Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes at least one image alignment sensor for receiving radiation projected from an alignment mark on a reticle. Processor processes signals from the sensor(s) to resolve spatial information in the projected alignment mark to establish a reference for measuring positional relationships between a substrate support and the patterning location. Examples of the sensor include line arrays of photodetectors. A single array can resolve spatial information in a plane of the sensor (X, Y direction) and in a perpendicular (Z) direction. At least a final step in establishing the reference position is performed while holding the substrate support stationary. Errors and delays induced by mechanical scanning of prior art sensors are avoided. Alternatively (not illustrated) the sensor is moved for mechanical scanning relative to the substrate support, independently of the main positioning systems.

Abstract: A scatterometer configured to measure a property of a substrate, includes a radiation source configured to provide a radiation beam; and a detector configured to detect a spectrum of the radiation beam reflected from a target (30) on the surface of the substrate (W) and to produce a measurement signal representative of the spectrum. The apparatus includes a beam shaper (51, 53) interposed in the radiation path between the radiation source and the detector, the beam shaper being configured to adjust the cross section of the beam dependent on the shape and/or size of the target.

Abstract: A sealing member is provided to prevent immersion liquid ingress to a gap between components. The sealing member has a plastic or polymer sealing portion that is adhered to the components forming the gap being sealed. The sealing member is constructed so as to reduce the force-coupling, in particular the time-related force-coupling, between the components being sealed.

Abstract: A sensor for use at substrate level in a high numerical aperture lithographic apparatus, the sensor having a transparent plate that covers a sensing element and includes elements that improve coupling of radiation into the sensing element. The improved coupling elements include a flowing liquid medium disposed between the transparent plate and the sensing element.

Abstract: A system and method are used to detect parameters regarding an exposure portion or an exposure beam. The system comprising a substrate stage and a metrology stage. The substrate stage is configured to position a substrate to receive an exposure beam from an exposure portion of a lithography system. The metrology stage has a sensor system thereon that is configured to detected parameters of the exposure system or the exposure beam. In one example, the system is within a lithography system, which further comprises an illumination system, a patterning device, and a projection system. The patterning device patterns a beam of radiation from the illumination system. The projection system, which is located within the exposure portion, projects that pattered beam onto the substrate or the sensor system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining higher order distortions of a patterning device of a lithographic apparatus, and associated apparatus. The higher order distortions are measured using the transmission imaging device. In a main embodiment, enhanced reticles are used which may have additional alignment gratings in the perimeter, in the scribe lanes of the image field or in the image field itself.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and a sensor is filled with a liquid.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. The apparatus also includes a barrier member, surrounding a space between the projection system and, in use, the substrate, to define in part with the projection system a reservoir for liquid. A radially outer surface of the barrier member facing a portion of projection system and a radially outer surface of the portion of the projection system facing the barrier member each have a liquidphobic outer surface. The liquidphobic outer surface of the barrier member and/or the liquidphobic outer surface of the portion of the projection system has an inner edge that defines in part the reservoir.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a table, at least two target portions on the table or on an object on the table, and a surface material between the at least two target portions. The apparatus further includes an optical system configured to project a beam of radiation, along an optical path towards the table, with a cross-section to irradiate the at least two target portions at the same time. The apparatus further includes a shield moveable into the optical path to restrict the cross-section of the beam of radiation to restrict illumination between the at least two target portions, wherein the surface material between the at least two target portions would degrade when irradiated with radiation from the optical system.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and a sensor is filled with a liquid.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. The projection system has a final element. The apparatus also includes a barrier member surrounding a space between the projection system and, in use, the substrate, to define in part with the final element a reservoir for liquid. The barrier member is spaced from the final element to define a gap therebetween. The apparatus further includes a deformable seal between a radially outer surface of the final element and a radially outer surface of the barrier member. The deformable seal is configured to substantially prevent a gas from flowing past the seal towards or away from the reservoir of liquid.

Abstract: A lithographic system includes a monitored lithographic projection apparatus arranged to project a patterned beam onto a substrate. A scatterometer measures a plurality of parameters of the pattern transferred to the substrate including at least one CD-profile parameter and at least one further parameter of the pattern transferred to the substrate which is indicative of a machine setting of the monitored lithographic projection apparatus. A matching system includes a database storing information representative of reference CD values and reference values for the further feature. A comparison arrangement compares the measured values with the corresponding stored values, a lithographic parameter calculation means calculating a corrected set of machine settings for the monitored lithographic apparatus dependent on the differences between the measured and reference values.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. The projection system has a final element. The apparatus also includes a barrier member surrounding a space between the projection system and, in use, the substrate, to define in part with the final element a reservoir for liquid. The barrier member is spaced from the final element to define a gap therebetween. The apparatus further includes a deformable seal between a radially outer surface of the final element and a radially outer surface of the barrier member. The deformable seal is configured to substantially prevent a gas from flowing past the seal towards or away from the reservoir of liquid.

Abstract: A metrology apparatus is configured to measure a property of a substrate. The metrology apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, an objective lens configured to project radiation onto the substrate, a detector configured to detect radiation reflected from a surface of the substrate, and an image field selecting device in the path of the reflected radiation constructed and arranged to select an area of an image field associated with the substrate. The selected area corresponds with a predetermined portion of the substrate. This arrangement may enable selection of different shapes and sizes of targets on the substrate and may enable in-die measurement of selected parameters.

Abstract: In a method for determining one or more properties of a substrate, scatterometry spectra can be measured from one or more targets on the substrate. Reconstructions of each of said spectra can be performed to derive one or more values for the property of the substrate, by comparing representations of each of the measured spectra with one or more modeled representations of spectra calculated using variable parameter values. At least one parameter in the reconstruction for each spectrum can be linked to the value of the parameter used in the reconstruction for a different spectrum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device manufacturing method and associated apparatus, the method comprising transferring a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate. The method relates to the alignment of said patterning device and said substrate, and comprises imparting a radiation beam onto an alignment structure on said patterning device so as to obtain a resultant aerial image; scanning an image sensor in accordance with a scanning scheme, through a target volume containing said resultant aerial image, the relative positions of said image sensor and said substrate being known or subsequently determined; and measuring features of said image and thereby determining of the location of the alignment structure relative to the image sensor; wherein an alternative scanning scheme is used in which, for example two or more scans through the whole target volume are performed, having a total duration the same as a conventional single continuous scan.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed that has a measurement system or a prediction system for measuring and/or predicting, respectively, an effect associated with a temperature fluctuation of the immersion liquid, and a control system for controlling the or another effect associated with the temperature of the immersion liquid, on the basis of the measurement and/or prediction obtained by the measurement system and/or prediction system, respectively. An associated control system and device manufacturing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is provided that has a sensor at substrate level, the sensor including a radiation receiver, a transmissive plate supporting the radiation receiver, and a radiation detector, wherein the sensor is arranged to avoid loss of radiation between the radiation receiver and a final element of the radiation detector.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus configured to apply corrections to the dose, within and/or between fields, to compensate for critical dimension variations due to heating of elements of the projection system is disclosed.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and a sensor is filled with a liquid.