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:
Apr. 13, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 21, 1996
Yukio Kakizaki, Kanagawa-ken, JP;
Toru Kiuchi, Higashi-kurume-si, JP;
Kesayoshi Amano, Tokyo, JP;
Toshikazu Umatate, Tokyo, JP;
Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In order to reduce mask pattern transfer error caused by expansion of the mask substrate during transferring the circuit pattern onto the photosensitive substrate, a mask substrate is loosely supported on a plurality of mounts on the mask stage so that the mask substrate can freely expand in response to changes in its temperature. A measuring instrument (such as a temperature sensor or an interferometer) is used to measure a value representing the expansion amount of the mask substrate. Alignment and positioning of the mask substrate and the photosensitive substrate is adjusted in response to the expansion amount of the reticle, based on the measured value.