Abstract: In an immersion lithographic apparatus, a closing plate is used to contain liquid in a liquid confinement structure while, for example, substrates are swapped on a substrate table. A closing plate displacement mechanism using, for example, a combination of one or more leaf springs and one or more electromagnets or a combination of one or more linear actuators and one more pins, is used to moving the closing plate toward or from the liquid confinement structure. In an embodiment, an adjustment plate is used to compensate for closing plates of varying thickness in closing plate receptacles of varying depth on different substrate tables.

Abstract: A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.

Abstract: In immersion lithography after exposure of a substrate is complete, a detector is used to detect any residual liquid remaining on the substrate and/or substrate table.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and a sensor is filled with a liquid.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a liquid supply system provides a liquid between the projection system and the substrate. An active drying station is provided to actively remove the liquid from the substrate W or other objects after immersion of all or part of a surface of the substrate W or other objects.

Abstract: A substrate table of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed which comprises a barrier configured to collect liquid. The barrier surrounds the substrate and is spaced apart from the substrate. In this way any liquid which is spilt from the liquid supply system can be collected to reduce the risk of contamination of delicate components of the lithographic projection apparatus.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is provided between a projection system of the apparatus and a substrate. The use of both liquidphobic and liquidphilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is provided to help prevent formation of bubbles in the liquid and to help reduce residue on the elements after being in contact with the liquid.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus and a device manufacturing method, a movable part is controlled to produce a motion, an absolute value of at least one of a fourth and a higher derivative to time of the position of the motion being limited to less than a maximal value. Specifying at least one of a fourth and a higher derivative to time of the position may help to improve settling behavior to obtain more accurate positioning.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a beam production system for projecting a patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate, and a support table for supporting an article. The support table has a support surface and an array of protrusions extending from the support surface to support the article on the protrusions. The apparatus also includes a detector for detecting height deviations of the protrusions that affect a surface flatness of the article, a height adjustment device arranged to independently modify a height of the individual protrusions when the support table is operable in the apparatus, and a controller coupled between the detector and the height adjustment device and arranged to control the height adjustment device to adjust the height of the protrusions corresponding to the detected height deviations of the protrusions that affect the surface flatness of the article.

Abstract: In an immersion lithography apparatus, the immersion liquid is supplied from a tank via a flow restrictor. The liquid held in the tank is maintained at a substantially constant height above the flow restrictor to ensure a constant flow of liquid.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, there is provided a liquid supply system comprising a container at least partly defining a space between the projection system and the substrate, the container having a selectively openable and closeable aperture therein, and a closure configured to selectively close and open the aperture. In an embodiment, the shutter may comprise a channel in a surface of the shutter facing the aperture and/or the shutter may be displaced from the liquid supply system when connected to the liquid supply system. Further, in a lithographic apparatus, there is provided a liquid supply system configured to provide a liquid, through which the beam is to be projected, in a space between a projection system and a substrate and a controller configured to control application to the projection system of a force related to a weight transfer attributable to a member of the liquid supply system.

Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate.