The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Dec. 11, 2018

Filed:

May. 04, 2015
Applicant:

Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, JP;

Inventors:

Hiroaki Takaiwa, Kumagaya, JP;

Takashi Horiuchi, Kawasaki, JP;

Assignee:

NIKON CORPORATION, Tokyo, JP;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03F 7/20 (2006.01); G03B 27/42 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G03F 7/70341 (2013.01); G03B 27/42 (2013.01); G03F 7/7085 (2013.01); G03F 7/70916 (2013.01);
Abstract

An exposure apparatus includes a projection system having a final optical element via which an exposure beam is projected, an immersion member having an opening through which the exposure beam is projected, liquid supply ports and liquid recovery ports, a stage which is movable below and relative to the projection system and the immersion member, the stage including a holder configured to hold a substrate, and a detection system configured to detect a residual liquid on at least one of the substrate held on the holder of the movable stage and the movable stage. A liquid immersion area that covers only a portion of the upper surface of the substrate is formed on an upper surface of the substrate held on the holder of the movable stage, while supplying immersion liquid via the liquid supply ports and removing the immersion liquid via the liquid recovery ports.


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