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:
Jan. 22, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 25, 1999
Masayuki Murayama, Kanagawa-ken, JP;
Haruo Ozawa, Tokyo, JP;
Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A projection exposure apparatus for projecting a pattern image of an illuminated mask onto a substrate. The optical path can be divided into a plurality of hermetic blocks each having an inert gas sealed therein by a plurality of partition devices. According a one aspect of the invention, a hermetic sealing member is disposed in the space between the substrate-side of the projection optical system and the substrate for replacing the atmosphere existing in the optical path of the illuminating light in that space by a substance other than oxygen. According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of independent chambers are formed in a frame. Lids, piping, and valves in the chambers are opened or closed in response to the value detected by oxygen density sensors.