摘要 |
This invention discloses a method to form a resist pattern on a to-be-processed substrate by immersion exposure. A resist film is formed on the central portion of the upper surface of the to-be-processed substrate, on a bevel portion of the upper surface, which is obtained by chamfering the peripheral portion of the to-be-processed substrate, and on the end portion of the to-be-processed substrate. Pattern exposure for forming the latent image of a desired pattern on the resist film is executed while a liquid whose refractive index is higher than that of air exists between the resist film and a constituent element of a projection optical system of an exposure apparatus, which is nearest to the to-be-processed substrate. The resist film formed on the end portion of the to-be-processed substrate is removed by supplying a rinse solution to the end portion of the to-be-processed substrate after executing pattern exposure. |