Patent US4880310A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4880310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical device for alignment in a projection exposure apparatus
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1988-12-20
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Granted: 1989-11-14
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Expires: 2008-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An optical device for alignment in a projection exposure apparatus used for the alignment of a mask illuminated by exposure light of a predetermined wavelength and a substrate onto which the image of the pattern of the mask is projected through a projection optical system comprises a first alignment mark provided on the mask, a second alignment mark provided on the substrate, a light source emitting alignment light of the wavelength differing from that of the exposure light to irradiate the first and second alignment marks, a light condensing optical device provided between the mask and the light source for condensing the alignment light at at least two locations on the mask and at a position conjugate with the substrate with respect to the projection optical system under the alignment light, and a device for detecting the relative position of the two marks on the basis of optical information from the first and second alignment marks.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenji Nishi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F9/00; G03F9/70; G03F9/7065; G03F9/7049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A device for aligning an object provided with first alignment mark means and a substrate provided with second alignment mark means, comprising: means for disposing said object and said substrate on first and second planes, respectively; an imaging optical system provided between said first and second planes so that said first and second planes are substantially conjugate with each other with respect to said imaging optical system under a first wavelength; means for radiating an energy beam having a second wavelength differing from said first wavelength; optical means, provided between said radiating means and said first plane, for condensing a first beam part separated from said energy beam onto said first plane to form a beam spot on said first alignment mark means and condensing a second beam part separated from said energy beam onto said second plane in cooperation with said imaging optical system to form a beam spot on said second alignment mark means; and means for detecting the relative position of said object and said substrate on the basis of optical information from said first and second alignment mark means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A device for aligning an object provided with first alignment mark means and a substrate provided with second alignment mark means, comprising: means for disposing said object and said substrate on first and second planes, respectively; an imaging optical system provided between said first and second planes so that said first and second planes are substantially conjugate with each other with respect to said imaging optical system under a first wavelength; means for radiating an energy beam having a second wavelength differing from said first wavelength; optical means, provided between said radiating means and said first plane, for condensing a first beam part separated from said energy beam onto said first plane to form a beam spot on said first alignment mark means and condensing a second beam part separated from said energy beam onto said second plane in cooperation with said imaging optical system to form a beam spot on said second alignment mark means; and means for detecting the relative position of said object and said substrate on the basis of optical information from said first and second alignment mark means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes first and second aperture stops disposed at respective positions substantially conjugate with said first and second planes under said second wavelength, respectively, and includes first and second detectors receiving first and second beam parts passing through said first and second aperture stops, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said optical means includes a multifocus optical system for condensing said first beam part at a first position and condensing said second beam part at a second position differing from said first position in the direction of an optic axis, and objective lens means for condensing said first beam part condensed at said first position onto said first plane and condensing said second beam part condensed at said second position onto said second plane in cooperation with said imaging optical system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said multifocus optical system includes a zone plate member having a Fresnel pattern for diffracting light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said multifocus optical system includes a double-focus Fresnel lens having two curved surfaces of different curvatures alternately.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said multifocus optical system includes means for separating said beam parts utilizing double refraction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said multifocus optical system includes a double refraction lens means for separating said energy beam into an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray whose polarized planes are perpendicular to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said multifocus optical system separates said energy beam into polarized components and condenses one of said components at said first position and another of said components at said second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein said detecting means includes first detector means for receiving said one polarized component from said object through said optical means and second detector means for receiving said other polarized component from said substrate through said optical means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
208 words
A device for aligning an object provided with first alignment mark means and a substrate provided with second alignment mark means, comprising: means for disposing said object and said substrate on first and second planes, respectively; an imaging optical system provided between said first and second planes so that said first and second planes are substantially conjugate with each other with respect to said imaging optical system under a first wavelength; radiation means for radiating an energy beam having a second wavelength differing from said first wavelength; optical means, provided between said radiating means and said first plane, for condensing a first beam part separated from said energy beam onto said first plane to form a beam spot on said object and condensing a second beam part separated from said energy beam onto said second plane in cooperation with said imaging optical system to form a beam spot on said substrate; means for shifting said energy beam so that said beam spots are simultaneously moved on said first and second planes to scan said first and second alignment mark means, respectively; and means for detecting the relative position of said object and said substrate on the basis of optical information from said first and second alignment mark means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
208 words
A device for aligning an object provided with first alignment mark means and a substrate provided with second alignment mark means, comprising: means for disposing said object and said substrate on first and second planes, respectively; an imaging optical system provided between said first and second planes so that said first and second planes are substantially conjugate with each other with respect to said imaging optical system under a first wavelength; radiation means for radiating an energy beam having a second wavelength differing from said first wavelength; optical means, provided between said radiating means and said first plane, for condensing a first beam part separated from said energy beam onto said first plane to form a beam spot on said object and condensing a second beam part separated from said energy beam onto said second plane in cooperation with said imaging optical system to form a beam spot on said substrate; means for shifting said energy beam so that said beam spots are simultaneously moved on said first and second planes to scan said first and second alignment mark means, respectively; and means for detecting the relative position of said object and said substrate on the basis of optical information from said first and second alignment mark means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said optical means includes a multifocus optical system for condensing said first beam part at a first position and condensing said second beam part at a second position differing from said first position in the direction of an optic axis, and objective lens means for condensing said first beam part condensed at said first position onto said first plane and condensing said second beam part condensed at said second position onto said second plane in cooperation with said imaging optical system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said shifting means includes a reflecting surface disposed between said radiation means and said optical means and moved to vary the angle of reflection of said reflecting surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said reflecting surface is disposed at a position substantially conjugate with a pupil of said imaging optical system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said detecting means includes light-receiving means for receiving said optical information reflected by said reflecting surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 14, wherein said light-receiving means includes an imaging lens system, a field stop provided on an imaging plane of said imaging lens system, and a detector for receiving said optical information passed through said field stop.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
209 words
A device for aligning an object provided with first alignment mark means and a substrate provided with second alignment mark means, comprising: means for disposing said object and said substrate on first and second planes, respectively; an imaging optical system provided between said first and second planes so that said first and second planes are substantially conjugate with each other with respect to said imaging optical system under a first wavelength; means for radiating an energy beam having a second wavelength differing from said first wavelength; optical means, provided between said radiating means and said first plane, for condensing a first beam part separated from said energy beam onto said first plane to form a beam spot on said first alignment mark means and condensing a second beam part separated from said energy beam onto said second plane in cooperation with said imaging optical system to form a beam spot on said second alignment mark means; and means for detecting the relative position of said object and said substrate on the basis of optical information from said first and second alignment mark means; said optical means being provided between said first plane and said detecting means, and said detecting means receiving said optical information passed through said optical means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
209 words
A device for aligning an object provided with first alignment mark means and a substrate provided with second alignment mark means, comprising: means for disposing said object and said substrate on first and second planes, respectively; an imaging optical system provided between said first and second planes so that said first and second planes are substantially conjugate with each other with respect to said imaging optical system under a first wavelength; means for radiating an energy beam having a second wavelength differing from said first wavelength; optical means, provided between said radiating means and said first plane, for condensing a first beam part separated from said energy beam onto said first plane to form a beam spot on said first alignment mark means and condensing a second beam part separated from said energy beam onto said second plane in cooperation with said imaging optical system to form a beam spot on said second alignment mark means; and means for detecting the relative position of said object and said substrate on the basis of optical information from said first and second alignment mark means; said optical means being provided between said first plane and said detecting means, and said detecting means receiving said optical information passed through said optical means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
79 words
A device according to claim 16, wherein said detecting means includes an imaging lens system adapted to condense said optical information at an imaging plane, a field stop provided on said imaging plane of said imaging lens system, a first detector adapted to receive said optical information passed through said field stop from said first alignment mark means, and a second detector adapted to receive said optical information passed through said field stop from said second alignment mark means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-13 | 1993-05-15 | 1993-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-05-15 | 1997-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-13 | 2001-05-15 | 2001-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |