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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 02, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 03, 1996
Shin-ichi Takagi, Kawasaki, JP;
Naohiko Iwata, Koganei, JP;
Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A scanning type exposure apparatus, which is used to expose a wafer with an image of a pattern on a reticle by synchronously moving the reticle and the wafer, comprises a second gas conditioner for circulating a temperature-controlled gas in a subsidiary chamber which encloses an optical path of an interferometer for measuring a position of a reticle stage. The apparatus comprises a third gas conditioner for supplying a temperature-controlled gas to an internal space of a pedestal including a wafer stage and an optical path of an interferometer for measuring a position of the wafer stage. A positional error of the stage, which would be otherwise caused by temperature-dependent fluctuation of the gas on the optical path of the interferometer, is reduced. A heat insulating material is installed on a top plate of the pedestal so as to intercept heat transfer from a heat source on the pedestal to the internal space of the pedestal. A tube may be arranged in the pedestal so that a temperature of the pedestal is adjusted by allowing a temperature-controlled fluid to flow therethrough.