IP Library Granted Patent US 7,113,263
Granted Patent B2
US 7,113,263 · App. 10/950,420 · Granted Sep 26, 2006

Supporting structure of optical element, exposure apparatus having the same, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device

Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,113,263
App. No.
10/950,420
Granted
Sep 26, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A supporting structure for supporting an optical element includes a first supporting member for supporting the optical element, and a second supporting member for supporting the first supporting member. The value of a thermal expansion coefficient of the first supporting member is between those of the optical element and the second supporting member.

Claims (13)

1. A supporting structure for supporting an optical element, said supporting structure comprising:

a supported member including the optical element; and

a supporting member for supporting said supported member via a plurality of elastic members, each of which comprises a spring member, having elasticity in a radial direction of the optical element.

2. A structure according to claim 1 , wherein said spring member comprises a plate-shaped spring member.

3. A structure according to claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of elastic members is contacted with an outer surface of said supported member and an inner surface of said supporting member.

4. A structure according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of elastic members are disposed at intervals along a periphery of said supported member.

5. An exposure apparatus for exposing a wafer to light via a reticle, said apparatus comprising:

an illuminating optical system for illuminating the reticle with light from a light source; and

a projection optical system for projecting light from the reticle onto the wafer,

wherein at least one of said illuminating optical system and said projection optical system comprises a supporting structure, as defined in claim 1 , for supporting an optical element.

6. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, said method comprising steps of:

providing a reticle and a wafer into an exposure apparatus as defined in claim 5 ; and

exposing the wafer to light using the exposure apparatus.

Priority Claims (2)
JP 2000-094936 · Mar 30, 2000 · national
JP 2001-080798 · Mar 21, 2001 · national
Continuity (2)
Division 0981701800 · Mar 27, 2001
Related Publication 20050046815A1 · Mar 3, 2005