METHOD OF CONTROLLING A PATTERNING DEVICE IN A LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD AND LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

摘要

A system for controlling a patterning device in a lithographic apparatus using a patterning device having individually controllable elements that may only be set to two states. The method includes converting a representation of a pattern to be formed on the substrate into a plurality of area intensity signals, each corresponding to a radiation intensity level required to be set in a respective area of the patterning device in order to provide the desired pattern on the substrate and a separate step of converting each of the area intensity signals into control signals for a plurality of individually controllable elements that each correspond to the area of the patterning device.