US20100149513A1 - Fluid pressure compensation for immersion litography lens - Google Patents
Fluid pressure compensation for immersion litography lens Download PDFInfo
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- US20100149513A1 US20100149513A1 US12/656,703 US65670310A US2010149513A1 US 20100149513 A1 US20100149513 A1 US 20100149513A1 US 65670310 A US65670310 A US 65670310A US 2010149513 A1 US2010149513 A1 US 2010149513A1
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- immersion
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- distance
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/70—Microphotolithographic exposure; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/70216—Mask projection systems
- G03F7/70258—Projection system adjustments, e.g. adjustments during exposure or alignment during assembly of projection system
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B27/00—Photographic printing apparatus
- G03B27/32—Projection printing apparatus, e.g. enlarger, copying camera
- G03B27/42—Projection printing apparatus, e.g. enlarger, copying camera for automatic sequential copying of the same original
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B27/00—Photographic printing apparatus
- G03B27/32—Projection printing apparatus, e.g. enlarger, copying camera
- G03B27/52—Details
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B27/00—Photographic printing apparatus
- G03B27/32—Projection printing apparatus, e.g. enlarger, copying camera
- G03B27/52—Details
- G03B27/58—Baseboards, masking frames, or other holders for the sensitive material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/70—Microphotolithographic exposure; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/70216—Mask projection systems
- G03F7/70341—Details of immersion lithography aspects, e.g. exposure media or control of immersion liquid supply
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/70—Microphotolithographic exposure; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/708—Construction of apparatus, e.g. environment aspects, hygiene aspects or materials
- G03F7/70808—Construction details, e.g. housing, load-lock, seals or windows for passing light in or out of apparatus
- G03F7/70833—Mounting of optical systems, e.g. mounting of illumination system, projection system or stage systems on base-plate or ground
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/70—Microphotolithographic exposure; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/708—Construction of apparatus, e.g. environment aspects, hygiene aspects or materials
- G03F7/70858—Environment aspects, e.g. pressure of beam-path gas, temperature
- G03F7/709—Vibration, e.g. vibration detection, compensation, suppression or isolation
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to lithography, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for compensating for pressure exerted on the lithography lens caused by the immersion fluid.
- a lithography apparatus is used to transfer images defined by a reticle or other patterning element such as a programmable mirror array (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,891, 5,523,193 and PCT Application Nos. 98/38597 and 98/33096 for example, all incorporated by reference herein) onto a semiconductor wafer during fabrication.
- a typical lithography apparatus includes an illumination source, a reticle stage assembly for positioning the reticle, a wafer stage for supporting the wafer, and an optical assembly including lenses for projecting the image defined by the reticle onto the wafer. Control and measurement systems are also provided to control the movement of the wafer and measure the position of the wafer relative to the optical assembly respectively.
- Immersion lithography systems utilize a layer of immersion fluid that fills a gap between the final lens of the optical assembly and the wafer.
- the fluid enhances the resolution of the system by enabling exposures with numerical apertures (NA) greater than one, which is the theoretical limit for conventional “dry” lithography.
- NA numerical apertures
- the fluid in the gap permits the exposure with light that would otherwise be totally internally reflected at the optical-air interface.
- numerical apertures as high as the index of refraction of the immersion fluid are possible.
- Fluid immersion also increases the depth of focus, which is the tolerable error in the vertical position of the wafer, compared to a conventional lithography system.
- Immersion lithography thus has the capability of providing resolution down to 50 nanometers or lower.
- fluid pressure on the lens may cause the last lens of the optical assembly to become displaced. More specifically, the amount of force on the lens depends on the pressure exerted by the fluid and the size of the surface area of the lens, lens mount hardware, and any immersion fluid supply nozzles attached to the lens mount hardware.
- the fluid pressure may be caused by a number of reasons. With immersion lithography, the surface tension of the liquid at the air-fluid interface surrounding the exposure area, sometimes referred to as the meniscus, has the effect of sucking or pulling down the lens and optical assembly. Variations in the amount of immersion fluid may also cause pressure variations on the lens. The applicants have found that a positive or negative change of only 0.02 cubic centimeters will cause a change of force of approximately 50 milli-newtons on the lens with an 80 millimeter diameter. Also as water escapes the gap, the water flow also has a tendency to create a pull down force on the lens. Dynamic motion of the wafer in the horizontal plane can cause shear forces that exert pressure on the lens. Vertical motions of the wafer performed for focusing purposes may also cause unwanted vibrations or vertical coupling of the lens.
- An apparatus and method for compensating for pressure exerted on the lithography lens caused by the immersion fluid is therefore needed.
- the present invention is related to an immersion lithography system that compensates for any displacement of the final optical element of the optical assembly caused by the immersion fluid.
- the system includes an optical assembly to project an image defined by the reticle onto the wafer.
- the optical assembly includes a final optical element spaced from the wafer by a gap.
- An immersion element is provided to supply an immersion fluid into the gap and to recover any immersion fluid that escapes the gap.
- a fluid compensation system is provided to compensate for the force on the final optical element of the optical assembly caused by pressure variations of the immersion fluid to minimize the displacement of the final optical element. The resulting force created by the varying pressure may cause the final optical element to become displaced.
- the fluid compensation system is configured to provide a substantially equal, but opposite force on the optical assembly, to prevent the displacement of the final optical element.
- FIG. 1 is an illustration of an immersion apparatus having features of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography lens according to one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 3 is a model diagram of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography lens according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram of the optical assembly clamping the final optical element according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of the final optical element and clamp according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow diagrams illustrating the fabrication of semiconductor devices using the immersion apparatus of the present invention.
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.
- the immersion apparatus 10 includes a reticle stage 12 , an optical assembly 14 including a final optical element 16 , and a wafer stage 18 for supporting a wafer 20 .
- An immersion device 22 is positioned between the final optical element 16 and the wafer 20 on the wafer stage 18 .
- the immersion device is responsible for supplying fluid into the gap 24 between the final optical element 16 and the wafer 20 .
- the immersion device is also responsible for recovering immersion fluid that escapes the gap 24 .
- the immersion fluid may be a liquid such as water or oil.
- FIG. 2 an enlarged cross-section view of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention is shown.
- the apparatus 10 includes a lens mount 32 used to mount the final optical element 16 to the optical assembly 14 .
- the final optical element 16 is positioned over the wafer 20 .
- the immersion device 22 (not shown for the sake of simplicity in FIG. 2 ) is responsible for providing and recovering immersion fluid 34 from the gap 24 .
- a meniscus 35 of immersion fluid is created at the fluid-atmosphere interface below the outer-edge of the lens mount 32 .
- a fluid compensation system 36 is provided to compensate for any changes in the force on the final optical element 16 caused by changes in the pressure of fluid 34 .
- the fluid compensation system 36 includes a chamber 38 that surrounds the last optical element 16 and is positioned between the optical assembly 14 and the lens mount 32 .
- the chamber is filled with immersion fluid 34 .
- Passages 40 fluidly couple the immersion fluid 34 in the gap 24 with the chamber 38 .
- a purge device 44 is fluidly coupled to the chamber 38 through a passage 42 .
- the chamber 38 is generically characterized as a device that is capable of expanding or contracting in the vertical direction but not in the horizontal direction.
- the chamber 38 may be a bellows, piston, diaphragm, or other passive pressure responsive device.
- the passages 40 and 42 may be a duct or other opening fluidly connecting the immersion fluid 34 in the gap with the chamber 38 and purge device 44 .
- changes in the pressure of the immersion fluid 34 may create forces on the final optical element 16 , the lens mount 32 , and the immersion device, all of which may result in displacement of the final optical element 16 .
- the chamber 38 is designed to create an equal but opposite force to compensate or cancel out the force created by the immersion fluid 34 .
- pressure caused by the immersion fluid 34 in the gap 24 increases, an upward force is created on the final optical element 16 .
- the increased pressure concurrently causes a corresponding increase in the pressure in the chamber 38 via the passages 40 .
- the increased pressure results in the expansion of the chamber 38 , creating an equal but opposite downward force on the lens mount 32 . As a result, the final optical element 16 is not displaced.
- the pressure of the immersion fluid 34 decreases in the gap 24 , a downward force on the final optical element 16 is created.
- the decreased pressure results in a corresponding decrease in pressure in the chamber 38 . Consequently, the chamber 38 compresses, causing an equal but opposite upward force on the lens mount 32 . As a result, the final optical element 16 is not displaced.
- the horizontal surface area of the top and bottom surfaces of the lens mount 32 in contact with the chamber 38 and immersion fluid 34 are substantially the same.
- the substantially equal surface area ensures that the chamber 38 exerts an equal but opposite force on the top surface of the lens mount 32 as the immersion fluid 34 exerts on the bottom surface of the mount 32 and the final optical element 16 combination.
- the bottom surface of the lens mount 32 has a radius R 1 and the inner and the optical assembly 14 has an outer and inner radius R 2 and R 3 respectively.
- the lens mount 32 and the optical assembly 14 are round, this shape should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
- the lens mount 32 and optical assembly 14 can be any shape, including but not limited to square, rectangular, oval, etc.
- the equal but opposite forces on the bottom and top surfaces of the lens and lens mount are substantially vertically aligned.
- FIG. 3 a diagram of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention is shown.
- the apparatus 50 includes a lens mount 32 used to mount the final optical element 16 to the optical assembly 14 .
- the final optical element 16 is positioned over the wafer 20 .
- the immersion device 22 (again not shown for the sake of simplicity in FIG. 3 ) is responsible for providing and recovering immersion fluid 34 from the gap 24 .
- a meniscus 35 of immersion fluid is created at the fluid-atmosphere interface below the outer-edge of the lens mount 32 .
- a fluid compensation system 52 is provided to compensate for any changes in the force on the final optical element 16 caused by changes in the pressure of fluid 34 .
- the fluid compensation system 52 includes a pair of actuators 54 mechanically coupled between the lens mount 32 and the sidewalls of the optical assembly 14 .
- Optical position sensors 56 mounted on struts 58 that extend from the sidewalls of the optical assembly, are provided to measure the relative position of the lens mount 32 with respect to the optical assembly 14 .
- a pressure sensor 60 is used to measure the pressure of the immersion fluid 34 in the gap 24 .
- a control system 62 coupled to both the pressure sensor 60 and the position sensors 56 , is used to control the actuators 54 .
- the immersion fluid 34 may become pressurized, either positively or negatively, for the reasons described above. This pressure is applied to the bottom surface of the lens mount 32 , last optical element 16 , and the nozzle, all of which may contribute to the displacement of the final optical element 16 . Pressure variations of the immersion fluid 34 are continuously provided to the control system 62 as measured by the pressure sensor 60 .
- the position sensors 56 also measure the actual position of the lens mount 32 .
- the control system 62 in turn controls the actuators in real time to compensate for any displacement of the final optical element 16 caused by changes in pressure and detected by the position sensors 56 .
- the control system 62 directs the actuators to exert an equal but opposite downward force on the lens mount 32 .
- the control system 62 causes the actuators 54 to exert an upward force on the lens mount 32 when the sensor 60 measures a decrease in immersion fluid 34 pressure. In either case, the actuators 54 prevent the displacement of the final optical element 16 .
- the control system 62 may use inputs from the position sensors 56 and the pressure sensor 60 to control the actuators.
- the control system may use inputs from either the position sensors 56 or the pressure sensor 60 , but not both.
- the actuators may be internal to the lens mount 32 , as opposed to being mechanically coupled between the lens mount 32 and the optical assembly 14 .
- kinematic clamps 70 are used to clamp the final optical element 16 to lens barrels 72 of the optical assembly 14 .
- FIG. 5A a top view of the final optical element 16 is shown. As is illustrated in the figure, the optical element includes a lens portion 16 a and a flanged portion 16 b extending around the periphery of the optical element 16 .
- FIG. 5B a cross section view of the final optical element 16 and a clamp 70 is shown. The clamp 70 is configured to clamp onto the flanged portion 16 b of the final optical element 16 to hold it in place within the optical assembly 14 .
- clamp 70 is described herein as a kinematic clamp, it should be noted that any type of mechanical clamp may be used.
- glue may be used to secure the final optical element 16 to the barrels 72 of the optical assembly 14 .
- only one clamp 70 is shown. It should be noted that typically two, three or even more clamps 70 may be used around the circumference of the final optical element 16 .
- separate or non-clamp actuators can be used to compensate for any displacement of the final optical element 16 , similar to as illustrated in the diagram of FIG. 3 .
- the clamps 70 are the force actuators and are responsible for both holding the final optical element 16 in place within the optical assembly 14 and for providing the equal but opposite force to compensate for any displacement caused by the immersion fluid, similar to the actuators 54 of FIG. 3 .
- the force actuators may be VCMs, El cores, a low stiffness piezo stack, piezo bi-morph, or other magnetic or pressure driven actuators. Regardless of the type of force actuator used, the force applied by the clamps 70 to the kinematic mount should be equal to but opposite the direction of the force created by the immersion fluid 34 . Furthermore, the forces created by each mount can be controlled by the control system 62 so that the center of the effort coincides with center of the fluid force.
- the control system 62 relies on both an actual instantaneous force calculation as measured by the pressure sensors 60 and position feedback as measured by the optical position sensors 56 .
- the instantaneous force is calculated by multiplying the instantaneous pressure times the surface area of the final optical element 16 , lens mount 32 , and immersion element 22 in contact with the immersion fluid.
- An instantaneous counter-force can then be applied based on the outcome of the calculation.
- the position sensors 56 can be used for feedback to adjust the counter-force as necessary.
- control system 62 may rely on either the instantaneous force calculation as measured by the pressure sensors 60 (i.e., an open loop system) or the position feedback as measured by the optical position sensors 56 (i.e., a closed loop system), but not both.
- the immersion apparatus 10 can be used as a scanning type photolithography system that exposes the pattern from a reticle onto the wafer with the reticle and the wafer moving synchronously.
- a scanning type lithographic apparatus the reticle is moved perpendicularly to an optical axis of the optical assembly by a reticle stage assembly and the wafer is moved perpendicularly to the optical axis of the optical assembly 14 by a wafer stage assembly. Scanning of the reticle and the wafer occurs while the reticle and the wafer are moving synchronously.
- the immersion apparatus 10 can be a step-and-repeat type photolithography system that exposes the reticle while the reticle and the wafer are stationary.
- the wafer may be in a constant position relative to the reticle and the optical assembly 14 during the exposure of an individual field.
- the wafer is consecutively moved with the wafer stage assembly perpendicularly to the optical axis of the optical assembly 14 so that the next field of the wafer is brought into position relative to the optical assembly 14 and the reticle for exposure.
- the images on the reticle are sequentially exposed onto the fields of the wafer, and then the next field of the wafer is brought into position relative to the optical assembly 14 and the reticle.
- the immersion apparatus 10 also includes an illumination system (not shown) having an illumination source and an illumination optical assembly.
- the illumination source emits a beam (irradiation) of light energy.
- the illumination optical assembly guides the beam of light energy from the illumination source to the optical assembly 14 .
- the illumination source can be a g-line source (436 nm), an i-line source (365 nm), a KrF excimer laser (248 nm), an ArF excimer laser (193 nm) or a F 2 laser (157 nm).
- step 601 the device's function and performance characteristics are designed.
- step 602 a mask (reticle) having a pattern is designed according to the previous designing step, and in a parallel step 603 a wafer is made from a silicon material.
- the mask pattern designed in step 602 is exposed onto the wafer from step 603 in step 604 by a photolithography system described hereinabove in accordance with the present invention.
- step 605 the semiconductor device is assembled (including the dicing process, bonding process and packaging process), finally, the device is then inspected in step 606 .
- FIG. 6B illustrates a detailed flowchart example of the above-mentioned step 604 in the case of fabricating semiconductor devices.
- step 611 oxidation step
- step 612 CVD step
- step 613 electrode formation step
- step 614 ion implantation step
- steps 611 - 614 form the preprocessing steps for wafers during wafer processing, and selection is made at each step according to processing requirements.
- step 615 photoresist formation step
- step 616 exposure step
- step 617 developing step
- step 618 etching step
- step 619 photoresist removal step
- circuit patterns are formed by repetition of these preprocessing and post-processing steps.
- the apparatus 70 includes a lens mount (not shown) used to mount the final optical element 16 to the optical assembly 14 (not shown).
- the final optical element 16 is positioned over the wafer 20 .
- the immersion device 22 is responsible for providing and recovering immersion fluid 34 from the gap 24 .
- An immersion fluid duct 72 is provided to supply immersion fluid into the gap 24 .
- a gas seal 74 including air nozzle 76 for providing pressurized air or gas and a vacuum port 78 are provided around the periphery of the gap 24 . The gas seal is used to confine or seal the immersion fluid 34 in the gap.
- the air seal 74 may contain two or more air nozzles 76 and/or vacuum ports 78 .
- the gas seal and/or bearing 74 may also be used as an air or gas bearing to support the immersion element 22 over the wafer 20 .
- European Patent Application EP 1 420 298 A2 incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
- the apparatus 70 further includes a pressure sensor 80 fluidly coupled to the immersion fluid 34 in the gap by a duct 82 .
- the pressure sensor 80 is used to measure the pressure of the immersion fluid 34 in the gap 24 .
- the pressure information can then be used to control the velocity of the gas or air exiting nozzle 76 to selectively adjust the height of the gap 24 between the wafer 20 and the immersion device 22 . In other words, the velocity of the air or gas exiting the one or more nozzles 76 can be selectively adjusted to control the force used to support the immersion device 22 .
- the pressure sensor 80 provides instantaneous pressure measurements to the controller 86 .
- the controller generates control signals to a gas flow controller 88 .
- the gas flow controller 88 controls the velocity and pressure of the gas exiting the nozzle or nozzles 76 of the gas seal 74 .
- the gap 24 between the wafer 20 and the immersion device 22 can be selectively controlled.
- the pressure and velocity can be altered on the fly to maintain a constant gap 24 as the pressure of the immersion fluid varies.
- the pressure and velocity can be altered to selectively control the height of the gap.
- the controller 86 and gas flow control can be one device or separate devices.
Abstract
An immersion lithography system compensates for displacement of the final optical element of the optical assembly caused by the immersion fluid. The system includes an optical assembly to project an image defined by a reticle onto a wafer. The optical assembly includes a final optical element spaced from the wafer by a gap. An immersion element supplies an immersion fluid into the gap and recovers any immersion fluid that escapes the gap. A fluid compensation system applies a force to the final optical element of the optical assembly to compensate for pressure variations of the immersion fluid.
Description
- This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/628,942, which is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2004/042808 filed Dec. 20, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/580,510 filed on Jun. 17, 2004. The disclosure of each of the prior applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- The present invention relates generally to lithography, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for compensating for pressure exerted on the lithography lens caused by the immersion fluid.
- A lithography apparatus is used to transfer images defined by a reticle or other patterning element such as a programmable mirror array (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,891, 5,523,193 and PCT Application Nos. 98/38597 and 98/33096 for example, all incorporated by reference herein) onto a semiconductor wafer during fabrication. A typical lithography apparatus includes an illumination source, a reticle stage assembly for positioning the reticle, a wafer stage for supporting the wafer, and an optical assembly including lenses for projecting the image defined by the reticle onto the wafer. Control and measurement systems are also provided to control the movement of the wafer and measure the position of the wafer relative to the optical assembly respectively.
- Immersion lithography systems utilize a layer of immersion fluid that fills a gap between the final lens of the optical assembly and the wafer. The fluid enhances the resolution of the system by enabling exposures with numerical apertures (NA) greater than one, which is the theoretical limit for conventional “dry” lithography. The fluid in the gap permits the exposure with light that would otherwise be totally internally reflected at the optical-air interface. With immersion lithography, numerical apertures as high as the index of refraction of the immersion fluid are possible. Fluid immersion also increases the depth of focus, which is the tolerable error in the vertical position of the wafer, compared to a conventional lithography system. Immersion lithography thus has the capability of providing resolution down to 50 nanometers or lower.
- One potential issue with immersion lithography is that fluid pressure on the lens may cause the last lens of the optical assembly to become displaced. More specifically, the amount of force on the lens depends on the pressure exerted by the fluid and the size of the surface area of the lens, lens mount hardware, and any immersion fluid supply nozzles attached to the lens mount hardware.
- The fluid pressure may be caused by a number of reasons. With immersion lithography, the surface tension of the liquid at the air-fluid interface surrounding the exposure area, sometimes referred to as the meniscus, has the effect of sucking or pulling down the lens and optical assembly. Variations in the amount of immersion fluid may also cause pressure variations on the lens. The applicants have found that a positive or negative change of only 0.02 cubic centimeters will cause a change of force of approximately 50 milli-newtons on the lens with an 80 millimeter diameter. Also as water escapes the gap, the water flow also has a tendency to create a pull down force on the lens. Dynamic motion of the wafer in the horizontal plane can cause shear forces that exert pressure on the lens. Vertical motions of the wafer performed for focusing purposes may also cause unwanted vibrations or vertical coupling of the lens.
- Excessive forces exerted on the last lens of the optical assembly can cause a number of problems during exposure operation. If the force causes the lens to be displaced, the resulting image projected onto the wafer may be out of focus.
- On the other hand, if the optical assembly is too rigidly mounted to prevent the displacement, lens aberrations may result due to thermal expansion, again resulting in a blurring of the projected image.
- An apparatus and method for compensating for pressure exerted on the lithography lens caused by the immersion fluid is therefore needed.
- The present invention is related to an immersion lithography system that compensates for any displacement of the final optical element of the optical assembly caused by the immersion fluid. The system includes an optical assembly to project an image defined by the reticle onto the wafer. The optical assembly includes a final optical element spaced from the wafer by a gap. An immersion element is provided to supply an immersion fluid into the gap and to recover any immersion fluid that escapes the gap. A fluid compensation system is provided to compensate for the force on the final optical element of the optical assembly caused by pressure variations of the immersion fluid to minimize the displacement of the final optical element. The resulting force created by the varying pressure may cause the final optical element to become displaced. The fluid compensation system is configured to provide a substantially equal, but opposite force on the optical assembly, to prevent the displacement of the final optical element.
-
FIG. 1 is an illustration of an immersion apparatus having features of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography lens according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a model diagram of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography lens according to a second embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4 is a diagram of the optical assembly clamping the final optical element according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of the final optical element and clamp according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow diagrams illustrating the fabrication of semiconductor devices using the immersion apparatus of the present invention. -
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. - Like reference numbers refer to like elements in the Figures.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , an immersion apparatus is shown. Theimmersion apparatus 10 includes areticle stage 12, anoptical assembly 14 including a finaloptical element 16, and awafer stage 18 for supporting awafer 20. Animmersion device 22, sometimes referred to as a nozzle, is positioned between the finaloptical element 16 and thewafer 20 on thewafer stage 18. The immersion device is responsible for supplying fluid into thegap 24 between the finaloptical element 16 and thewafer 20. The immersion device is also responsible for recovering immersion fluid that escapes thegap 24. In various embodiments, the immersion fluid may be a liquid such as water or oil. For more details on the immersion device, see PCT Application No. PCT/US04/22915, filed Jul. 16, 2004, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Providing Fluid for Immersion Lithography” (corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/362,833 published as U.S. 2006/0152697), assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated by reference herein for all purposes or a gas seal as described inEuropean Application EP 1 420 298 A2, also incorporated by reference herein. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , an enlarged cross-section view of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention is shown. Theapparatus 10 includes alens mount 32 used to mount the finaloptical element 16 to theoptical assembly 14. The finaloptical element 16 is positioned over thewafer 20. The immersion device 22 (not shown for the sake of simplicity inFIG. 2 ) is responsible for providing and recoveringimmersion fluid 34 from thegap 24. Ameniscus 35 of immersion fluid is created at the fluid-atmosphere interface below the outer-edge of thelens mount 32. - A
fluid compensation system 36 is provided to compensate for any changes in the force on the finaloptical element 16 caused by changes in the pressure offluid 34. Thefluid compensation system 36 includes achamber 38 that surrounds the lastoptical element 16 and is positioned between theoptical assembly 14 and thelens mount 32. The chamber is filled withimmersion fluid 34.Passages 40 fluidly couple theimmersion fluid 34 in thegap 24 with thechamber 38. Apurge device 44 is fluidly coupled to thechamber 38 through apassage 42. For the purposes of this application, thechamber 38 is generically characterized as a device that is capable of expanding or contracting in the vertical direction but not in the horizontal direction. In various embodiments, thechamber 38 may be a bellows, piston, diaphragm, or other passive pressure responsive device. Thepassages immersion fluid 34 in the gap with thechamber 38 andpurge device 44. - During operation, changes in the pressure of the
immersion fluid 34 may create forces on the finaloptical element 16, thelens mount 32, and the immersion device, all of which may result in displacement of the finaloptical element 16. Thechamber 38 is designed to create an equal but opposite force to compensate or cancel out the force created by theimmersion fluid 34. When pressure caused by theimmersion fluid 34 in thegap 24 increases, an upward force is created on the finaloptical element 16. The increased pressure concurrently causes a corresponding increase in the pressure in thechamber 38 via thepassages 40. The increased pressure results in the expansion of thechamber 38, creating an equal but opposite downward force on thelens mount 32. As a result, the finaloptical element 16 is not displaced. Alternatively, if the pressure of theimmersion fluid 34 decreases in thegap 24, a downward force on the finaloptical element 16 is created. The decreased pressure results in a corresponding decrease in pressure in thechamber 38. Consequently, thechamber 38 compresses, causing an equal but opposite upward force on thelens mount 32. As a result, the finaloptical element 16 is not displaced. - In one embodiment, the horizontal surface area of the top and bottom surfaces of the
lens mount 32 in contact with thechamber 38 andimmersion fluid 34 are substantially the same. The substantially equal surface area ensures that thechamber 38 exerts an equal but opposite force on the top surface of thelens mount 32 as theimmersion fluid 34 exerts on the bottom surface of themount 32 and the finaloptical element 16 combination. Assume inFIG. 2 that the bottom surface of thelens mount 32 has a radius R1 and the inner and theoptical assembly 14 has an outer and inner radius R2 and R3 respectively. When the equation πR1 2=πR2 2−πR3 2 is satisfied, then the top and bottom surface areas in contact with thechamber 38 andimmersion fluid 34 are substantially the same. For example, this relationship is satisfied when R1=4, R2=5 and R3=3 measurement units respectively. Although in this example thelens mount 32 and theoptical assembly 14 are round, this shape should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In various embodiments, thelens mount 32 andoptical assembly 14 can be any shape, including but not limited to square, rectangular, oval, etc. In other embodiments, the equal but opposite forces on the bottom and top surfaces of the lens and lens mount are substantially vertically aligned. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , a diagram of a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. Theapparatus 50 includes alens mount 32 used to mount the finaloptical element 16 to theoptical assembly 14. The finaloptical element 16 is positioned over thewafer 20. The immersion device 22 (again not shown for the sake of simplicity inFIG. 3 ) is responsible for providing and recoveringimmersion fluid 34 from thegap 24. Ameniscus 35 of immersion fluid is created at the fluid-atmosphere interface below the outer-edge of thelens mount 32. - A
fluid compensation system 52 is provided to compensate for any changes in the force on the finaloptical element 16 caused by changes in the pressure offluid 34. Thefluid compensation system 52 includes a pair ofactuators 54 mechanically coupled between thelens mount 32 and the sidewalls of theoptical assembly 14.Optical position sensors 56, mounted onstruts 58 that extend from the sidewalls of the optical assembly, are provided to measure the relative position of thelens mount 32 with respect to theoptical assembly 14. Apressure sensor 60 is used to measure the pressure of theimmersion fluid 34 in thegap 24. Acontrol system 62, coupled to both thepressure sensor 60 and theposition sensors 56, is used to control theactuators 54. - During immersion lithography, the
immersion fluid 34 may become pressurized, either positively or negatively, for the reasons described above. This pressure is applied to the bottom surface of thelens mount 32, lastoptical element 16, and the nozzle, all of which may contribute to the displacement of the finaloptical element 16. Pressure variations of theimmersion fluid 34 are continuously provided to thecontrol system 62 as measured by thepressure sensor 60. Theposition sensors 56 also measure the actual position of thelens mount 32. Thecontrol system 62 in turn controls the actuators in real time to compensate for any displacement of the finaloptical element 16 caused by changes in pressure and detected by theposition sensors 56. For example, when an increase in pressure causes the final optical element to be displaced upward, thecontrol system 62 directs the actuators to exert an equal but opposite downward force on thelens mount 32. Alternatively, thecontrol system 62 causes theactuators 54 to exert an upward force on thelens mount 32 when thesensor 60 measures a decrease inimmersion fluid 34 pressure. In either case, theactuators 54 prevent the displacement of the finaloptical element 16. In various other embodiments, thecontrol system 62 may use inputs from theposition sensors 56 and thepressure sensor 60 to control the actuators. Alternatively, the control system may use inputs from either theposition sensors 56 or thepressure sensor 60, but not both. In yet another embodiment, the actuators may be internal to thelens mount 32, as opposed to being mechanically coupled between thelens mount 32 and theoptical assembly 14. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , an enlarged diagram of theoptical assembly 14 is shown. In one embodiment, kinematic clamps 70 are used to clamp the finaloptical element 16 to lens barrels 72 of theoptical assembly 14. Referring toFIG. 5A , a top view of the finaloptical element 16 is shown. As is illustrated in the figure, the optical element includes a lens portion 16 a and a flanged portion 16 b extending around the periphery of theoptical element 16. Referring toFIG. 5B , a cross section view of the finaloptical element 16 and aclamp 70 is shown. Theclamp 70 is configured to clamp onto the flanged portion 16 b of the finaloptical element 16 to hold it in place within theoptical assembly 14. Although theclamp 70 is described herein as a kinematic clamp, it should be noted that any type of mechanical clamp may be used. In yet another embodiment, glue may be used to secure the finaloptical element 16 to thebarrels 72 of theoptical assembly 14. For the sake of simplicity, only oneclamp 70 is shown. It should be noted that typically two, three or even more clamps 70 may be used around the circumference of the finaloptical element 16. In embodiments where glue is used, separate or non-clamp actuators can be used to compensate for any displacement of the finaloptical element 16, similar to as illustrated in the diagram ofFIG. 3 . - In one embodiment, the
clamps 70 are the force actuators and are responsible for both holding the finaloptical element 16 in place within theoptical assembly 14 and for providing the equal but opposite force to compensate for any displacement caused by the immersion fluid, similar to theactuators 54 ofFIG. 3 . In various embodiments, the force actuators may be VCMs, El cores, a low stiffness piezo stack, piezo bi-morph, or other magnetic or pressure driven actuators. Regardless of the type of force actuator used, the force applied by theclamps 70 to the kinematic mount should be equal to but opposite the direction of the force created by theimmersion fluid 34. Furthermore, the forces created by each mount can be controlled by thecontrol system 62 so that the center of the effort coincides with center of the fluid force. - In the aforementioned embodiments, the
control system 62 relies on both an actual instantaneous force calculation as measured by thepressure sensors 60 and position feedback as measured by theoptical position sensors 56. For example, the instantaneous force is calculated by multiplying the instantaneous pressure times the surface area of the finaloptical element 16,lens mount 32, andimmersion element 22 in contact with the immersion fluid. An instantaneous counter-force can then be applied based on the outcome of the calculation. Theposition sensors 56 can be used for feedback to adjust the counter-force as necessary. In other embodiments, however, thecontrol system 62 may rely on either the instantaneous force calculation as measured by the pressure sensors 60 (i.e., an open loop system) or the position feedback as measured by the optical position sensors 56 (i.e., a closed loop system), but not both. - According to various embodiments, the
immersion apparatus 10 can be used as a scanning type photolithography system that exposes the pattern from a reticle onto the wafer with the reticle and the wafer moving synchronously. In a scanning type lithographic apparatus, the reticle is moved perpendicularly to an optical axis of the optical assembly by a reticle stage assembly and the wafer is moved perpendicularly to the optical axis of theoptical assembly 14 by a wafer stage assembly. Scanning of the reticle and the wafer occurs while the reticle and the wafer are moving synchronously. - Alternatively, the
immersion apparatus 10 can be a step-and-repeat type photolithography system that exposes the reticle while the reticle and the wafer are stationary. In the step and repeat process, the wafer may be in a constant position relative to the reticle and theoptical assembly 14 during the exposure of an individual field. Subsequently, between consecutive exposure steps, the wafer is consecutively moved with the wafer stage assembly perpendicularly to the optical axis of theoptical assembly 14 so that the next field of the wafer is brought into position relative to theoptical assembly 14 and the reticle for exposure. Following this process, the images on the reticle are sequentially exposed onto the fields of the wafer, and then the next field of the wafer is brought into position relative to theoptical assembly 14 and the reticle. - As is well known in the art, the
immersion apparatus 10 also includes an illumination system (not shown) having an illumination source and an illumination optical assembly. The illumination source emits a beam (irradiation) of light energy. The illumination optical assembly guides the beam of light energy from the illumination source to theoptical assembly 14. The illumination source can be a g-line source (436 nm), an i-line source (365 nm), a KrF excimer laser (248 nm), an ArF excimer laser (193 nm) or a F2 laser (157 nm). - Semiconductor devices can be fabricated using the above described systems, by the process shown generally in
FIG. 6A . Instep 601 the device's function and performance characteristics are designed. Next, instep 602, a mask (reticle) having a pattern is designed according to the previous designing step, and in a parallel step 603 a wafer is made from a silicon material. The mask pattern designed instep 602 is exposed onto the wafer fromstep 603 instep 604 by a photolithography system described hereinabove in accordance with the present invention. Instep 605 the semiconductor device is assembled (including the dicing process, bonding process and packaging process), finally, the device is then inspected instep 606. -
FIG. 6B illustrates a detailed flowchart example of the above-mentionedstep 604 in the case of fabricating semiconductor devices. InFIG. 6B , in step 611 (oxidation step), the wafer surface is oxidized. In step 612 (CVD step), an insulation film is formed on the wafer surface. In step 613 (electrode formation step), electrodes are formed on the wafer by vapor deposition. In step 614 (ion implantation step), ions are implanted in the wafer. The above mentioned steps 611-614 form the preprocessing steps for wafers during wafer processing, and selection is made at each step according to processing requirements. - At each stage of wafer processing, when the above-mentioned preprocessing steps have been completed, the following post-processing steps are implemented. During post-processing, first, in step 615 (photoresist formation step), photoresist is applied to a wafer. Next, in step 616 (exposure step), the above-mentioned exposure device is used to transfer the circuit pattern of a mask (reticle) to a wafer. Then in step 617 (developing step), the exposed wafer is developed, and in step 618 (etching step), parts other than residual photoresist (exposed material surface) are removed by etching. In step 619 (photoresist removal step), unnecessary photoresist remaining after etching is removed.
- Multiple circuit patterns are formed by repetition of these preprocessing and post-processing steps.
- Referring to
FIG. 7A , a fluid pressure compensation system for an immersion lithography apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. Theapparatus 70 includes a lens mount (not shown) used to mount the finaloptical element 16 to the optical assembly 14 (not shown). The finaloptical element 16 is positioned over thewafer 20. Theimmersion device 22 is responsible for providing and recoveringimmersion fluid 34 from thegap 24. Animmersion fluid duct 72 is provided to supply immersion fluid into thegap 24. Agas seal 74 includingair nozzle 76 for providing pressurized air or gas and avacuum port 78 are provided around the periphery of thegap 24. The gas seal is used to confine or seal theimmersion fluid 34 in the gap. In various embodiments, theair seal 74 may contain two ormore air nozzles 76 and/orvacuum ports 78. The gas seal and/or bearing 74 may also be used as an air or gas bearing to support theimmersion element 22 over thewafer 20. For more details on thegas seal 74, see EuropeanPatent Application EP 1 420 298 A2 incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Theapparatus 70 further includes apressure sensor 80 fluidly coupled to theimmersion fluid 34 in the gap by aduct 82. Thepressure sensor 80 is used to measure the pressure of theimmersion fluid 34 in thegap 24. The pressure information can then be used to control the velocity of the gas orair exiting nozzle 76 to selectively adjust the height of thegap 24 between thewafer 20 and theimmersion device 22. In other words, the velocity of the air or gas exiting the one ormore nozzles 76 can be selectively adjusted to control the force used to support theimmersion device 22. - Referring to
FIG. 7B , a block diagram of acontrol system 84 is shown. Thepressure sensor 80 provides instantaneous pressure measurements to thecontroller 86. In turn, the controller generates control signals to agas flow controller 88. Thegas flow controller 88 controls the velocity and pressure of the gas exiting the nozzle ornozzles 76 of thegas seal 74. By controlling the pressure and velocity, thegap 24 between thewafer 20 and theimmersion device 22 can be selectively controlled. For example, the pressure and velocity can be altered on the fly to maintain aconstant gap 24 as the pressure of the immersion fluid varies. Alternatively, the pressure and velocity can be altered to selectively control the height of the gap. In various embodiments, thecontroller 86 and gas flow control can be one device or separate devices. - While the particular exposure apparatus as shown and disclosed herein is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.
Claims (26)
1. A method used in a liquid immersion lithography apparatus, the method comprising:
measuring a pressure in a gap between a wafer and an optical member of the liquid immersion lithography apparatus in which the wafer is exposed through a liquid filled in the gap during immersion lithography; and
adjusting a distance between the wafer and an immersion device of the liquid immersion lithography apparatus, wherein the immersion device supplies the liquid.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance is adjusted based on the measured pressure.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the distance is adjusted so as to maintain the distance constant.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the distance is varied based on the measured pressure.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the distance is adjusted by adjusting a flow of gas emitted toward the wafer by the immersion device.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the gas forms a gas seal that confines the liquid within the gap.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the emitted gas forms a gas bearing that supports the immersion device above the wafer.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance is adjusted so as to maintain the distance constant.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance is varied based on the measured pressure.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance is adjusted by adjusting a flow of gas emitted toward the wafer by the immersion device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the gas forms a gas seal that confines the liquid within the gap.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the emitted gas forms a gas bearing that supports the immersion device above the wafer.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is oil.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immersion device recovers the liquid that has been supplied to the gap.
16. A liquid immersion lithography apparatus comprising:
a wafer table that supports a wafer;
an optical assembly that projects an image of a pattern onto the wafer held by the wafer table, the optical assembly including a final optical element spaced from the wafer by a gap;
an immersion nozzle that supplies an immersion liquid to the gap between the final optical element and the wafer;
a pressure sensor that measures a pressure in the gap between the final optical element and the wafer; and
a control system that adjusts a distance between the immersion nozzle and the wafer based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the control system adjusts the distance to maintain the distance constant.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the control system varies the distance based on the measured pressure.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the immersion nozzle includes one or more gas nozzles that emit a gas toward the wafer, and the distance is adjusted by controlling a flow of the gas.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the gas forms a gas seal that confines the immersion liquid within the gap.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the emitted gas forms a gas bearing that supports the immersion nozzle above the wafer.
22. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the immersion liquid is water.
23. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the immersion liquid is oil.
24. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the immersion nozzle recovers the immersion liquid that has been supplied to the gap.
25. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the pressure sensor measures the pressure of the immersion liquid in the gap.
26. A device manufacturing method comprising:
exposing a wafer with an image of a pattern through the optical assembly and the immersion liquid of the apparatus of claim 16 ; and
developing the exposed wafer.
Priority Applications (1)
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US58051004P | 2004-06-17 | 2004-06-17 | |
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US62894206A | 2006-12-08 | 2006-12-08 | |
US12/656,703 US20100149513A1 (en) | 2004-06-17 | 2010-02-12 | Fluid pressure compensation for immersion litography lens |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP4623095B2 (en) | 2011-02-02 |
KR101259190B1 (en) | 2013-04-29 |
KR20070026824A (en) | 2007-03-08 |
HK1095388A1 (en) | 2007-05-04 |
EP1756663A4 (en) | 2009-08-12 |
EP1756663A1 (en) | 2007-02-28 |
WO2006009573A1 (en) | 2006-01-26 |
EP1756663B1 (en) | 2015-12-16 |
US7688421B2 (en) | 2010-03-30 |
US20080316445A1 (en) | 2008-12-25 |
JP2008503088A (en) | 2008-01-31 |
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