Abstract: A device manufacturing method includes projecting a patterned beam of radiation through an optics compartment and a channel that provides an open connection between the optics compartment and a substrate compartment onto a substrate, maintaining an ionized flush gas at a higher pressure in the channel than in the substrate compartment and in the optics compartment during the projecting, intercepting particles that emanate from the substrate with the ionized flush gas, pumping the flush gas carrying the intercepted particles from the substrate compartment using a pump coupled to a gas outlet coupled to at least one of the compartments, and establishing an electrical potential difference between a wall of the channel and the outlet and/or a rotor of the pump so that the outlet and/or the rotor of the pump attracts positively charged ions that stem from the flush gas in the channel.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to provide a beam of radiation and projection system configured to project the radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. At least one of the illumination system and the projection system includes a focusing element for reflecting or refracting the beam. A plurality of stop discs is provided, each having an aperture therethrough, together with a disc positioner configured to place one of the stop discs adjacent the focusing element to control the numerical aperture (NA) of the projection system or illumination system. The apparatus further includes a disc changer configured to select one of the stop discs and provide the selected stop disc to the disc positioner, the disc changer being external to the projection system or illumination system.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. A projection system is configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. A first vacuum environment contains the projection system, a second vacuum environment contains the patterning device support, and a separator separates the first and second vacuum environments. The separator includes an aperture for passing the projection beam from the first vacuum environment towards the patterning device and/or vice-versa. The patterning device forms at least part of a seal for substantially sealing the aperture of the separator.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system for providing a beam of radiation. The lithographic apparatus further includes: a support structure for supporting patterning device, the patterning device serving to impart the beam with a pattern in its cross-section; a substrate table for holding a substrate; and a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic apparatus includes a vacuum system in which at least the illumination system and the substrate table are present. The vacuum system includes at least two separate vacuum modules. A first vacuum module includes at least the projection system and/or the illumination system. A second vacuum module includes the substrate table. At least two of the vacuum modules are connected to each other via a closable connection.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus uses the control signal from a computer to drive two spatial light modulators to pattern two separate projection beams for projection onto two substrates.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substrate support for supporting at least one substrate, a radiation system for providing at least one beam of radiation, and a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber includes a patterning device and/or a projection system. The patterning device is arranged for patterning the beam of radiation according to a desired pattern, and the projection system is arranged for projecting the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of the substrate. The apparatus also includes at least one thermal shield for thermally conditioning at least part of the apparatus. The thermal shield includes particle transmission channels for transmitting particles through the shield, from a first side of the shield to a second side of the shield.