Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system that is configured to condition a radiation beam; a projection system that is configured to project at least a portion of the radiation beam as a projected radiation beam; and a lens interferometer for sensing a wavefront state of the projected radiation beam. The lens interferometer is provided with a polarizing element so as to be capable of sensing a polarisation state of the projected radiation beam.

Abstract: A method of assessing a model of a substrate is presented. A scatterometry measurement is taken using radiation at a first wavelength. The wavelength of the radiation is then changed and a further scatterometry measurement taken. If the scatterometry measurements are consistent across a range of wavelengths then the model is sufficiently accurate. However, if the scatterometry measurements change as the wavelength changes then the model of the substrate is not sufficiently accurate.

Abstract: In a device manufacturing method using a lithographic apparatus, corrections to the dose are applied, within and/or between fields, to compensate for CD variations due to heating of elements of the projection system of the lithographic apparatus.

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

Abstract: In a device manufacturing method using a lithographic apparatus, corrections to the dose are applied, within and/or between fields, to compensate for CD variations due to heating of elements of the projection system of the lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a polarization sensor configured at least in part to couple to a reticle stage, wherein components of the reticle polarization sensor can be loaded and unloaded in the lithographic apparatus in the manner used for conventional reticles. In one configuration an active reticle tool includes a rotatable retarder configured to vary the retardation applied to polarized light received from a field point in the illumination system. In another configuration, a passive reticle tool is configured as an array of polarization sensor modules, where the amount of retardation applied to received light by fixed retarders varies according to position of the polarization sensor module. Accordingly, a plurality of retardation conditions for light received at a given field point can be measured, wherein a complete determination of a polarization state of the light at the given field point can be determined.

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 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: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a polarization sensor configured at least in part to couple to a reticle stage, wherein components of the reticle polarization sensor can be loaded and unloaded in the lithographic apparatus in the manner used for conventional reticles. In one configuration an active reticle tool includes a rotatable retarder configured to vary the retardation applied to polarized light received from a field point in the illumination system. In another configuration, a passive reticle tool is configured as an array of polarization sensor modules, where the amount of retardation applied to received light by fixed retarders varies according to position of the polarization sensor module. Accordingly, a plurality of retardation conditions for light received at a given field point can be measured, wherein a complete determination of a polarization state of the light at the given field point can be determined.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a polarization sensor configured at least in part to couple to a reticle stage, wherein components of the reticle polarization sensor can be loaded and unloaded in the lithographic apparatus in the manner used for conventional reticles. In one configuration an active reticle tool includes a rotatable retarder configured to vary the retardation applied to polarized light received from a field point in the illumination system. In another configuration, a passive reticle tool is configured as an array of polarization sensor modules, where the amount of retardation applied to received light by fixed retarders varies according to position of the polarization sensor module. Accordingly, a plurality of retardation conditions for light received at a given field point can be measured, wherein a complete determination of a polarization state of the light at the given field point can be determined.

Abstract: An analyzer plate positioned between a projection system and a radiation sensor is illuminated by a projected beam of radiation. The analyzer plate includes two crossing regions, each of which transmits radiation with a different polarization direction. The beam of projection radiation is patterned without influencing the polarization of the beam. By patterning the beam of projection radiation so that one region receives more radiation than the other region, the radiation sensor is given polarization selectivity.

Abstract: A device manufacturing method includes a measurement phase and an exposure phase. The measurement phase includes conditioning a radiation beam with a first beam condition, forming the patterned radiation beam by imparting the radiation beam with the first beam condition with a first pattern in its cross-section, and projecting the patterned beam onto a sensor capable of providing a sensor output signal. The exposure phase includes fast switching the conditioning of the radiation beam to a second beam condition, the second beam condition being different from the first beam condition, forming the patterned radiation beam by imparting the radiation beam with the second beam condition with a second pattern in its cross-section, the second pattern being provided by a patterning device, and projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate.

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 apparatus is arranged to project a patterned radiation beam from a patterning device onto a substrate using a projection system. The lithographic apparatus comprises: an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; and a measurement system for measuring the wavefront aberration or other property of the apparatus. The measurement system comprises: a source module at the level of the substrate table for providing an effective source of radiation; and a sensor unit at the level of the support, for receiving radiation from the source module through the projection system for performing the measurement.

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 sensor for use in a lithographic apparatus, the sensor having a liquid to prevent optical losses, especially when receiving radiation with a high NA. The liquid is fixed between two surfaces by capillary forces in an area through which radiation passes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the apodization of projection optics for use in a lithographic apparatus, the projection optics having an object plane where, in use, a reticle is placed, a pupil plane, and an image plane where, in use, a wafer is placed. The method includes placing one or more Appropriate apertures in said object plane for creating a substantially uniform light distribution, illuminating the or each aperture and measuring the intensity distribution at a plane which is conjugate to the pupil plane in order to calculate the apodization of the projection optics.

Abstract: In a device manufacturing method using a lithographic apparatus, corrections to the dose are applied, within and/or between fields, to compensate for CD variations due to heating of elements of the projection system of the lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; and a detector for measuring the intensity of the radiation after it has passed through the projection system. The apparatus further includes a polarization changing element, such as a quarter-wave plate, that is adjustable; and a polarization analyzer, such as a linear polarizer, wherein the polarization changing element and the polarization analyzer are arranged in order in the radiation beam path at the level at which a patterning device would be held by the support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the apodization of projection optics for use in a lithographic apparatus, the projection optics having an object plane where, in use, a reticle is placed, a pupil plane, and an image plane where, in use, a wafer is placed. The method includes placing one or more appropriate apertures in said object plane for creating a substantially uniform light distribution, illuminating the or each aperture and measuring the intensity distribution at a plane which is conjugate to the pupil plane in order to calculate the apodization of the projection optics.