Abstract: In an embodiment, a lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a modulator configured to expose an exposure area of the substrate to a plurality of beams modulated according to a desired pattern and a projection system configured to project the modulated beams onto the substrate. The modulator may be moveable with respect the exposure area and/or the projection system may have an array of lenses to receive the plurality of beams, the array of lenses moveable with respect to the exposure area.

Abstract: A system and method are used to form incoherent beams from at least a partially coherent beam, such that interference or speckle patterns are substantially eliminated. A rotating optical element directs the partially coherent beam to reflect from an angular distribution changing element to form an incoherent beam. The partially coherent beam can be directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element through rotation of the rotating optical element. The angles can vary as a function of time.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for facilitating use of a plurality of individually controllable elements to modulate the intensity of radiation received at each focusing element of an array of focusing elements to control the intensity of the radiation in the areas on the substrate onto which the focusing elements direct the radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for scanning a circuit structure. The apparatus has a linear sensor (16) for detecting light intensity as a function of position along the sensor. A transport mechanism (12) moves a circuit structure (10), such as a PCB or a wafer relative to the sensor. The circuit structure is illuminated with an illumination system (14) that comprises a hollow cylinder (144) with a mainly diffusively and/or specularly reflecting inner wall surface. The cylinder is arranged in parallel with the sensor and has a first slit (40) and a second slit (42) located so that a virtual plane runs through the sensor, the first and second slit to a location for the circuit structure under inspection. The illumination system furthermore comprises a linear light source (146) in the cylinder or the inner wall of the cylinder. In an embodiment the illumination system comprises a splitting mirror (22) in the cylinder to reflect light to the circuit structure.

Abstract: A method and device for programming an array of individually controllable elements configured to impart a beam with a pattern. For example, the method can be suitable for use in a lithographic apparatus. The method includes generating first data representing a first pattern, generating second data representing a second pattern, writing the first data to a first buffer, and reading the first data from the first buffer to program the array of individually controllable elements to display the first pattern, while writing the second data to a second buffer in parallel.

Abstract: A radiation beam conditioning system comprising at least three optical paths in which the radiation is conditioned.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and method in which an illumination system supplies a projection beam, a patterning system imparts to the beam a pattern in its cross section, and a projection system projects the patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate. The projection system comprises an array of lenses spaced from the substrate such that each lens in the array focuses part of the patterned beam onto the substrate. A displacement system causes displacement between the lens array and the substrate. A particle detector detects particles on the substrate which are approaching the lens array. A free working distance control system increases the spacing between the lens array and the substrate in response to detection of a particle. The lens array is moved away from the substrate as the detected particle passes the lens array. Thus damage to the lens array can be avoided.

Abstract: An exposure system for manufacturing flat panel displays (FPDs) includes a reticle stage adapted to support a reticle. A substrate stage is adapted to support a substrate. A reflective optical system is adapted to image the reticle onto the substrate. The reflective optical system includes a primary mirror including a first mirror and a second mirror, and a secondary mirror. The reflective optical system has sufficient degrees of freedom for both alignment and correction of third order aberrations when projecting an image of the reticle onto the substrate by reflections off the first mirror, the secondary mirror, and the second mirror.

Abstract: A lithography apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a radiation beam onto a substrate, a detector configured to inspect the substrate, and a substrate table configured to support the substrate and move the substrate relative to the projection system and the detector. The detector is arranged to inspect a portion of the substrate while the substrate is moved and before the portion is exposed to the radiation beam.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus and method for exposing a substrate. An illumination system supplies a series of beams of radiation that are patterned by an array of individually controllable elements. The patterned beams are projected through arrays of lenses onto target portions of a substrate. Each lens in the arrays directs a respective part of the patterned beam towards the substrate. A displacement system causes relative displacement between the substrate and the beam, such that the beams are scanned across the substrate in a predetermined scanning direction. The projection systems are positioned so that each beam is scanned along a respective one of a series of tracks on the substrate. The tracks overlap so that each track comprises a first portion that is scanned by one beam and at least one second portion that overlaps an adjacent track, and is scanned by two beams.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for scanning a circuit structure. The apparatus has a linear sensor (16), for detecting light intensity as a function of position along the sensor. A transport mechanism (12) moves a circuit structure (10), such as a PCB or a wafer relative to the sensor. The circuit structure is illuminated with an illumination system (14) that comprises a hollow cylinder (144) with a mainly diffusively and/or specularly reflecting inner wall surface. The cylinder is arranged in parallel with the sensor and has a first slit (40) and a second slit (42) located so that a virtual plane runs through the sensor, the first and second slit to a location for the circuit structure under inspection. The illumination system furthermore comprises a linear light source (146) in the cylinder or the inner wall of the cylinder. In an embodiment the illumination system comprises a splitting mirror (22) in the cylinder to reflect light to the circuit structure.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for facilitating use of a plurality of individually controllable elements to modulate the intensity of radiation received at each focusing element of an array of focusing elements to control the intensity of the radiation in the areas on the substrate onto which the focusing elements direct the radiation.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is provided. The lithographic apparatus includes a radiation source configured to provide radiation, an array of optical light engines, and a substrate table that supports a substrate. Each of the optical light engines includes an array of individually controllable elements arranged and constructed to receive and to pattern the radiation and projection optics configured to receive the patterned radiation and to project the patterned radiation onto the substrate. The substrate table is arranged and constructed to move relative to the array of optical light engines during exposure of the substrate to the patterned radiation.

Abstract: A system and method use a lithographic apparatus to direct a plurality of patterned beams onto a substrate supported on a substrate table. The patterned beams are projected onto target portions of the substrate and relative displacement between the substrate and the patterned beams causes the beams to be scanned across the substrate. A first projection device projects a first relatively large area patterned beam which extends across a substantial proportion of the substrate. At least one second relatively small area patterned beam is selectively positioned relative to the first projection device at least in a direction transverse to the predetermined direction. The second beam may be used to expose an elongate portion of the substrate which extends in the direction of relative displacement. At least one third patterned beam of relatively small area may be provided which is selectively displaceable relative to the substrate table during relative displacement between the substrate and the first beam.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for facilitating use of a plurality of individually controllable elements to modulate the intensity of radiation received at each focusing element of an array of focusing elements to control the intensity of the radiation in the areas on the substrate onto which the focusing elements direct the radiation.

Abstract: An optical position assessment apparatus and method has an illumination system that supplies an alignment beam of radiation, and positional data is derived from reflections of the alignment beam. A substrate is supported on a substrate table and a projection system is used to project the alignment beam onto a target portion of the substrate. A positioning system causes relative movement between the substrate and the projection system. An array of lenses is arranged such that each lens in the array focuses a respective portion of the alignment beam onto a respective part of the target portion. An array of detectors is arranged such that each detector in the array detects light reflected from the substrate through a respective lens in the array and provides an output representative of the intensity of light reflected to it from the substrate through the respective lens.

Abstract: A radiation beam conditioning system comprising at least three optical paths in which the radiation is conditioned.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation distribution system for distributing the radiation from an illumination system to two or more patterning means, each for patterning beams of radiation, which are subsequently projected onto a substrate.

Abstract: A projection system for a lithographic apparatus having a plurality of mirror imaging systems. In an embodiment, the mirror imaging systems are arranged in two rows with each row being perpendicular to a scanning direction of the projection system. Each mirror imaging systems has an associated imaging field. The mirror imaging systems are arranged in a manner that precludes gaps between adjacent imaging fields in the scanning direction. Each mirror imaging system includes a concave mirror and a convex mirror arranged concentrically with the concave mirror. The concave mirrors have a first mirror portion and a second mirror portion that are independently movable. In one embodiment, each of the mirror imaging systems has an associated phase, and the mirror imaging systems in one row are positioned 180 degrees out of phase with the mirror imaging systems in the other row.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is provided. The lithographic apparatus includes a radiation source configured to provide radiation, an array of optical light engines, and a substrate table that supports a substrate. Each of the optical light engines includes an array of individually controllable elements arranged and constructed to receive and to pattern the radiation and projection optics configured to receive the patterned radiation and to project the patterned radiation onto the substrate. The substrate table is arranged and constructed to move relative to the array of optical light engines during exposure of the substrate to the patterned radiation.