An exposure apparatus can mitigate the impact of fluctuations in the refractive index of ambient gas, and improve, for example, stage positioning accuracy. An exposure apparatus radiates an exposure illumination light to a wafer on a wafer stage through a projection optical system, and forms a prescribed pattern on the wafer, and comprises: a scale, which is provided to the wafer stage; a plurality of X heads, which detect information related to the position of the scale; a measurement frame that integrally supports the plurality of X heads and has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion that is smaller than that of the main body of the wafer stage (portions excepting a plate wherein the scale is formed); and a control apparatus that derives information related to the displacement of the wafer stage based on the detection results of the plurality of X heads.

In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate.

A stage apparatus PST is provided with a holder PH, which has a substrate holding surface 33A that holds a substrate P; a stage 52, which supports and moves the holder PH; and a recovery apparatus 60, which is disposed in the vicinity of the holder PH and has lyophilic parts 3, 5 of which at least a part of each is lyophilic, that uses the lyophilic parts 3, 5 to recover a liquid 1. As a result, the infiltration of liquid into the space between the substrate and the holder is prevented, even if performing an exposure treatment by filling the space between a projection optical system and the substrate with the liquid.

A liquid immersion exposure apparatus has: a projection system with an optical element; a substrate stage having a holder by which a substrate is held; an immersion area forming member having an opening through which exposure light is projected, a plurality of liquid recovery ports arranged facing downwardly and surrounding the opening, and a plurality of liquid supply ports arranged facing downwardly and between the opening and the liquid recovery ports; and a sensor having a transparent member and a light receiver, with the transparent member being provided at the substrate stage and the light receiver receiving light from the projection system through the transparent member and liquid between the end surface of the optical element and the transparent member.

A component for a lithography tool, the component including a member having a primary surface; a conduit defined within the member and configured to receive a fluid under pressure; a compressible region within the member and located between the conduit and the primary surface; and a deformable region between the compressible region and the conduit, wherein the compressible region and the deformable region are configured to accommodate local deformation of the member resulting from the pressure of the fluid.

A lithographic apparatus with a cover plate formed separately from a substrate table and means for stabilizing a temperature of the substrate table by controlling the temperature of the cover plate is disclosed. A lithographic apparatus with thermal insulation provided between a cover plate and a substrate table so that the cover plate acts as a thermal shield for the substrate table is disclosed. A lithographic apparatus comprising means to determine a substrate table distortion and improve position control of a substrate by reference to the substrate table distortion is disclosed.

A liquid immersion member is used in a liquid immersion exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate via liquid by exposure light, and forms a liquid immersion space above an object which is movable below the optical member. The liquid immersion member includes a first member that is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the optical member, and a second member that is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of an optical path of the exposure light, that includes a second upper surface which is opposite to the first lower surface of the first member via a gap, a second lower surface which is capable of being opposite to the object, and a fluid recovery part which is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the second lower surface, and that is relatively movable with respect to the first member.

A liquid immersion lithography apparatus includes a projection system including an optical member of which an incidence side has a convex lens shape, the projection system being configured to project an image through a liquid on a workpiece, and a liquid immersion member arranged below the optical member, the liquid immersion member having a plurality of openings through which the liquid is allowed to flow. A material of which the optical member is made is more resistant to the liquid than a material of which the liquid immersion member is made.

A lithographic system includes an immersion type lithographic apparatus, which includes a support constructed and arranged to support a substrate, a projection system constructed and arranged to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of the substrate, a liquid confinement structure configured to at least partially fill a space between the projection system and at least one of the substrate and support with an immersion liquid, a liquid supply system arranged to provide the immersion liquid to the liquid confinement structure, and a cleaning liquid supply system arranged to provide a cleaning liquid to a surface of the lithographic apparatus that comes into contact with the immersion liquid. The system includes a switch to provide the cleaning liquid directly to the liquid confinement structure and to provide the immersion liquid indirectly to the liquid confinement structure via a liquid purification system.

An object table to support an object, the object table having a support body, an object holder to hold an object, an opening adjacent an edge of the object holder, and a channel in fluid communication with the opening via a passageway, wherein the channel is defined by a first material which is different to a second material defining the passageway.