IP Library Granted Patent US 7,652,748
Granted Patent B2
US 7,652,748 · App. 12/101,314 · Granted Jan 26, 2010

Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,652,748
App. No.
12/101,314
Granted
Jan 26, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate through a reticle. The apparatus includes a chamber in which an exposure process is to be carried out, a circulation system configured to circulate a gas through the chamber, a supplying system configured to supply water, supplied from a facility, to a heat source inside the exposure apparatus, and a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between a gas discharged out of the chamber by the circulation system and the water to be supplied to the heat source by the supplying system.

Claims (22)

1. An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate through a reticle, said apparatus comprising:

a chamber in which an exposure process is to be carried out;

a circulation system configured to circulate, within said exposure apparatus, a gas through said chamber;

a supplying system configured to supply water, supplied from a facility, to a heat source inside said exposure apparatus;

a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between a gas discharged out of said chamber by said circulation system and the water supplied to the heat source by said supplying system;

a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the water, at a position downstream of said heat exchanger and upstream of the heat source, with respect to the flow of water of said supplying system,

wherein said circulation system includes (i) a first path that extends through said heat exchanger, (ii) a second path that bypasses said heat exchanger, and (iii) a valve mechanism configured to adjust a flow amount of the gas passing through the first path; and

a controller for controlling said valve mechanism on the basis of a measurement made by said temperature sensor.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a cooling device configured to cool a gas and a heating device for heating the gas cooled by said cooling device, each of said cooling device and said heating device being disposed at a position downstream of said heat exchanger and upstream of said chamber with respect to the flow of water of said supplying system.

3. A device manufacturing method, comprising the steps of:

exposing a substrate to light through a reticle by use of an exposure apparatus as recited in claim 1 ;

developing the exposed substrate; and

processing the developed substrate to produce a device.

4. An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate through a reticle, said apparatus comprising:

a chamber in which an exposure process is to be carried out;

a temperature adjusting device connected to a gas-flow inlet port and a gas-flow outlet port provided in said chamber, and configured to adjust a temperature of a gas inside said chamber;

a circulation system configured to circulate the gas through said chamber and said temperature adjusting device;

a supplying system configured to supply water, supplied from a facility, to a heat source inside said exposure apparatus;

a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between a gas discharged out of said chamber by said circulation system and the water supplied to the heat source by said supplying system;

a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the water, at a position downstream of said heat exchanger and upstream of the heat source, with respect to the flow of water of said supplying system,

wherein said circulation system includes (i) a first path that extends through said heat exchanger, (ii) a second path that bypasses said heat exchanger, and (iii) a valve mechanism configured to adjust a flow amount of the gas passing through the first path; and

a controller for controlling said valve mechanism on the basis of a measurement made by said temperature sensor.

Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2024
From: STODGE INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 069599/0896 →