryor