Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed in which a gas knife is shaped and a liquid removal device is positioned to improve removal of liquid from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed. In particular, a liquid supply system of the lithographic apparatus may be used to introduce a cleaning fluid into a space between the projection system and the substrate table of the lithographic apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, a cleaning device may be provided on the substrate table and an ultrasonic emitter may be provided to create an ultrasonic cleaning liquid.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and the substrate is filled with a liquid. An edge seal member at least partly surrounds the substrate or other object on a substrate table to prevent liquid loss when edge portions of the substrate or other object are, for example, imaged or illuminated.

Abstract: A device manufacturing method includes transferring a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate. The method includes bringing the patterning device and the support together, and applying a substantially stationary force between the patterning device and the support to hold the patterning device. The patterning device is now excited by a substantially dynamic force to enable a micro slipping thereof. Then, the patterning device is aligned, and the pattern is transferred from the patterning device onto the substrate. The patterning device may be excited with an alternating acceleration. When the patterning device is excited, the patterning device is allowed to settle with respect to the support, thereby improving a friction therebetween to reduce a risk of slipping or local slipping of the patterning device.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device. The patterning device is configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The lithographic apparatus further includes a substrate table configured to hold a substrate. The substrate has a surface coated at least partially with a layer of radiation sensitive material. The lithographic apparatus also includes a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a liquid supply system. The liquid supply system is configured to supply a prewetting liquid on top of the layer of radiation sensitive material to prewet the substrate, and is configured to supply an immersion liquid in a space between the prewet substrate and at least a portion of the projection system.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and the substrate is filled with a liquid. An edge seal member at least partly surrounds the substrate or other object on a substrate table to prevent liquid loss when edge portions of the substrate or other object are, for example, imaged or illuminated.

Abstract: Lithographic Apparatus and Device Manufacturing Method In an immersion lithographic apparatus, bubble formation in immersion liquid is reduced or prevented by reducing a gap size or area on a substrate table and/or covering the gap.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between a projection system of the lithographic projection apparatus and a substrate. A sensor positioned on a substrate table, which holds the substrate, is configured to be exposed to radiation when immersed in liquid (e.g., under the same conditions as the substrate will be exposed to radiation). By having a surface of an absorption element of the sensor, that is to be in contact with liquid, formed of no more than one metal type, long life of the sensor may be obtained.

Abstract: A gas knife configured to dry a surface in an immersion lithographic apparatus is optimized to remove liquid by ensuring that a pressure gradient is built up in the liquid film on the surface being dried.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed which includes a liquid supply system having an inlet configured to supply a liquid to a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate and an outlet configured to remove at least part of the liquid, the liquid supply system configured to rotate the inlet, the outlet, or both, about an axis substantially perpendicular. to an exposure plane of the substrate.

Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is supplied to a space between a projection system and a substrate, and a plate structure is provided to divide the space into two parts. The plate structure has an aperture to allow transmission of the projection beam, has through holes in it to reduce the damping effect of the presence of the plate and optionally has one or more inlets and outlets to provide various flows around the aperture in the plate. An embodiment of the invention may reduce the transportation of contaminants, stray light, temperature gradients, and/or the effect of bubbles on the imaging quality.

Abstract: A stage apparatus for displacing an object having a substantially flat surface is described. The apparatus includes an object table for supporting the object and a positioning device for displacing the object table in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a clamping device for clamping the object to the object table by a first clamping force, the first clamping force being controlled by an electronic control unit based upon a state of the object.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a liquid supply system configured to provide liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate; and a shutter configured to isolate the space from the substrate or a space to be occupied by a substrate.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus has adaptations to prevent or reduce bubble formation in one or more gaps in the substrate table by preventing bubbles escaping from the gap into the beam path and/or extracting bubbles that may form in the gap.

Abstract: A liquid supply system for an immersion lithographic apparatus provides a laminar flow of immersion liquid between a final element of the projection system and a substrate. A control system minimizes the chances of overflowing and an extractor includes an array of outlets configured to minimize vibrations.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system provides liquid in a space between the final element of the projection system and the substrate of the lithographic projection apparatus. A shutter member is provided to contain liquid in the liquid supply system during, for example, substrate exchange.

Abstract: A method for correcting an exposure parameter of an immersion lithographic apparatus is provided. In the method, an exposure parameter is measured using a measuring beam projected through a liquid between the projection system and a substrate table of the immersion lithographic apparatus and offset is determined based on a change of a physical property impacting a measurement made using the measuring beam to at least partly correct the measured exposure parameter. Also, there is provided an apparatus and method to measure a height of an optical element connected to liquid between the projection system and the substrate table in the immersion lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A method for correcting an exposure parameter of an immersion lithographic apparatus is provided. In the method, an exposure parameter is measured using a measuring beam projected through a liquid between the projection system and a substrate table of the immersion lithographic apparatus and offset is determined based on a change of a physical property impacting a measurement made using the measuring beam to at least partly correct the measured exposure parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed. In particular, a liquid supply system of the lithographic apparatus may be used to introduce a cleaning fluid into a space between the projection system and the substrate table of the lithographic apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, a cleaning device may be provided on the substrate table and an ultrasonic emitter may be provided to create an ultrasonic cleaning liquid.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed which includes a liquid supply system having an inlet configured to supply a liquid to a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate and an outlet configured to remove at least part of the liquid, the liquid supply system configured to rotate the inlet, the outlet, or both, about an axis substantially perpendicular to an exposure plane of the substrate.