Abstract: A method for providing an operable filter system for filtering particles out of a beam of radiation in lithography is disclosed. The method includes providing a slack foil or wire for intercepting the particles, mounting at least a first point or side of the foil or wire to a first position of a mounting assembly, and substantially stretching the slack foil or wire at least within the beam of radiation, substantially parallel to a direction in which the radiation propagates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating a periodical array of light spots from an input light beam, said device comprising—a periodical array of apertures (202) forming a plurality of interlaced sub-arrays of apertures,—phase shifter elements (PSi) placed in front of said apertures for imposing a phase shift to said input light beam so that each light spot is constructed as the superposition of a plurality of light spots generated by said plurality of interlaced sub-arrays of apertures. Use: Light spot generation.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support configured to support a patterning device, the patterning device being configured to impart the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, wherein the radiation beam is reflected from at least one grazing incidence mirror that enhances the spectral purity of the radiation beam.

Abstract: The optical analysis system (20) for determining an amplitude of a principal component of an optical signal comprises a multivariate optical element (10) for reflecting the optical signal and thereby weighing the optical signal by a spectral weighing function, and a detector (9, 9P, 9N) for detecting the weighed optical signal. The optical analysis system (20) may further comprise a dispersive element (2) for spectrally dispersing the optical signal, the multivariate optical element being arranged to receive the dispersed optical signal. The blood analysis system (40) comprises the optical analysis system (20) according to the invention.

Abstract: A mirror has a mirror surface, wherein the mirror surface includes a protrusion including a material selected from at least one of Be, B, C, P, S, K, Ca, Sc, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Pa and U, or a first protrusion including a first material selected from at least one of Be, B, C, P, S, K, Ca, Sc, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Pa and U, and a second protrusion including a second material selected from at least one of Be, B, C, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Sc, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Pa and U, and the first and second materials are not the same. A lithographic projection apparatus includes such a mirror. A device manufacturing method includes reflecting a beam of radiation by use of such a mirror. A device is manufactured according to the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrier (801) comprising: a data layer (802) intended to store a set of elementary data, a layer (803) comprising an array of apertures (804) placed parallel to said data layer (802) for generating an array of light spots intended to be applied to said data layer (802). The invention also relates to a system and apparatus for reading such an information carrier.

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.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a radiation source configured to emit radiation to form a radiation beam, the radiation being of a type which can create plasma in a low pressure environment in the apparatus, and an optical component configured to condition the radiation beam, impart the conditioned radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate, and/or to detect radiation. The optical component is provided with a plasma quenching structure, the plasma quenching structure being configured to provide electron-ion recombination in, on and/or near the optical component.

Abstract: A multi-layer mirror includes on top of the multi-layer mirror a spectral purity enhancement layer, for example for application in an EUV lithographic apparatus. This spectral purity enhancement layer includes a first spectral purity enhancement layer, but between the multi-layer mirror and first spectral purity enhancement layer there may optionally be an intermediate layer or a second spectral purity enhancement layer and intermediate layer. Hence, multi-layer mirrors with the following configurations are possible: multi-layer mirror/first spectral purity enhancement layer; multi-layer mirror/intermediate layer/first spectral purity enhancement layer; and multi-layer mirror/second spectral purity enhancement layer/intermediate layer/first spectral purity enhancement layer. The spectral purity of normal incidence radiation may be enhanced, such that DUV radiation is diminished relatively stronger than EUV radiation.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support structure constructed to support a patterning structure. The patterning structure is adapted to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a substrate holder that is constructed to hold a substrate, a projection system that is constructed and arranged to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a downstream radical source that is connected to a gas supply and is configured to provide a beam of radicals onto a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes an illumination system configured to provide a beam of radiation; a support configured to support a patterning device, the patterning device configured to impart the beam of radiation with a pattern in its cross section; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate, and a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of the substrate, wherein the illumination system has a radiation source and at least one mirror configured to enhance an output of the source. The illumination system may include a second radiation source and at least one mirror positioned between the radiation sources to image the output of the second source onto the first source, thereby enhancing the output of the source. The radiation sources may be operable to emit radiation in the EUV wavelength range.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a radiation system that includes a source for producing a radiation beam, a contaminant trap arranged in a path of the radiation beam, and an illumination system configured to condition the radiation beam produced by the source, and a support for supporting a patterning device. The patterning device serves to impart the conditioned radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section. The apparatus also includes a substrate table for holding a substrate, and a projection system for projecting the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The contaminant trap includes a plurality of foils that define channels that are arranged substantially parallel to the direction of propagation of the radiation beam. The trap is provided with a gas supply system that is arranged to inject gas into at least one of the channels of the trap.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is arranged to project a beam from a radiation source onto a substrate. The apparatus includes an optical element in a path of the beam, a gas inlet for introducing a gas into the path of the beam so that the gas will be ionized by the beam to create electric fields toward the optical element, and a gas source coupled to the gas inlet for supplying the gas. The gas has a threshold of kinetic energy for sputtering the optical element that is greater than the kinetic energy developed by ions of the gas in the electric fields.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes reflector assembly, a foil trap, and a housing that is constructed and arranged to contain the reflector assembly and the foil trap. The reflector assembly is connected to the housing via a first wall, and the foil trap is connected to the housing via a second wall. The apparatus also includes a chamber between the foil trap and the reflector assembly. The chamber is defined by the housing, the first wall, and the second wall. The apparatus further includes a pump that is configured to create a vacuum in the chamber.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system that provides a beam of radiation, and a support structure that supports a patterning structure. The patterning structure is configured to impart the beam of radiation with a pattern in its cross-section. The apparatus also includes a substrate support that supports a substrate, a projection system that projects the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a debris-mitigation system that mitigates debris particles which are formed during use of at least a part of the lithographic apparatus. The debris-mitigation system is arranged to apply a magnetic field so that at least charged debris particles are mitigated.

Abstract: A contamination barrier that passes through radiation from a radiation source and captures debris coming from the radiation source is disclosed. The contamination barrier includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of lamellas. The lamellas extend in a radial direction from a main axis, and each of the lamellas is positioned in a respective plane that include the main axis. At least one outer end of each of the lamellas is slidably connected to at least one of the inner and outer ring.

Abstract: A grazing incidence mirror includes a mirror substrate and a mirror surface layer, the mirror surface layer including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being positioned between the mirror substrate and the second layer. The first layer includes a material selected from the group of Mo, Nb and combinations thereof, and the second layer includes a material selected from the group of B, C, B4C, SiC and combinations thereof. Such a grazing incidence mirror can be used in lithographic apparatus and in device manufacturing methods and provides a reflectivity that may be larger than state of the art grazing incidence mirrors based on Ru.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a grazing incidence collector. The grazing incidence collector is made up of several reflectors. In order to reduce the amount of heat on the collector, the reflectors are coated. The reflector at the exterior of the collector has an infrared radiating layer on the outside. The inner reflectors are coated with an EUV reflective layer on the outside.

Abstract: A method for the protection of an optical element of a lithographic apparatus including the optical element and a source of radiation includes providing a material including one or more elements selected from B, C, Si, Ge and/or Sn, and arranging the material such that the source, in use, causes removal of at least part of the material, thereby providing depositable material, and such that at least part of the depositable material deposits on the optical element.

Abstract: An optical element including an anti-reflection (AR) coating is configured to reflect Extreme-Ultra-Violet (EUV) radiation only.