A lithography system and a cleaning method thereof are provided. The lithography system includes a light source generator. The light source generator includes a collector, a droplet generator and a droplet catcher. The droplet generator and the droplet catcher are facing each other, and disposed at a region surrounding the collector. The cleaning method includes: shifting the droplet generator out of the light source generator via a port of the light source generator; inserting a shove assembly into the light source generator via the port; using a borescope attached to the shovel assembly to identify a location of a deposit formed by droplets generated by the droplet generator; using the shovel assembly to remove and collect the deposit; and withdrawing the shovel assembly along with the borescope from the light source generator via the port.

An optical imaging arrangement includes an optical projection system, a support structure system and a control device. The optical projection system includes a group of optical elements supported by the support structure system and configured to transfer, in an exposure process using exposure light along an exposure light path, an image of a pattern of a mask onto a substrate. The group of optical elements includes a first optical element and a second optical element and the control device includes a sensor device and an active device. The sensor device is functionally associated to the first optical element and is configured to capture mechanical disturbance information representative of a mechanical disturbance acting on the first optical element in at least one degree of freedom up to all six degrees of freedom.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure apparatuses and methods, and methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device by using the exposure method, which minimize an error caused by a mirror in an EUV exposure process to improve an overlay error, are provided. The EUV exposure apparatus includes an EUV source configured to generate and output EUV, first illumination optics configured to transfer the EUV to an EUV mask, projection optics configured to project the EUV, reflected from the EUV mask, onto an exposure target, a laser source configured to generate and output a laser beam for heating, and second illumination optics configured to irradiate the laser beam onto at least one mirror included in the projection optics.

A component for a projection exposure apparatus includes a printed circuit board arranged in an encapsulated housing and having electronic component parts, and a heat conducting structure for dissipating heat from the electronic component parts to an outer side of the housing.

Embodiments described herein relate to a dynamically controlled lens used in lithography tools. Multiple regions of the dynamic lens can be used to transmit a radiation beam for lithography process. By allowing multiple regions to transmit the radiation beam, the dynamically controlled lens can have an extended life cycle compared to conventional fixed lens. The dynamically controlled lens can be replaced or exchanged at a lower frequency, thus, improving efficiency of the lithography tools and reducing production cost.

An apparatus for removing residues from a source vessel in an extreme ultraviolet lithography device, the apparatus including a frame portion, and a heater structure on the frame portion, the heater structure having a head on the frame portion, the head being rotatable in at least one shaft direction, and a heater on the head to dissipate heat toward residues in the source vessel, the heater to apply temperature of 200 C. to 800 C.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure apparatuses and methods, and methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device by using the exposure method, which minimize an error caused by a mirror in an EUV exposure process to improve an overlay error, are provided. The EUV exposure apparatus includes an EUV source configured to generate and output EUV, first illumination optics configured to transfer the EUV to an EUV mask, projection optics configured to project the EUV, reflected from the EUV mask, onto an exposure target, a laser source configured to generate and output a laser beam for heating, and second illumination optics configured to irradiate the laser beam onto at least one mirror included in the projection optics.

A projection exposure apparatus (400) for semiconductor lithography contains at least one partial volume (4) that is closed off from the surroundings. The partial volume (4) contains a gas, from which a plasma can be produced. Conditioning elements (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) for conditioning the plasma, in particular for neutralizing the plasma, are present in the partial volume. An associated method for operating a projection exposure apparatus is also disclosed.

A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.

Embodiments described herein relate to a dynamically controlled lens used in lithography tools. Multiple regions of the dynamic lens can be used to transmit a radiation beam for lithography process. By allowing multiple regions to transmit the radiation beam, the dynamically controlled lens can have an extended life cycle compared to conventional fixed lens. The dynamically controlled lens can be replaced or exchanged at a lower frequency, thus, improving efficiency of the lithography tools and reducing production cost.