Reserving spatial light modulator sections to address field non-uniformities

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide improved photolithography systems and methods using a digital micromirror device (DMD). The DMD comprises columns and rows of micromirrors disposed opposite a substrate. Light beams reflect off the micromirrors onto the substrate, resulting in a patterned substrate. Certain subsets of the columns and rows of micromirrors may be positioned to the 'off' position, such that they dump light, in order to correct for uniformity errors, i.e., features larger than desired, in the patterned substrate. Similarly, certain subsets of the columns and rows of micromirrors may be defaulted to the 'off' position and selectively allowed to return to their programmed position in order to correct for uniformity errors, i.e., features smaller than desired, in the patterned substrate.