Abstract: A detector detects liquid in the path of a projection beam or alignment beam. A controller then determines which one or more of a plurality of compensating optical elements may be provided in the optical path of the projection beam or alignment beam in order to focus the projection beam or alignment beam on the surface of the substrate. The appropriate optical element may be placed in the path of the projection beam or alignment beam directly as a final element of the projection system or alignment system respectively.

Abstract: Photolithographic apparatus (1) including an illumination unit (3). The illumination unit (3) comprises, in this order, a radiation source unit (11), a first optical system (5) and an optical waveguide (17). The apparatus (1) further includes a second optical system (7) and a mask table (9). The apparatus (1) is adapted in such a way that both the stepper mode and the scanner mode are selectable modi, and comprises means by which the illumination unit (11), when being operative, has a slit-shaped static illumination field with a width s which is variable between smin and smax while substantially maintaining energy within the static illumination field.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus for step-and-scan imaging of a mask pattern (c) on a substrate (W) is described. The synchronous movement of the mast (MA) and the substrate (W) during scanning is controlled by means of contactless measuring systems, inter alia, interferometer systems (ISR, ISW), while the measuring faces (R.sub.1,r, R.sub.1,w) associated with these systems are formed by faces of the holders (WH, MH) for the substrate (W) and the mask (MA), so that very accurate measurements are possible.

Abstract: Photolithographic apparatus (1) including an illumination unit (3). The illumination unit (3) comprises, in this order, a radiation source unit (11), a first optical system (5) and an optical waveguide (17). The apparatus (1) further includes a second optical system (7) and a mask table (9). The apparatus (1) is adapted in such a way that both the stepper mode and the scanner mode are selectable modi, and comprises means by which the illumination unit (11), when being operative, has a slit-shaped static illumination field with a width s which is variable between s.sub.min and s.sub.max while substantially maintaining energy within the static illumination field.

Abstract: A method is described for repetitively imaging a mask pattern, on separate fields of a substrate (W), for example, for IC manufacture, which substrate fields are positioned without any field-by-field alignment so that the speed of throughput of substrates can be increased. An accurate interferometer system (50, 100, 150) having five measuring axes (MAX.sub.1, MAX.sub.2, MAX.sub.3, MAX.sub.4, MAX.sub.5) is also described, which system is intended in the first instance for use in an apparatus for performing the method, but which can also be used in a more general way in those cases where an object must be measured in five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting a mask pattern (MA) on a substrate (W) by means of a projection lens system (PL) is described, which apparatus comprises a device for aligning a mask alignment mark (M.sub.1, M.sub.2) with respect to a substrate alignment mark (P.sub.1, P.sub.2). Means (WE.sub.1, WE.sub.2) preventing phase differences due to reflections at the mask plate (MA) from occurring within the alignment beam portions received by a detection system (13, 13') are arranged in the path of selected alignment beam portions (b.sub.1, b.sub.1 ').

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has an imaging system (PL) and a focus detection device for determining a deviation between the image plane of the imaging system and a second plane (WS) on which imaging is to take place. The focus error detection system includes a radiation source (S) which supplies a beam (b.sub.f) having a wide wavelength band, an object grating (G.sub.1) and an image grating (G.sub.2) which are imaged onto each other via the second plane. In the focus detection system a reference beam (b.sub.r) which is reflected by the outer surface (RP) of the imaging system can be used in combination or not in combination with the wideband beam and the gratings. By using a number of such focus detection systems a tilt detection device can be realized for detecting the position of the second plane (WS) with respect to the image plane.

Abstract: A projection apparatus is described having a reference plate with a set of grating marks in X and Y directions for aligning with an exposure mask having similar marks, and having four detectors for each mark, and having a lens system for projecting only the relevant mark on the relevant detector. A method of projecting is also described in which the detection signals are simultaneously processed with other signals to result in a control signal to adjust image quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting a mask pattern (MA) on a substrate (W) by means of a projection lens system (PL) is described, which apparatus comprises a device for aligning a substrate alignment mark (P.sub.1 ; P.sub.2) with respect to a mask alignment mark (M.sub.1 ; M.sub.2), the projection lens system (PL) forming part of the alignment device. A correction element (25) is arranged in this system (PL) to compensate for the fact that this system (PL) is not optimized for the wavelength of the alignment beam (b).

Abstract: A positioning device for manipulation of objects, provided with an object holder (5) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (.theta.) by means of a .theta.-manipulator and is displaceable by translation along a Z-axis coinciding with the axis of rotation (.theta.) by means of a Z-manipulator. The two manipulators are coupled to each other by means of a separator (17, 153) in such a manner that the .theta.-movement and the Z-movement are independent of each other. The positioning device is particularly suitable for manipulation of objects in the submicron range, such as takes place, for example, in optical lithographic devices according to the invention.