Asml Netherlands B.v.

Asm Lithography B.v.

Gerjan P Veldhuis

Erik Roelof Loopstra

Harmen Klaas Van Der Schoot

Yim Bun P Kwan

Gerrit Maarten Bonnema

Serge F C L Wetzels

Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan

Paulus M Ter Beek

Yim-Bun P Kwan

A positioning device has first and second object holders that are guided over a guiding surface extending parallel to an X-direction and parallel to a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction and which are displaceable over the guiding surface from a first position into a second position by means of a displacement system. The displacement system includes a first displacement unit and a second displacement unit to which the object holders can be alternately coupled. The first displacement unit is suitable for carrying out a first series of positioning steps of the first object holder in the first position and for displacing the first object holder from the first position into an intermediate position between the first and second positions. The second displacement unit is suitable for carrying out a second series of positioning steps of the second object holder in the second position, simultaneously with and independently of the first displacement unit, and for displacing the second object holder from the second position into the intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the object holders are exchanged, after which the first series of positioning steps can be carried out by the first displacement unit with the second object holder in the first position and the second series of positioning steps can be carried out by the second displacement unit with the first object holder in the second position. The positioning device is suitable for use in a lithographic device to carry out an exposure process with a first semiconductor substrate in an exposure position and, simultaneously therewith and independently thereof, a characterization process with a second semiconductor substrate in a characterization position.

Positioning device having two object holders

A positioning system, such as may be used to position a moveable object table in three degrees of freedom. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of the positioning system in a lithographic projection apparatus including an illumination system for supplying a projection beam of radiation, a first object table for holding a mask, a second, movable object table for holding a substrate, and a projection system for imaging an irradiated portion of the mask onto a target portion of the substrate.

Positioning system for use in lithographic apparatus

Two-dimensionally balanced positioning device with two object holders, and lithographic device provided with such a positioning device. A positioning device (3, 97, 179) with a first displacement unit (25, 189) for displacing a first object holder (11, 181) and a second displacement unit (27, 191) for displacing a second object holder (13, 183). The object holders can be displaced by the positioning device alternately from a measuring position into an operational position and can be displaced by the respective displacement units independently of one another in the measuring position and in the operational position. The displacement units are provided with force actuators which each have a first part (47, 49; 117, 119; 215, 217) which is coupled to the relevant object holder and which is displaceable under the influence of a driving force relative to a second part (59, 61; 133, 135, 137, 139; 219, 221) which is fastened to a balancing unit (69, 149, 205) which is common to the two displacement units. The balancing unit is displaceably guided relative to a base (81, 209), so that reaction forces of the displacement units are converted into displacements of the balancing unit relative to the base, and mechanical vibrations in the balancing unit and the base are prevented. The use of the force actuators prevents the displacements of the balancing unit from disturbing the positions of the object holders relative to the base. The positioning device is further provided with a control unit (83, 169, 237) by means of which at least the parts (47, 49; 121, 123; 219, 221) directed parallel to an X-direction of the X-actuators (39, 41; 105, 107; 211, 213) coupled to the object holders are held in positions parallel to the X-direction. It is also prevented in this manner that positions of the object holders relative to the base are interfered with by rotations of the balancing unit caused by the reaction forces of the displacement units. The positioning device can be used in a lithographic device for the displacement of a semiconductor substrate relative to an exposure system of the lithographic device and for the displacement of a mask relative to the exposure system.

Two-dimensionally balanced positioning device with two object holders,

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Vinkel, Netherlands

Gerjan P Veldhuis