Abstract: A substrate table for an immersion system having a projection system arranged to project an image onto a substrate and a liquid confinement system configured to confine an immersion liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, the substrate table including: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; and a current control device arranged to reduce an electric current flowing between the substrate and the substrate holder while the immersion liquid is confined to the space.

Abstract: A tool for modifying substrate support elements of a substrate holder, the substrate support elements having support surfaces for supporting a substrate, the tool includes a main body having a main body surface, and multiple protrusions from the main body surface, the multiple protrusions having distal ends configured to contact the support surfaces to modify the substrate support elements. Furthermore, a lithographic apparatus and a method comprising such a tool are provided.

Abstract: A method of dislodging contamination from a part of an apparatus used in a patterning process, the method including: providing a cleaning substrate into contact with the part of the apparatus while the part is attached to the apparatus, the cleaning substrate comprising a material configured to chemically react with the contamination; and dislodging contamination on the part of the apparatus by chemical reaction between the material and the contamination.

Abstract: A substrate table for an immersion system having a projection system arranged to project an image onto a substrate and a liquid confinement system configured to confine an immersion liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, the substrate table including: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; and a current control device arranged to reduce an electric current flowing between the substrate and the substrate holder while the immersion liquid is confined to the space.

Abstract: A treatment tool for reconditioning the top surfaces of a plurality of projections of a substrate support in a lithographic tool. The treatment tool includes a reconditioning surface which is rough relative to smoothed top surfaces of the projections and which reconditioning surface has material harder than that of the material of the top surfaces of the projections. A reconditioning method involves causing an interaction between the reconditioning surface of the treatment tool and the top surfaces of the projections of the substrate support, so as to leave these top surfaces rougher than they were prior to the interaction.

Abstract: A substrate table for an immersion system having a projection system arranged to project an image onto a substrate and a liquid confinement system configured to confine an immersion liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, the substrate table including: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; and a current control device arranged to reduce an electric current flowing between the substrate and the substrate holder while the immersion liquid is confined to the space.

Abstract: An inspection substrate for inspecting a component, such as a liquid confinement system, of an apparatus for processing production substrates is discussed. The inspection substrate includes a body having dimensions similar to a production substrate so that the inspection substrate is compatible with the apparatus, an illumination device, such as light emitting diodes, embedded in the body, a sensor, such as an imaging device or a pressure sensor, that is embedded in the body and configured to generate inspection information, such as image data, relating to a parameter of the component of the apparatus proximate to the inspection substrate, and a storage device embedded in the body and configured to store the inspection information.

Abstract: A substrate table for an immersion system having a projection system arranged to project an image onto a substrate and a liquid confinement system configured to confine an immersion liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, the substrate table including: a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate; and a current control device arranged to reduce an electric current flowing between the substrate and the substrate holder while the immersion liquid is confined to the space.

Abstract: A method of dislodging contamination from a part of an apparatus used in a patterning process, the method including: providing a cleaning substrate into contact with the part of the apparatus while the part is attached to the apparatus, the cleaning substrate comprising a material configured to chemically react with the contamination; and dislodging contamination on the part of the apparatus by chemical reaction between the material and the contamination.

Abstract: An inspection substrate for inspecting a component, such as a liquid confinement system, of an apparatus for processing production substrates is discussed. The inspection substrate includes a body having dimensions similar to a production substrate so that the inspection substrate is compatible with the apparatus, an illumination device, such as light emitting diodes, embedded in the body, a sensor, such as an imaging device or a pressure sensor, that is embedded in the body and configured to generate inspection information, such as image data, relating to a parameter of the component of the apparatus proximate to the inspection substrate, and a storage device embedded in the body and configured to store the inspection information.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus having: a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a substrate surface actuator including a fluid opening for fluid flow therethrough from/onto a facing surface facing the substrate surface actuator to generate a force between the substrate surface actuator and the facing surface, the facing surface being a top surface of the substrate or a surface substantially co-planar with the substrate; and a position controller to control the position and/or orientation of a part of the facing surface by varying fluid flow through the fluid opening to displace the part of the facing surface relative to the projection system.

Abstract: An inspection substrate for inspecting a component, such as a liquid confinement system, of an apparatus for processing production substrates is discussed. The inspection substrate includes a body having dimensions similar to a production substrate so that the inspection substrate is compatible with the apparatus, an illumination device, such as light emitting diodes, embedded in the body, a sensor, such as an imaging device or a pressure sensor, that is embedded in the body and configured to generate inspection information, such as image data, relating to a parameter of the component of the apparatus proximate to the inspection substrate, and a storage device embedded in the body and configured to store the inspection information.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed which includes a cleaning station. Several embodiments of the cleaning station are disclosed. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid contact of a cleaning fluid with the final element of the projection system. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid foaming of the cleaning fluid. The use of a thermally isolated island is also disclosed as well as its optimal position.

Abstract: An inspection substrate for inspecting a component, e.g. a liquid confinement system, of an apparatus for processing production substrates, e.g. a lithographic apparatus, the inspection substrate comprising: a body having dimensions similar to a production substrate so that the inspection substrate is compatible with the apparatus; an illumination device, e.g. light emitting diodes, embedded in the body; a sensor, e.g. an imaging device or a pressure sensor, for generating inspection information relating to a parameter of a component of the apparatus proximate to the inspection substrate, the sensor embedded in the body; and a storage device embedded in the body, the storage device configured to store the inspection information, e.g. image data.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus having: a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a substrate surface actuator including a fluid opening for fluid flow therethrough from/onto a facing surface facing the substrate surface actuator to generate a force between the substrate surface actuator and the facing surface, the facing surface being a top surface of the substrate or a surface substantially co-planar with the substrate; and a position controller to control the position and/or orientation of a part of the facing surface by varying fluid flow through the fluid opening to displace the part of the facing surface relative to the projection system.

Abstract: A fluid handling structure for a lithographic apparatus, the fluid handling structure having, at a boundary from a space configured to contain immersion fluid to a region external to the fluid handling structure: a meniscus pinning feature to resist passage of immersion fluid in a radially outward direction from the space; a gas supply opening radially outward of the meniscus pinning feature; and a gas recovery opening radially outward of the meniscus pinning feature and at least partly surrounding the gas supply opening.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus having: a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a substrate surface actuator including a fluid opening for fluid flow therethrough from/onto a facing surface facing the substrate surface actuator to generate a force between the substrate surface actuator and the facing surface, the facing surface being a top surface of the substrate or a surface substantially co-planar with the substrate; and a position controller to control the position and/or orientation of a part of the facing surface by varying fluid flow through the fluid opening to displace the part of the facing surface relative to the projection system.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus typically includes a fluid handling system. The fluid handling system generally has a two-phase fluid extraction system configured to remove a mixture of gas and liquid from a given location. Because the extraction fluid comprises two phases, the pressure in the extraction system can vary. This pressure variation can be passed through the immersion liquid and cause inaccuracy in the exposure. To reduce the pressure fluctuation in the extraction system, a buffer chamber may be used. This buffer chamber may be connected to the fluid extraction system in order to provide a volume of gas which reduces pressure fluctuation. Alternatively or additionally, a flexible wall may be provided somewhere in the fluid extraction system. The flexible wall may change shape in response to a pressure change in the fluid extraction system. By changing shape, the flexible wall can help to reduce, or eliminate, the pressure fluctuation.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed which includes a cleaning station. Several embodiments of the cleaning station are disclosed. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid contact of a cleaning fluid with the final element of the projection system. In an embodiment, measures are taken to avoid foaming of the cleaning fluid. The use of a thermally isolated island is also disclosed as well as its optimal position.

Abstract: A fluid handling structure for a lithographic apparatus, the fluid handling structure having, at a boundary from a space configured to contain immersion fluid to a region external to the fluid handling structure: a meniscus pinning feature to resist passage of immersion fluid in a radially outward direction from the space; a gas supply opening radially outward of the meniscus pinning feature; and a gas recovery opening radially outward of the meniscus pinning feature and at least partly surrounding the gas supply opening.