Patents by Inventor Motokatsu Imai

Motokatsu Imai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9846371
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Publication number: 20170329234
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi OWA, Nobutaka MAGOME, Shigeru HIRUKAWA, Yoshihiko KUDO, Jiro INOUE, Hiroyuki NAGASAKA, Hirotaka KOHNO, Masahiro NEI, Motokatsu IMAI, Kenichi SHIRAISHI, Yasufumi NISHII, Hiroaki TAKAIWA
  • Patent number: 9268237
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Patent number: 9235139
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Publication number: 20150301457
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi OWA, Nobutaka MAGOME, Shigeru HIRUKAWA, Yoshihiko KUDO, Jiro INOUE, Hirotaka KOHNO, Masahiro NEI, Motokatsu IMAI, Hiroyuki NAGASAKA, Kenichi SHIRAISHI, Yasufumi NISHII, Hiroaki TAKAIWA
  • Patent number: 9019467
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Patent number: 8797506
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus forms an immersion area by supplying a liquid onto a part of a substrate, and forms a prescribed pattern on the substrate through the liquid. A spare immersion area which is capable of holding part of the liquid on the substrate, is formed at the outer circumference of the immersion area. It is possible to prevent the separation of the liquid, which is disposed between a lower surface of a projection optical system and a substrate surface, from the lower surface of the projection optical system in accordance with the relative movement of the projection optical system and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Motokatsu Imai, Susumu Makinouchi
  • Patent number: 8384880
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Publication number: 20120320350
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus forms an immersion area by supplying a liquid onto a part of a substrate, and forms a prescribed pattern on the substrate through the liquid. A spare immersion area which is capable of holding part of the liquid on the substrate, is formed at the outer circumference of the immersion area. It is possible to prevent the separation of the liquid, which is disposed between a lower surface of a projection optical system and a substrate surface, from the lower surface of the projection optical system in accordance with the relative movement of the projection optical system and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motokatsu IMAI, Susumu MAKINOUCHI
  • Patent number: 8272544
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus forms an immersion area by supplying a liquid onto a part of a substrate, and forms a prescribed pattern on the substrate through the liquid. A spare immersion area, which is capable of holding part of the liquid on the substrate, is formed at the outer circumference of the immersion area. It is possible to prevent the separation of the liquid, which is disposed between a lower surface of a projection optical system and a substrate surface, from the lower surface of the projection optical system in accordance with the relative movement of the projection optical system and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Motokatsu Imai, Susumu Makinouchi
  • Patent number: 8208117
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Publication number: 20110189613
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus forms an immersion area by supplying a liquid onto a part of a substrate, and forms a prescribed pattern on the substrate through the liquid. A spare immersion area, which is capable of holding part of the liquid on the substrate, is formed at the outer circumference of the immersion area. It is possible to prevent the separation of the liquid, which is disposed between a lower surface of a projection optical system and a substrate surface, from the lower surface of the projection optical system in accordance with the relative movement of the projection optical system and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motokatsu Imai, Susumu Makinouchi
  • Patent number: 7932996
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus forms an immersion area by supplying a liquid onto a part of a substrate, and forms a prescribed pattern on the substrate through the liquid. A spare immersion area, which is capable of holding part of the liquid on the substrate, is formed at the outer circumference of the immersion area. It is possible to prevent the separation of the liquid, which is disposed between a lower surface of a projection optical system and a substrate surface, from the lower surface of the projection optical system in accordance with the relative movement of the projection optical system and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Motokatsu Imai, Susumu Makinouchi
  • Publication number: 20090015808
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Publication number: 20090015816
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Publication number: 20070002299
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus forms an immersion area by supplying a liquid onto a part of a substrate, and forms a prescribed pattern on the substrate through the liquid. A spare immersion area, which is capable of holding part of the liquid on the substrate, is formed at the outer circumference of the immersion area. It is possible to prevent the separation of the liquid, which is disposed between a lower surface of a projection optical system and a substrate surface, from the lower surface of the projection optical system in accordance with the relative movement of the projection optical system and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motokatsu Imai, Susumu Makinouchi
  • Publication number: 20060227312
    Abstract: In exposing substrate by projecting an image of a pattern onto substrate via projection optical system and liquid, side surface and underside surface of substrate are applied with liquid-repellent treatment. By such a configuration, an exposure method by which when exposing edge areas of the substrate, the exposure can be performed in a condition that a liquid immersion region is formed well and that flowing out of the liquid to the outside of the substrate stage are prevented is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Publication number: 20060139614
    Abstract: In exposing substrate by projecting an image of a pattern onto substrate via projection optical system and liquid, side surface and underside surface of substrate are applied with liquid-repellent treatment. By such a configuration, an exposure method by which when exposing edge areas of the substrate, the exposure can be performed in a condition that a liquid immersion region is formed well and that flowing out of the liquid to the outside of the substrate stage are prevented is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Nobutaka Magome, Shigeru Hirukawa, Yoshihiko Kudo, Jiro Inoue, Hirotaka Kohno, Masahiro Nei, Motokatsu Imai, Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Kenichi Shiraishi, Yasufumi Nishii, Hiroaki Takaiwa
  • Patent number: 6107621
    Abstract: Each component of a modular encoder can be formed so as to be fixed to a rotary shaft of a rotating unit in a horizontal direction (a direction of a shaft line of a rotary shaft). Consequently, the modular encoder can easily be assembled and fixed, and reliability of fixation can be enhanced at the same time. In addition, the modular encoder has an elliptical shape so that a size thereof can be reduced in a direction in which a dimension should be decreased. Furthermore, if the holding member is rotatably fitted in the locking member in such a manner that the holding member can be rotated around the rotary shaft of the rotating unit, a sign plate can easily be aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motokatsu Imai, Kou Ohno, Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Shigeki Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5663557
    Abstract: A disclosed multiple rotating absolute encoder comprises an encoding plate with a first pattern and a second pattern formed thereon, a first detection unit for reading the first pattern and outputting an information in one rotation of the encoding plate, a second detection unit for reading the second pattern and outputting a first rotation information of the encoding plate, a calculation unit for calculating a second rotation data based on the information in one rotation and the first rotation data, a selection unit for monitoring a rotation speed of the encoding plate and selecting either the first rotation data or the second rotation data in accordance with the rotation speed, and a data calculation unit for calculating rotation information of the encoding plate on the basis of either the first rotation data or the second rotation data selected by the selection unit and the information in one rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Morita, Kou Ohno, Motokatsu Imai, Yuuji Yamazaki