| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immersion lithographic apparatus in which the generation of bubbles in immersion liquid is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The immersion lithographic projection apparatus has a liquid confinement structure configured to at least partly confine liquid to a space between a projection system and a substrate, the confinement structure has a buffer surface, and the buffer surface, when in use, is positioned in close proximity to a plane substantially comprising the upper surface of the substrate and of a substrate table holding the substrate to define a passage having a flow resistance. A recess is provided in the buffer surface, the recess, when in use, is normally full of the immersion liquid to achieve rapid filling of a gap between the substrate and substrate table as the gap moves under the buffer surface. The recess may be annular or radial and a plurality of recesses may be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT |
