Including Vacuum Or Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 355/73)
  • Publication number: 20080273189
    Abstract: Highly accurate lithography is performed by maintaining planarity without generating a suction mark on a sheet body. Since a counterbore for storing the head of a screw member for fixing a suction plate on a supporting table communicates with the atmosphere through a long hole and communicating path, inside of the counterbore is never under a negative pressure at the time of sucking the sheet body through a hole section of the suction plate, and the substrate can be held by suction on the suction plate by highly accurately maintaining planarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Terada
  • Publication number: 20080239275
    Abstract: The some aspects of the present invention provides a substrate holding apparatus that comprises: a base part; a support part that is formed on the base part and supports a rear surface of the substrate; a first circumferential wall that: is formed on the base part; has a first upper surface that opposes the rear surface of the substrate, which is supported by the support part; and surrounds a first space that is between the substrate, which is supported by the support part, and the base part; a second circumferential wall that: is formed on the base part; has a second upper surface that opposes the rear surface of the substrate, which is supported by the support part, with a gap interposed therebetween; and surrounds the first circumferential wall; a third circumferential wall that: is formed on the base part; has a third upper sure that opposes the rear surface of the substrate, which is supported by the support part; and surrounds the support part and the second circumferential wall; a fluid flow port that
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeyuki MIZUTANI, Yuichi Shibazaki, Makoto Shibuta
  • Patent number: 7413586
    Abstract: A reticle carrier for an Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) reticle may include nested grids of electret fibers to provide active protection from contamination without a power supply. The reticle carrier may include in-line sensors for in-situ monitoring of contamination. Grids of electret fibers may also be used in an EUV pellicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Arun Ramamoorthy, Robert Bristol
  • Publication number: 20080137055
    Abstract: A substrate support constructed to support a substrate for immersion lithographic processing is disclosed. The substrate support has a central part and a peripheral part, the peripheral part comprising an extraction duct configured to extract a liquid from a top surface of the substrate support, the extraction duct connected to an exit duct configured to duct the liquid away from the substrate support. The substrate support further includes a thermal stabilizer, arranged in the peripheral part, configured to thermally stabilize a central part of the substrate support relative to the peripheral part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Renaat Maria Hennus, Frits Van Der Meulen, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Peter Paul Steijaert, Hubert Matthieu Richard Steijns, Peter Smits
  • Patent number: 7384036
    Abstract: A sheet handling device for wide format sheets including a sheet support plate having a top surface containing suction holes which are connected to at least one suction chamber, the at least one suction chamber being divided into compartments that are connected, though an opening, to a suction device adapted to create a subatmospheric pressure in the compartments, wherein at least one internal wall between adjacent ones of the compartments defines a flow restriction orifice, and at least one of the compartments is directly connected to the suction device, and at least another one of the compartments is indirectly connected to the suction device through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter G. M. Kruijt
  • Publication number: 20080079926
    Abstract: A near-field exposure mask includes a light blocking film having an opening smaller than a wavelength of exposure light, and a mask base material for holding the light blocking film. The near-field exposure mask is configured and positioned to effect exposure of an object to be exposed to near-field light generated corresponding to the opening during contact thereof with the object to be exposed. The mask base material is transparent to the exposure light and comprises a synthetic resin material having Young's modulus in a range of 1 GPa or more to 10 GPa or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Ito, Natsuhiko Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7327438
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus having a radiation system for providing a projection beam of radiation; a support structure for supporting a patterning device, the patterning device serving to pattern the projection beam according to a desired pattern; a substrate holder for holding a substrate the substrate holder provided with a device to provide a holding force for pressing the substrate against the substrate holder; a releasing structure constructed and arranged to eject the substrate from the holder against the holding force; and a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic projection apparatus may include a controller for controlling the releasing structure so as to release the substrate from the holder with a release force that is reduced prior to final release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Koen Jacobus Johannes Maria Zaal, Tjarko Adriaan Rudolf Van Empel, Aschwin Lodewijk Hendricus Johannes Van Meer, Jan Rein Miedema, Joost Jeroen Ottens
  • Patent number: 7307697
    Abstract: The present method and system features an active compliant pin chuck to hold a substrate, having opposed first and second surfaces, and compensates for non-planarity in one of the surfaces of the substrate. To that end, the support system includes a chuck having a plurality of piezo pins and reference pins, with the piezo pins being coupled to piezo actuators to undergo relative movement with respect to said reference pins. These and other embodiments are discussed more fully below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Mahadevan GanapathiSubramanian, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan
  • Publication number: 20070195306
    Abstract: There are provided a wafer stage, an exposure apparatus having the same, and a wafer flatness correction method using the same. The wafer stage includes a chuck having first and second vacuum holes, a first vacuum pump applying a vacuum suction force to the first vacuum holes and a second vacuum pump applying a vacuum suction force to the second vacuum holes. Further, the exposure apparatus and the wafer flatness correction method using the same are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: Jang-Hyun Yun
  • Patent number: 7230681
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a wafer and a method for immersion lithography. The apparatus, including a wafer chuck having a central circular vacuum platen, an outer region, and a circular groove centered on the vacuum platen, a top surface of the vacuum platen recessed below a top surface of the outer region and a bottom surface of the groove recessed below the top surface of the vacuum platen; one or more suction ports in the bottom surface of the groove; and a hollow toroidal inflatable and deflatable bladder positioned within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Holmes, Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark C. Hakey, Daniel A. Corliss, David V. Horak, Charles W. Koburger, III
  • Patent number: 7227619
    Abstract: A burl plate for use in immersion lithography has a higher burl density in a peripheral portion than in a medial portion so that when a higher pressure differential is applied in the peripheral portion the compression of the burls in the peripheral portion is substantially the same as in the medial portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Koen Jacobus Johannes Maria Zaal, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Joost Jeroen Ottens
  • Patent number: 7224443
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chucking system to modulate substrates so as to properly shape and position the same with respect to a wafer upon which a pattern is to be formed with the substrate. The chucking system includes a chuck body having first and second opposed sides. A side surface extends therebetween. The first side includes first and second spaced-apart recesses defining first and second spaced-apart support regions. The first support region cinctures the second support region and the first and second recesses. The second support region cinctures the second recess, with a portion of the body in superimposition with the second recess being transparent to radiation having a predetermined wavelength. The second side and the side surface define exterior surfaces. The body includes throughways placing the first and second recesses in fluid communication with one of the exterior surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung-Jin Choi, Ronald D. Voisin, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Michael P. C. Watts, Daniel A. Babbs, Mario J. Meissl, Hillman L. Bailey, Norman E. Schumaker
  • Patent number: 7158211
    Abstract: A table configured to support a substrate has one or more projections which support the substrate. In an embodiment, the table also has a raised perimeter defining a space which is configured to be filled with a liquid. A pump is configured to remove liquid from the space via outlet passages to an optional inlet. The removal of liquid can create a pressure differential across the substrate which then clamps it in place. Liquid circulated to the inlet may be filtered by a filter to remove contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Straaijer
  • Patent number: 7145642
    Abstract: A wafer support device having a fixed base, a guiding device, a movable base disposed so as to move in a vertical direction with respect to the fixed base by the guiding device, a first pressing device pressing the movable base, a ? stage rotatably disposed on the movable base with the vertical direction as a rotation axis, a linear motor, a contact bar, a load control device controlling a load of pressing, and a controller controlling a pressing force by the first pressing device based on the load. The first pressing device has a cylinder and a main pressurizing chamber and a sub-pressurizing chamber, a piston rod vertically moving in the main pressurizing chamber and the sub-pressurizing chamber, respectively, a main pressure controller controlling a pressure in the main pressurizing chamber, and a sub pressure controller controlling a pressure in the sub-pressurizing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshinobu Ogatsu
  • Patent number: 7110085
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus including a radiation system for providing a projection beam of radiation; a support structure for supporting a patterning device, the patterning device serving to pattern the projection beam according to a desired pattern; a substrate holder having a plurality of protrusions, the extremities thereof defining a substantially flat plane of support for supporting a substantially flat substrate, the substrate holder provided with the ability to provide a pressing force for pressing the substrate against the extremities of the protrusions, the protrusions in an edge zone of the substrate holder arranged to provide a substantially flat overhanging of the substrate in relation to the pressing force of the pressing means; and a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Koen Jacobus Johannes Maria Zaal, Tjarko Adriaan Rudolf Van Empel, Joost Jeroen Ottens
  • Patent number: 7041989
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system arranged to provide a radiation beam, an article support configured to support an article to be placed in a beam path of the radiation beam, a multipolar clamp configured to provide a clamping pressure for clamping the article against the article support, and a bias voltage circuit for biasing at least one electrode of the multipolar clamp, such that the occurrence of ridges that appear due to static charges on the article may be circumvented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Antony Johannes Neerhof, Johannes Hubertus Josephina Moors, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Marco Le Kluse
  • Patent number: 7034924
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes at least one object support structure in a high vacuum chamber. The object support structure includes a carrier device in which a number of dividing walls are provided forming a number of compartments in the carrier device. At least one of the compartments is shielded from the high vacuum chamber and is provided with separate gas evacuating structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: ASLM Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Harmen Klass Van Der Schoot, Hernes Jacobs, Martinus Arnoldus Henricus Terken
  • Patent number: 7019819
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chucking system to modulate substrates so as to properly shape and position the same with respect to a wafer upon which a pattern is to be formed with the substrate. The chucking system includes a chuck body having first and second opposed sides. A side surface extends therebetween. The first side includes first and second spaced-apart recesses defining first and second spaced-apart support regions. The first support region cinctures the second support region and the first and second recesses. The second support region cinctures the second recess, with a portion of the body in superimposition with the second recess being transparent to radiation having a predetermined wavelength. The second side and the side surface define exterior surfaces. The body includes throughways placing the first and second recesses in fluid communication with one of the exterior surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung J. Choi, Ronald D. Voisin, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Michael P. C. Watts, Daniel Babbs, Mario J. Meissl, Hillman Bailey, Norman E. Schumaker
  • Patent number: 7006201
    Abstract: A photosensitive tabular member suction mechanism that can reliably suck with a simple configuration, on a stage, photosensitive tabular members of different sizes by effectively using the suction force resulting from negative pressure, and an image recording device disposed with this photosensitive tabular member suction mechanism. Cylinder members are attached inside the stage in correspondence to respective suction holes, and the piston members accommodated in the suction holes are urged upward by springs. In a state where a substrate is not placed on a placement surface of the stage, the piston members are in a closed position due to the urging force of the springs and block off the suction holes. When the substrate is placed on the placement surface, the piston members move to an open position counter to the urging force of the springs and the suction holes are opened, whereby the substrate is sucked by a suction force resulting from negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uemura
  • Patent number: 6980282
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for modulating shapes of a substrate, having first and second opposed surfaces. This is achieved by creating a pressure differential between differing regions of the first opposed surface to attenuate structural distortions in the second opposed surface that results from external forces bearing on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung J. Choi, Ronald D. Voisin, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Michael P. C. Watts, C. Grant Willson, Norman E. Schumaker, Mario J. Meissl
  • Patent number: 6954009
    Abstract: In case that some trouble occurs in exhaust pump or in pipe, internal pressure of groove comes closer to atmospheric pressure owing to leak-in of air, because the groove adjoins groove opened to atmospheric air. However, the internal pressures of grooves are maintained at negative value. Thus, difference in pressure between the top and bottom surfaces of moving block is generated. Further, the gap between the moving block and the intermediate block decreases. Consequently, the deterioration in the degree of vacuum in the process chamber can be retarded. During retarded time, measures to protect an object to be processed, such as operation of tightly sealing the object can be taken. Further, in case that the system recovers, time required to operate turbo-molecular pump for sucking the inside of the process chamber is reduced to a short time. Therefore, the processing can be quickly resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Nobuhito Saji
  • Patent number: 6947701
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that can suppress the formation of creases when forming images on both surfaces of a sheet and can greatly reduce the incidence of unprinted areas. The image forming apparatus has a sheet stacking section in which sheets are stacked, a sheet conveying section that conveys a sheet, an image forming section that forms an image on the sheet while the sheet is conveyed, a re-conveying section that again conveys the sheet with the image formed on a first surface thereof to the image forming section, and a sheet feeding section that feeds a sheet from the sheet stacking section or the re-conveying section to the image forming section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michio Uchida, Yoshiro Tsuchiya, Kazunori Takashima, Yoshiro Saito
  • Patent number: 6927841
    Abstract: A media holddown device a plastics vacuum guide attached to a sheet metal vacuum beam, the guide includes vacuum chambers in communication with the beam through openings to control the negative pressures applied to media of varying widths by a fan. Dividing walls are provided between the chambers to maintain the value of the negative pressure larger than a predetermined value, especially for media with conventional widths. An intermediate wall divides the guide into front and rear chambers to increase the control of media leading edges. The number, size and pattern of arrangement of openings are selected to produce desired air flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Antonio Hinojosa, Joaquim Brugue, Marc Jansa, Lluis Valles, Francesc Xavier Magrans
  • Patent number: 6903808
    Abstract: An alignable, low-profile substrate chuck for processing, one by one, a number of substrate panels, which may be larger than the chuck itself. The substrate chuck is adjustable in x, y and theta while on the movable platform of a stage, and comprises a nested set of rotatable or sliding brackets adjustable in x, y and theta a positionable vacuum diffuser plate mounted within a coplanar apron on the top bracket. The vacuum diffuser plate fits within a relief cut about the periphery of the apron, which, together with a pattern of islands with their tops coplanar to a ledge formed by the relief, provide location and both bottom and peripheral support for the high-flatness vacuum diffuser plate. The vacuum airflow passes through the vacuum diffuser plate, through the pattern around supporting islands and out through a central yaw shaft about which the yaw rotation centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Anvik Corporation
    Inventor: Leszek A. Wojcik
  • Patent number: 6888620
    Abstract: A stage assembly (10) for moving and positioning a device (26) includes a device table (20), a device holder (24) that retains the device (26), and a stage mover assembly (14). The stage assembly (10) includes one or more features that can isolate the device holder 24 and the device (26) from deformation. In some embodiments, the stage assembly (10) allows precise rotation of the device (26) between a first position (42) and a second position (44) without influencing the flatness of the device (26) and without deflecting and distorting the device (26). For example, the stage assembly (10) can include a carrier (60) and a holder connector assembly (62). The carrier (60) is supported above the device table (20) and rotates relative to the device table (20). The holder connector assembly (62) connects the device holder (24) to the carrier (60). Further, the stage assembly (10) can include a holder mover (120) that rotates the device holder (24) relative to the device table (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Martin E. Lee, Mike Binnard, Douglas C. Watson
  • Patent number: 6864955
    Abstract: The stage apparatus has a movable stage structure body which holds a substrate plate to be processed and is movable on a base structure body. This stage apparatus comprises a receipt edge orifice disposed at least at a portion of a fluid path which is disposed at said stage structure body; and a feed edge orifice being detachably engageable with said receipt edge orifice at a predetermined position on a base structure body and providing or discharging a predetermined fluid to the receipt edge orifice during said engagement of said feed edge orifice with said receipt edge orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Nishi, Toru Kiuchi
  • Patent number: 6864962
    Abstract: An anti-vibration apparatus includes a table, a pneumatic spring for applying a force to the table, an electromagnetic actuator for applying a force to the table, and a first generator which generates a driving signal for the electromagnetic actuator based on at least one of a target position and a target speed with respect to a movable object on the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Morisada
  • Patent number: 6836316
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus for exposing a pattern of a mask onto a substrate. The apparatus includes an apparatus which includes a nonconductive holding section to hold the substrate and holds the substrate, and an electrostatic capacitance sensor which measures height-direction information of the substrate held by the apparatus which holds the substrate. The holding section includes a conductive member which is electronically grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshinobu Tokita
  • Patent number: 6809799
    Abstract: A processing system is disclosed which includes first and second chambers, each for accommodating a processing apparatus therein, each chamber being able to be kept gas tight, a coupling member for coupling the processing apparatuses accommodated in the first and second chambers with each other, and an elastic gas tightness holding member for gas tightly sealing portions between the coupling member and the first and second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Hasegawa, Yutaka Tanaka, Hidehiko Fujioka
  • Patent number: 6806945
    Abstract: An automatic both sides exposing apparatus 1 is provided, and includes a first exposing mechanism 10 having a first mask and the second exposing mechanism 20 having a second mask; a carrying-in portion 2 and a carrying-out portion 30; an optical system for exposing the substrate; and a first holder A and a second holder B for holding the substrate and delivering the substrate from the first holder A to the second holder B with reversal of sides at a spot located in an interval between the first and second exposing mechanisms where both holders meet each other. Accordingly, a frequency at which the substrate is delivered is minimized, the substrate can be turned over without the reversing mechanism, the substrate can be transferred (and delivered) at good efficiency in limited space and exposed accurately, any inconvenient origin for the substrate may be minimized, and the apparatus is made compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Orc Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Ise, Masaaki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20040130696
    Abstract: A wafer chuck may have an engagement surface having a curvature approximating a field curvature of an imaging system in which the wafer chuck is used. The wafer chuck may include an integrated vacuum system operative to secure a wafer to the engagement surface, consequently deforming the wafer to have a surface approximating the field curvature of the imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Ted Doros
  • Publication number: 20040094722
    Abstract: A bearing for use in a vacuum chamber comprises a gas bearing discharging pressurised gas into a gap between two members to maintain a predetermined separation between those members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus H.J. Bisschops, Jakob Vijfvinkel, Hermanus M.J.R. Soemers, Johannes C. Driessen, Michael J.M. Renkens, Adrianus G. Bouwer
  • Patent number: 6720115
    Abstract: A photolithography method using near-field light includes a step of controlling the position of an exposure mask and an object to be processed so as to make the object to be located in a region where near-field light is present, and a step of exposing the object to near-field light while controlling the intensity of such light as a function of the aperture density of the exposure mask. The intensity of near-field light is controlled by modifying the aperture width or modifying the transmissivity of the exposure mask depending on the aperture density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Inao, Ryo Kuroda, Takako Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6721035
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a radiation system to supply a projection beam of radiation; a mask table provided with a mask holder to hold a mask; a substrate table provided with a substrate holder to hold a substrate; a projection system to image an irradiated portion of the mask onto a target portion of the substrate; and a preparatory station comprising an intermediate table on which a substrate can be positioned before transfer to the substrate table; the intermediate table including a major surface provided with a plurality of apertures, and gas bearing generator that generates a gas bearing between the major surface and a substrate located thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Hubert M. Segers, Rudolf M. Boon, Anton A. Bijnagte, Fransiscus M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6714277
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a chamber which incorporates an optical element and surrounds a predetermined region, a mechanism for setting an inert gas atmosphere in the chamber, and a closed vessel which surrounds the chamber. The purity of inert gas in the chamber is higher than a purity of inert gas in the closed vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Hara, Yutaka Tanaka, Kazuyuki Kasumi, Toru Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6703179
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring organic material from a donor onto a substrate to form a layer of organic material on one or more OLED devices, by aligning first and second fixtures in a reduced pressure environment and positioning the substrate and donor in a chamber defined by the aligned first and second fixtures; increasing the pressure applied to the non-transfer surface of the donor so as to ensure the position of the donor relative to the substrate; moving a member provided on the first fixture from a closed to an open position which permits the transmission of radiation onto the non-transfer surface of the donor so that heat will be produced and organic material transferred from the donor to the substrate; and illuminating with radiation the donor through the open radiation-receiving position to cause the transfer of organic material to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Yuan-Sheng Tyan
  • Patent number: 6674085
    Abstract: Stage devices are disclosed that include gas-actuation and reaction-force-canceling mechanisms. In an embodiment, an X-axis moving guide extending in the X direction engages a lower stage via a gas bearing. Y-axis sliders (movable elements) are provided at both ends of the X-axis moving guide. A Y-axis fixed guide 8 engages each Y-axis slider via a gas bearing. Each Y-axis slider and respective fixed guide constitute a respective pneumatic actuator. Respective mounting members are provided near the ends of each fixed guide, with interposed gas bearings, and each fixed guide is slidably affixed to a base plate. An actuator for stroke correction is provided in association with each mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nikin Corporation
    Inventors: Takaharu Miura, Keiichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6664549
    Abstract: In a wafer chuck for flatly vacuum-chucking a semiconductor wafer (11) supported by support pins (15) such that a pressure in a suction chamber (13) surrounded by an external wall (12), the upper surface of the external wall (12) is formed to be lower than the upper surfaces of the support pins, and the upper surface of the external wall (12) does not pressure the semiconductor wafer (11), a distance (L1) between the external wall (12) and closest support pins (15a) is up to 1.8 mm, and an alignment pitch. (L2) of the support pins (15) aligned inside the closest support pins (15a) to the external wall (12) is not more than 1.5 times of the distance (L1) between the external wall (12) and the closest support pins (15a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Tokyo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Kobayashi, Koichi Koyanagi, Teruo Honda, Hideo Saeki, Masaharu Motohashi
  • Patent number: 6662725
    Abstract: A printing plate is held at one point thereof by a holding portion provided at a surface plate. When pushed by a pushing portion, the printing plate is only rotationally displaced. Thus, an angular error is substantially eliminated and displacement of the printing plate is small. Then, the pushing portion positions the printing plate in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the surface plate can be moved. Then, movement of the surface plate positions the printing plate in the direction in which the surface plate can be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Koizumi, Kazuoki Komiyama, Yoshinori Kawamura, Yoshihiro Koyanagi, Mitsuyoshi Nishimura, Takashi Kato
  • Patent number: 6642996
    Abstract: A scanning exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate with a pattern formed on an original while scanning the original and the substrate. The apparatus includes a chuck for holding a substrate, a stage for moving the chuck to align the substrate, a mechanism for purging an exposure optical path near the stage with inert gas, the mechanism having a cover covering the exposure optical path between a substrate-side lower end of an optical system and a vicinity of the stage, and a supply port for supplying inert gas into the cover, and a top plate which is mounted on the stage and has a surface substantially flush with a surface of the substrate. The top plate is arranged to form a gap between the top plate and a side surface of the substrate, a depth of the gap is not less than a width of the gap, and a dimension from the side surface of the substrate to an outer edge of the top plate is larger than that of a substrate-side opening of the cover in a scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Nogawa
  • Patent number: 6597432
    Abstract: A board stage of an aligner that can avoid bending of a printed circuit board to be exposed and accomplish high accurate exposure. In one preferred mode a suction plate 2 having small holes 20 is mounted on a supporting body on which a space 30 bigger than the small holes is provided. The holes 20 are connected to the space 30 and to a vacuum device via an air passage 31 and a bottom passage 32. The diameter of the suction hole 20 is so less than 0.4 mm not to make at the printed circuit board such bending that causes exposure troubles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Adtec Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Ida
  • Publication number: 20030127605
    Abstract: On an upper surface of a main body configuring a holder main body, a plurality of pins and a rim portion which upper end surface is set at almost the same height with a surface formed by the tip portions of the pins are provided. In addition, the main body has a honeycomb structure. Also, through holes formed in the honeycomb core are arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of pins. And, by a vacuum chucking mechanism, a wafer is vacuum chucked with respect to the tip portions of the plurality of pins and the upper end surface of the rim portion. In addition, among the plurality of pins arranged, the pins arranged closed to the rim portion are spaced more densely than the pins arranged elsewhere on the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Kondo
  • Patent number: 6590633
    Abstract: The stage apparatus can improve static and dynamic features by reducing the number of electrical wiring or tubes for air pressure disposed in a movable main stage member of a movable stage apparatus. The movable stage apparatus has a base structure body and a movable stage structure body. When the movable stage structure body is transferred on the base structure body to a position in which to exchange wafers, a receiving terminal part disposed on the movable stage structure body comes into contact with a feed terminal part disposed on the base structure body and a battery loaded on the movable stage structure body is charged with electric current supplied from the feed terminal part. When the stage structure body is apart from the position in which to exchange wafers, adsorption of the wafer loaded on the stage structure body is sustained electrically by utilizing the electricity of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Nishi, Toru Kiuchi
  • Patent number: 6583858
    Abstract: An intermediate substrate holder for use in a lithographic projection apparatus, which holder can itself be held by a standard substrate holder in the lithographic projection apparatus and in turn can hold a non-standard substrate. The intermediate substrate holder includes at least one of a vacuum holder and a mechanical clamp. The vacuum holder includes a vacuum space on which the non-standard substrate is placed; a barrier around the edge of the vacuum space that closes off the vacuum space and that makes a sealing contact with the non-standard substrate; and a vacuum generator. The mechanical clamp may include two or more stationary positioning pins opposed by a slidable mechanism which is provided with at least one sliding positioning pin mounted thereon and which is biased to move the sliding positioning pin towards the stationary pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Frank van Schaik, Gerardus J. J. Keijsers
  • Publication number: 20030113656
    Abstract: A method for transferring organic material from a flexible donor element onto a substrate to form a layer of organic material in making one or more OLED devices, includes providing the flexible donor element and the substrate in a spaced relationship within a chamber under atmospheric pressure defined by a transfer station so that the flexible donor element partitions the chamber into first and second cavities; varying the pressure differential between the first and second cavities to cause the flexible donor element to move into a contact relationship with the substrate; providing a transparent window which defines the top surface of the second cavity; and providing radiation energy through the transparent window onto the flexible donor element in contact with the substrate to cause the flexible donor element to absorb heat and transfer organic material onto the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yuan-Sheng Tyan, Giuseppe Farruggia, Fridrich Vazan, Thomas R. Cushman
  • Publication number: 20030098965
    Abstract: A stage assembly (224) for moving and positioning a device (300) includes a device table (308), a device holder (312) that retains the device (300), and a holder connector assembly (338). The holder connector assembly (338) includes a first assembly (320) that supports the device holder (312) relative to the device table (308) along a first axis, and a second assembly (322) that supports the device holder (312) relative to the device table (308) along a second axis, the second axis being orthogonal to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Mike Binnard, Mats Engwall
  • Publication number: 20030098963
    Abstract: A stage assembly (10) for moving and positioning a device (26) includes a device table (20), a device holder (24) that retains the device (26), and a stage mover assembly (14). The stage assembly (10) includes one or more features that can isolate the device holder 24 and the device (26) from deformation. In some embodiments, the stage assembly (10) allows precise rotation of the device (26) between a first position (42) and a second position (44) without influencing the flatness of the device (26) and without deflecting and distorting the device (26). For example, the stage assembly (10) can include a carrier (60) and a holder connector assembly (62). The carrier (60) is supported above the device table (20) and rotates relative to the device table (20). The holder connector assembly (62) connects the device holder (24) to the carrier (60). Further, the stage assembly (10) can include a holder mover (120) that rotates the device holder (24) relative to the device table (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Alton H. Phillips, Mike Binnard
  • Publication number: 20030098964
    Abstract: A stage assembly (10) for moving and positioning a device (26) includes a device table (20), a device holder (24) that retains the device (26), and a stage mover assembly (14). The stage assembly (10) includes one or more features that can isolate the device holder 24 and the device (26) from deformation. In some embodiments, the stage assembly (10) allows precise rotation of the device (26) between a first position (42) and a second position (44) without influencing the flatness of the device (26) and without deflecting and distorting the device (26). For example, the stage assembly (10) can include a carrier (60) and a holder connector assembly (62). The carrier (60) is supported above the device table (20) and rotates relative to the device table (20). The holder connector assembly (62) connects the device holder (24) to the carrier (60). Further, the stage assembly (10) can include a holder mover (120) that rotates the device holder (24) relative to the device table (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Martin E. Lee, Mike Binnard, Douglas C. Watson
  • Patent number: 6556281
    Abstract: A flexible chuck for supporting a substrate during lithographic processing is described. This flexible chuck includes an electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer disposed on the electrode layer, and a substrate support layer disposed above the piezoelectric layer. By providing electrical signals to the piezoelectric layer through the electrode layer, the support layer can be flexed, thereby changing surface topography on a substrate disposed on the flexible chuck. The contact layer can include projections, each of the projections corresponding to a respective electrode within the electrode layer. Furthermore, the substrate support layer can be formed of a conductive material and thus serve as the ground layer. Alternatively, separate substrate support and ground layers can be provided. The flexible chuck in accordance with the instant invention can be a vacuum chuck. Also described is a method of monitoring topographic changes in a flexible chuck in accordance with the instant invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: ASML US, Inc.
    Inventors: Pradeep Kumar Govil, Jorge Ivaldi
  • Patent number: 6549264
    Abstract: Control of particle contamination on the reticle and carbon contamination of optical surfaces in photolithography systems can be achieved by the establishment of multiple pressure zones in the photolithography systems. The different zones will enclose the reticle, projection optics, wafer, and other components of system. The system includes a vacuum apparatus that includes: a housing defining a vacuum chamber; one or more metrology trays situated within the vacuum chamber each of which is supported by at least one support member, wherein the tray separates the vacuum chamber into a various compartments that are maintained at different pressures; and conductance seal devices for adjoining the perimeter of each tray to an inner surface of the housing wherein the tray is decoupled from vibrations emanating from the inner surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: EUV LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Haney, Donald Joe Herron, Leonard E. Klebanoff, William C. Replogle