JP2007193296A - Exposure device and exposure method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exposure device that can carry out step operations in a short time to improve the throughput while keeping safety. <P>SOLUTION: A control device of the exposure device controls a Z-axis feeding base 2A and a work stage feeding mechanism 2B so as to synchronize the vertical relative displacement of the Z-axis feeding base 2A and the horizontal relative displacement of the work stage feeding mechanism 2B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus and an exposure method suitable for proximity exposure transfer of a mask pattern of a mask onto a substrate of a large flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display by a divided sequential exposure method.

  Conventionally, various exposure apparatuses for producing color filters for flat panel display devices such as liquid crystal display devices and plasma display devices have been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The exposure apparatus described in Patent Document 1 uses a mask smaller than a substrate as an exposed material, holds the mask on a mask stage, holds the substrate on a work stage, and closes them to face each other. In this state, the substrate and the mask are moved relative to each other (generally, the substrate is moved), and the mask pattern drawn on the mask is applied to the substrate by irradiating the substrate with light for pattern exposure at each step. A display or the like is created by exposure and transfer to a plurality of locations above.

In the exposure apparatus as described above, for example, when the substrate is moved stepwise with respect to the mask, the substrate is usually lowered once or the mask is raised once, and then the step movement is performed, and then the substrate is moved. The gap is adjusted during exposure by raising or lowering the mask. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, when the exposure transfer at the predetermined position is completed (step S101), for example, the work stage of the feed mechanism is operated to lower the substrate in the vertical direction (Z-axis retracted) (step S102). . Next, the feed mechanism is moved stepwise in the horizontal direction (XY direction) so as to position the substrate at the next exposure position (step S103), and then the work stage until the gap with the mask reaches the required gap amount. Is raised in the vertical direction (Z-axis rise) (step S104). Then, gap adjustment and alignment adjustment are performed (step S105), and the next exposure transfer is performed.
JP-A-9-127702

  By the way, such an operation at the time of exposure transfer is an operation for lowering and raising the substrate in the vertical direction, although there is no possibility that the substrate comes into contact with the mask and damages the mask, and it becomes a highly safe apparatus. It took time and had a negligible effect on throughput.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an exposure apparatus and an exposure method capable of performing a step operation in a short time and improving throughput while ensuring safety. It is in.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations.
(1) A work stage that holds a substrate as an exposed material, a mask stage that is disposed opposite to the substrate and holds a mask, and an irradiation unit that irradiates the substrate with light for pattern exposure via the mask; A feed mechanism for moving one of the work stage and the mask stage relative to the other in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the mask pattern of the mask faces a plurality of predetermined positions on the substrate, and a control device for controlling the feed mechanism An exposure apparatus comprising:
The control apparatus controls the feed mechanism so that the feed mechanism synchronizes the relative movement in the horizontal direction and the relative movement in the vertical direction.
(2) The feed mechanism includes a motor for moving the work stage in the horizontal direction,
The control device controls the feed mechanism so as to start the relative movement in the vertical direction in which the mask and the substrate are close to each other based on the state signal of the motor during the relative movement in the horizontal direction (1). The exposure apparatus described in 1.
(3) The control device controls the feed mechanism so as to start the relative movement in the vertical direction in which the mask and the substrate are close to each other when the rotational speed of the motor is reduced to a predetermined speed or less during the relative movement in the horizontal direction. (2) The exposure apparatus according to (2).
(4) The control device synchronizes the horizontal relative movement and the vertical relative movement in which the mask and the substrate are close to each other up to a first gap larger than the exposure gap between the mask and the substrate at the time of exposure, and Any of (1) to (3), wherein the feed mechanism is controlled so as to perform only the vertical relative movement in which the mask and the substrate are further closer to each other from the first gap to the exposure gap. The exposure apparatus described.
(5) The control device performs only the vertical relative movement in which the mask and the substrate are separated from each other from the exposure gap between the mask and the substrate at the time of exposure to a second gap larger than the exposure gap, and the second After the gap is exceeded, the feed mechanism is controlled so as to synchronize the relative movement in the horizontal direction and the vertical movement in which the mask and the substrate are further separated from each other (1) to (4). An exposure apparatus according to any one of the above.
(6) An exposure method using the exposure apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the feed mechanism performs the horizontal relative movement and the vertical relative movement in synchronization. .

  According to the present invention, the control device controls the feed mechanism so that the feed mechanism synchronizes the relative movement in the horizontal direction and the relative movement in the vertical direction, so that the step operation can be performed in a short time while ensuring safety. It is possible to reduce the tact time of the exposure operation, thereby improving the throughput.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the exposure apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a display manufacturing apparatus including a division sequential proximity exposure apparatus PE that is an exposure apparatus of the present invention and a control device 80 (see FIG. 8) will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the division sequential proximity exposure apparatus PE includes a mask stage 1 that holds a mask M, a work stage 2 that holds a glass substrate (material to be exposed) W, and illumination as an irradiation means for pattern exposure. An optical system 3 and an apparatus base 4 that supports the mask stage 1 and the work stage 2 are provided.

  A glass substrate W (hereinafter simply referred to as “substrate W”) is arranged on the surface (opposite surface to the mask M) so as to expose and transfer the mask pattern P drawn on the mask M so as to be opposed to the mask M. A photosensitive agent is applied to make it translucent.

  For convenience of explanation, the illumination optical system 3 will be described. The illumination optical system 3 is, for example, a high-pressure mercury lamp 31 that is a light source for ultraviolet irradiation, and a concave mirror 32 that collects light emitted from the high-pressure mercury lamp 31. Two types of optical integrators 33 that are switchably arranged in the vicinity of the focal point of the concave mirror 32, plane mirrors 35 and 36, and a spherical mirror 37, and are arranged between the plane mirror 36 and the optical integrator 33 to change the irradiation optical path. An exposure control shutter 34 that controls opening and closing is provided.

  When the exposure control shutter 34 is controlled to be opened at the time of exposure, the light emitted from the high-pressure mercury lamp 31 is held on the mask M held on the mask stage 1 and then on the work stage 2 via the optical path L shown in FIG. Irradiated as parallel light for pattern exposure perpendicular to the surface of the substrate W. As a result, the mask pad P of the mask M is exposed and transferred onto the substrate W.

  Next, the mask stage 1 and the work stage 2 will be described in this order. First, the mask stage 1 is provided with a mask stage base 10, and the mask stage base 10 is disposed above the work stage 2 while being supported by a mask stage column 11 protruding from the apparatus base 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mask stage base 10 has a substantially rectangular shape and has an opening 10a at the center. A mask holding frame 12 is mounted on the opening 10a so as to be movable in the X and Y directions. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the mask holding frame 12 has a flange 12 a provided on the outer periphery of the upper end thereof placed on the upper surface in the vicinity of the opening 10 a of the mask stage base 10. It is inserted through a predetermined gap between the inner periphery. Thereby, the mask holding frame 12 can be moved in the X and Y directions by this gap.

  A chuck portion 16 is fixed to the lower surface of the mask holding frame 12 via a spacer 20 and can move in the X and Y directions with respect to the mask stage base 10 together with the mask holding frame 12. The chuck portion 16 is provided with a plurality of suction nozzles 16a for adsorbing a peripheral portion that is an end portion of the mask M on which the mask pattern P is drawn. As a result, the mask M is detachably held on the chuck portion 16 by a vacuum suction device (not shown) through the suction nozzle 16a.

  Further, in FIG. 2, the mask holding frame 12 is moved on the upper surface of the mask stage base 10 in the XY plane based on a detection result by an alignment camera 15 described later or a measurement result by a laser length measuring device 60 described later. A mask position adjusting mechanism 13 for adjusting the position and posture of the mask M held by the mask holding frame 12 is provided.

  The mask position adjusting mechanism 13 includes an X-axis direction driving device 13x attached to one side along the Y-axis direction of the mask holding frame 12, and two Y-axis attached to one side along the X-axis direction of the mask holding frame 12. And a direction driving device 13y.

  3A and 3B, the X-axis direction drive device 13x includes a driving actuator (for example, an electric actuator) 131 having a rod 131r that expands and contracts in the X-axis direction, and a mask holding frame 12. And a linear guide (linear motion bearing guide) 133 attached to a side portion along the Y-axis direction. The guide rail 133r of the linear guide 133 extends in the Y-axis direction and is fixed to the mask holding frame 12. The slider 133 s movably attached to the guide rail 133 r is connected to the tip of a rod 131 r fixed to the mask stage base 10 via a pin support mechanism 132.

  On the other hand, the Y-axis direction drive device 13y has the same configuration as the X-axis direction drive device 13x, and includes a drive actuator (for example, an electric actuator) 131 having a rod 131r that expands and contracts in the Y-axis direction, and the mask holding frame 12 And a linear guide (linear motion bearing guide) 133 attached to a side portion along the X-axis direction. The guide rail 133r of the linear guide 133 extends in the X-axis direction and is fixed to the mask holding frame 12. A slider 133s attached to the guide rail 133r so as to be movable is connected to the tip of the rod 131r via a pin support mechanism 132. The X-axis direction driving device 13x adjusts the mask holding frame 12 in the X-axis direction. The two Y-axis direction driving devices 13y adjust the mask holding frame 12 in the Y-axis direction and the θ-axis direction (oscillation around the Z-axis). ).

  Further, inside the two sides facing each other in the X-axis direction of the mask holding frame 12, as shown in FIG. 2, a gap sensor 14 as a means for measuring the gap between the opposing surfaces of the mask M and the substrate W, An alignment camera 15 is disposed as means for detecting the amount of plane deviation between the mask M and the alignment reference. Both the gap sensor 14 and the alignment camera 15 are movable in the X-axis direction via a moving mechanism 19.

  The moving mechanism 19 has a holding frame 191 for holding the gap sensor 14 and the alignment camera 15 extending in the Y-axis direction on the upper surfaces of the two sides facing each other in the X-axis direction of the mask holding frame 12. The end of the holding base 191 that is separated from the Y-axis direction drive device 13 y is supported by a linear guide 192. The linear guide 192 includes a guide rail 192r installed on the mask stage base 10 and extending along the X-axis direction, and a slider (not shown) that moves on the guide rail 192r, and is held by the slider. The end of the gantry 191 is fixed.

  Then, the gap sensor 14 and the alignment camera 15 are moved in the X-axis direction via the holding frame 191 by driving the slider by a driving actuator 193 including a motor and a ball screw.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the alignment camera 15 optically detects the mask side alignment mark 101 on the surface of the mask M held on the lower surface of the mask stage 1 from the back side of the mask, and the focus adjustment mechanism 151. As a result, the focus is adjusted by moving toward and away from the mask M.

  The focus adjustment mechanism 151 includes a linear guide 152, a ball screw 153, and a motor 154. The linear guide 152 includes a guide rail 152r and a slider 152s. Of these, the guide rail 152r is attached to the holding frame 191 of the moving mechanism 19 of the mask stage 1 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The alignment camera 15 is fixed to the slider 152s via a table 152t. A nut screwed to the screw shaft of the ball screw 153 is connected to the table 152t, and the screw shaft is rotated by a motor 154.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the work side alignment mark 100 is projected from below with a light source 781 and a condenser lens 782 below the work chuck 8 provided on the work stage 2. An optical system 78 is disposed integrally with the Z-axis fine movement stage 24 in accordance with the optical axis of the alignment camera 15. A through hole corresponding to the optical path of the projection optical system 78 is formed in the work stage 2 and the Y-axis feed base 52.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the best focus of the alignment image that detects the position of the mask M having the mask side alignment mark 101 (mask mark surface Mm) and prevents the alignment camera 15 from being out of focus. An adjustment mechanism 150 is provided. In addition to the alignment camera 15 and the focus adjustment mechanism 151, this best focus adjustment mechanism 150 uses the gap sensor 14 as a focus deviation detection means. That is, the measured value of the mask lower surface position measured by the gap sensor 14 is compared with the focus position preset by the control device 80 to obtain a difference, and the relative focus position change amount from the set focus position is calculated from the difference. The alignment camera 15 is moved by controlling the motor 154 of the focus adjustment mechanism 151 according to the calculated change amount, thereby adjusting the focus of the alignment camera 15.

  By using the best focus adjustment mechanism 150, it is possible to perform high-precision focus adjustment of the alignment image regardless of the plate thickness change of the mask M and the plate thickness variation. That is, when a plurality of types of masks M are exchanged and used, proper focus can always be obtained even if the thicknesses of the individual masks are different. Note that the focus adjustment mechanism 151, the projection optical system 78, the best focus adjustment mechanism 150, and the like not only correspond to the high accuracy of the alignment of the first layer divided pattern, but also the high accuracy of the alignment after the second layer. If the thickness of the mask M is known, the best focus adjustment mechanism 150 may be omitted and the focus adjustment mechanism may be moved according to the thickness.

  Note that masking apertures (shielding plates) 17 that shield both ends of the mask M as necessary are disposed at both ends in the Y-axis direction of the opening 10a of the mask stage base 10 so as to be positioned above the mask M. The masking aperture 17 can be moved in the Y-axis direction by a masking aperture driving device 18 including a motor, a ball screw, and a linear guide so that the shielding areas at both ends of the mask M can be adjusted.

  Next, the work stage 2 is installed on the apparatus base 4 and moved in the vertical direction to adjust the gap between the opposing surfaces of the mask M and the substrate W to a predetermined amount, A work stage feed mechanism 2B disposed on the Z-axis feed base 2A and horizontally moving the work stage 2 in the XY-axis direction is provided. That is, the Z-axis feed base 2A and the work stage feed mechanism 2B constitute a feed mechanism that moves one of the work stage 2 and the mask stage 1 relative to the other in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the Z-axis feed base 2A includes a Z-axis coarse movement stage 22 supported by a vertical coarse movement mechanism 21 erected on the apparatus base 4 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction. A Z-axis fine movement stage 24 supported by a vertical movement mechanism 23 (see FIG. 1) is provided on the coarse movement stage 22. The vertical coarse movement mechanism 21 uses an electric actuator composed of a motor 21a, a ball screw 21b, and the like. The Z axis coarse movement stage 22 is set in advance by performing vertical movement under the control of the controller 80. The position is raised and lowered to the position without measuring the gap between the mask M and the substrate W.

  On the other hand, the vertical fine movement mechanism 23 shown in FIG. 1 includes a movable wedge mechanism formed by combining a motor, a ball screw, and a wedge. In this embodiment, for example, a screw shaft 23b of a ball screw is driven to rotate by a motor 23a installed on the upper surface of the Z-axis coarse movement stage 22, and a ball screw nut 23c is formed in a wedge shape (hereinafter referred to as "wedge nut 23c"). The slope of the wedge-shaped nut 23c is engaged with the slope of a wedge 24a projecting from the lower surface of the Z-axis fine movement stage 24, thereby constituting a movable wedge mechanism.

  When the screw shaft 23b of the ball screw is driven to rotate, the wedge-shaped nut 23c is finely moved in the Y-axis direction, and this horizontal fine movement is converted into a highly accurate vertical fine movement by the action of the slopes of both the wedges 23c and 24a. The

  The vertical fine movement mechanism 23 composed of this movable wedge mechanism includes a total of three units, two on one end side (front side in FIG. 1) in the Y-axis direction of the Z-axis fine movement stage 24 and one on the other end side (not shown). It is installed and each is driven and controlled independently. Accordingly, the vertical fine movement mechanism 23 also has a tilt function. Based on the measurement results of the gaps between the mask M and the substrate W by the three gap sensors 14, the mask M and the substrate W are parallel and predetermined. The height of the Z-axis fine movement stage 24 is finely adjusted so as to face each other through the gap. Note that the vertical coarse movement mechanism 21 and the vertical fine movement mechanism 23 may be provided in the Y-axis feed base 52.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the work stage feed mechanism 2B is a kind of two sets of rolling guides that are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction and extended along the X-axis direction on the upper surface of the Z-axis fine movement stage 24. A linear guide 41, an X-axis feed base 42 attached to a slider 41a of the linear guide 41, and an X-axis feed drive mechanism 43 that moves the X-axis feed base 42 in the X-axis direction. The X-axis feed base 42 is connected to a ball screw nut 433 that is screwed onto a ball screw shaft 432 that is rotationally driven by a motor 431 of the shaft feed drive mechanism 43.

  Further, on the upper surface of the X-axis feed base 42, a linear guide 51 which is a kind of two sets of rolling guides that are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction and extend along the Y-axis direction, and the linear guide Y-axis feed base 52 attached to 51 slider 51a, and Y-axis feed drive mechanism 53 that moves Y-axis feed base 52 in the Y-axis direction, and is rotated by motor 531 of Y-axis feed drive mechanism 53. A Y-axis feed base 52 is connected to a ball screw nut (not shown) screwed to the ball screw shaft 532 to be driven. The work stage 2 is attached to the upper surface of the Y-axis feed base 52.

  Here, when the Z-axis feed base 2A and the work stage feed mechanism 2B of the present embodiment expose the pattern of each layer at a plurality of predetermined positions on the substrate, the retreat operation and the lift operation of the work stage 2 are synchronized with the step movement. Thus, it is configured to be controllable.

  A laser length measuring device 60 as a moving distance measuring unit that detects the X-axis and Y-axis positions of the work stage 2 is provided in the device base 4. In the work stage 2 configured as described above, due to errors such as the shape of the ball screw and the linear guide itself, and mounting errors thereof, when the work stage 2 is moved, positioning errors, yawing, straightness, etc. Occurrence is inevitable. Therefore, the laser length measuring device 60 is intended to measure these errors. As shown in FIG. 1, the laser length measuring device 60 includes a pair of Y-axis interferometers 62 and 63 provided facing a Y-axis direction end of the work stage 2 and a laser, and the X-axis of the work stage 2. One X-axis interferometer 64 provided at the end of the direction and provided with a laser, a Y-axis mirror 66 disposed at a position facing the Y-axis interferometers 62 and 63 of the work stage 2, and the X of the work stage 2 The X-axis mirror 68 is disposed at a position facing the axial interferometer 64.

  As described above, by providing two Y-axis interferometers 62 and 63 in the Y-axis direction, not only information on the position of the work stage 2 in the Y-axis direction but also a difference in position data between the Y-axis interferometers 62 and 63. You can also know yawing error. The position in the Y-axis direction can be calculated by appropriately correcting both the average value of the two in consideration of the position in the X-axis direction of the work stage 2 and the yawing error.

  Then, when the next divided pattern is connected and exposed following the exposure of the work stage 2 in the XY direction and the Y-axis feed base 52 and the previous divided pattern, each interference is performed at the stage of sending the substrate W to the next area. The detection signals output from the total 62 to 64 are input to the control device 80 as shown in FIG. The control device 80 controls the X-axis feed drive mechanism 43 and the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 53 in order to adjust the amount of movement in the XY direction for the divided exposure based on this detection signal, and at the same time, the X-axis interferometer 64. Based on the detection results obtained by Y and the detection results obtained by the Y-axis interferometers 62 and 63, a positioning correction amount for joint exposure is calculated, and the calculated results are used as the mask position adjustment mechanism 13 (and the vertical fine movement mechanism 23 if necessary). Output to. As a result, the mask position adjusting mechanism 13 and the like are driven according to the correction amount, and the influence of positioning error, straightness error, yawing, and the like caused by the X-axis feed drive mechanism 43 or the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 53 is eliminated.

  Even when there is no error in feeding the work stage 2, if the orientation of the mask pattern P of the mask M is deviated from the feed direction of the work stage 2 in the initial state, the divided sequential exposure is performed on the substrate W. Each pattern to be formed is formed in an inclined state, or the joints of the patterns formed separately on the substrate W by connection exposure are shifted and not aligned.

  Further, as described above, the mask M is sucked and held by the chuck portion 16 via the vacuum suction device. When this suction is held, the orientation of the mask pattern P of the mask M and the work stage by the work stage feed mechanism 2B are used. It is difficult to accurately match the two moving directions.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when exposure is performed in a tilted state at the first position, the exposure pattern at the next position is similarly tilted as indicated by a two-dot chain line even when there is no feed error. It is formed in the state.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, a cross shape (reticle) is formed in at least two places on the upper surface of the work stage 2 (actually, the work chuck 8 installed on the work stage 2). The workpiece-side alignment marks 100 are formed apart from each other in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, on the mask M, a mask measurement alignment mark 101 corresponding to the workpiece side alignment mark 100 is formed. The line connecting the centers of the two alignment marks 100 on the reference side is adjusted in advance so as to coincide with the X-axis direction in the initial state (reference position) and to be orthogonal to the Y-axis direction.

  In the initial state (reference position), the alignment camera 15 detects the amount of misalignment between the alignment marks 100 and 101, and the position of the mask holding frame 12 by the X-axis direction driving device 13x and the Y-axis direction driving device 13y. Is adjusted so that the centers of the workpiece-side alignment mark 100 and the mask-side alignment mark 101 substantially coincide with each other in the XY plane.

  Further, the alignment between the workpiece side alignment mark 100 and the mask side alignment mark 101 is configured so as to be easily and accurately performed by the alignment camera 15 which is an alignment mark detection means.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 80 of the present embodiment controls the opening of the exposure control shutter 34, the drive control of the work stage 2 (Z-axis feed base 2A and work stage feed mechanism 2B), and the laser interferometer 62. In addition to the calculation of the correction amount based on the detected values of ~ 64 and the drive control of the mask position adjustment mechanism 13, the calculation of the correction amount at the time of alignment adjustment, the drive control of the automatic workpiece feeder (not shown), etc. Most actuators incorporated in the proximity exposure apparatus and predetermined arithmetic processing are executed based on sequence control using a microcomputer, a sequencer or the like.

  In particular, the control device 80 performs a step operation of moving to a predetermined position to be exposed next when the pattern of each layer is exposed at a plurality of predetermined positions on the substrate, which is a feature of the present invention. The Z-axis feed base 2A and the work stage feed mechanism 2B can be controlled synchronously so as to be performed simultaneously with the direction retracting operation and the next raising operation to the exposure gap. Therefore, the control device 80 includes a microcomputer, a sequencer, and the like, and drives the Z-axis feed base 2A and the work stage feed mechanism 2B in synchronization by a control method stored in a memory such as a RAM or a ROM.

  Next, an exposure process using the divided sequential proximity exposure apparatus PE of this embodiment will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, as the substrate W, a large substrate W having a side of 1 m shown in FIG. 9 and a 12-chamfered display material DP (X direction 4 × Y direction 3) is used.

  Moreover, in the division | segmentation sequential exposure process of this embodiment, the process of creating the RGB color filter for large sized liquid crystal displays includes the process of exposing a predetermined pattern on the board | substrate W used as material. The pattern is formed by first forming a black matrix for partitioning each pixel, and then forming individual patterns of the three primary colors R (red), G (edge), and B (blue) for each color in the same manner as the pattern formation of the black matrix. It is formed while repeating the process. Therefore, the first layer, that is, the exposure process of the black matrix pattern will be described in detail.

  In the step exposure of the black matrix pattern, the mask M of FIG. 10 is used, and the glass substrate W on which the display material DP is chamfered 12 is set in the X direction step number Nx = 2 and the Y direction step number Ny = 3. On the glass substrate W of the color filter for a large liquid crystal display, a first black matrix pattern is formed by divided sequential proximity exposure. Further, in this example, the first exposure is performed at the initial positioning position (origin position), and thereafter, step feed and exposure are repeated.

(1) Setting In the present embodiment, first, the mask M is held on the chuck portion 16 of the mask stage 2. The mask M has a lower surface on which the mask pattern P is drawn. The work stage 2 is positioned in the vicinity of the forward limit in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and is lowered to the lowest limit in the Z-axis direction.

  In this state, when the control device 80 is turned on, the current position of the work stage 2 is read from the laser length measuring device 60, and the work stage 2 is set to a preset control origin position based on the read current position. The X-axis feed drive mechanism 43 and the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 53 are driven and controlled to perform initial positioning of the work stage 2.

(2) Alignment adjustment Thereafter, the vertical movement mechanism 21 and the vertical movement mechanism 23 of the Z-axis feed base 2A constituting the gap adjustment means are driven so that the work stage 2 and the mask M are opposed to each other through a predetermined gap. The mask position adjustment mechanism 13 adjusts the direction of the mask M so that there is no inclination with respect to the Y-axis direction.

  That is, when a displacement is detected between the workpiece side alignment mark 100 and the mask side alignment mark 101 by the alignment camera 15 (for example, FIG. 11A), the detected signal is sent to the control device 80 of the mask position adjusting mechanism 13. Output. Then, by controlling the driving of the X-direction driving device 13x and the two Y-direction driving devices 13y by the control device 80, the posture of the mask holding frame 12 is corrected and both marks 100, 101 are shown in FIG. Align as shown. Thus, the inclination θ between the mask M and the Y-axis direction (in the figure, the long-side direction and Y-axis direction of the substrate W, the short-side direction of the mask M, and the short-side direction of the mask pattern P are parallel to each other). Is resolved).

(3) Loading of the substrate W and first exposure After the alignment is completed, the work stage 2 is once lowered to a position where the substrate W can be received from the transport mechanism by the Z-axis feed base 2A of the gap adjusting means. In this state, the substrate W pre-aligned by the transport mechanism from a pre-alignment unit (not shown) is placed on the work stage, and the substrate W is vacuum-sucked by the work chuck. Thereafter, the gap adjustment means adjusts the gap between the lower surface of the mask M and the upper surface of the workpiece W again to a predetermined value necessary for exposure.

  Note that when the work stage 2 is moved up and down by the Z-axis feed base 2A of the gap adjusting means, the work stage 2 may slightly move even in the XY plane. For such a case, the position data obtained by the laser interferometers 62, 63 and 64 after completion of the alignment in (2) above is stored in the memory of the control device 80, and the position data after the gap adjustment. Can be restored to a state in which there is no inclination between the orientation of the mask M and the Y-axis direction by correcting the change by the mask position adjusting mechanism 13.

  Next, the exposure control shutter 34 of the illumination optical system 3 is controlled to be opened to perform the first exposure, the mask pattern P of the mask M is printed at a predetermined position on the substrate W, and the first division is performed on the substrate W. A pattern P1 is obtained.

(4) Movement of the work stage 2 to the exposure position of the second step Subsequently, the control device 80 operates the Z-axis feed base 2A and the work stage feed mechanism 2B to perform joint exposure of the second divided pattern P2. Control. As shown in FIG. 12, when the exposure transfer process of the first step is completed (step S11), the control device 80 causes the motor 21a of the vertical coarse movement mechanism 23 and the motor of the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 53 of the work stage feed mechanism 2B. The exposure apparatus PE starts the retracting operation of the work stage 2 in the Z-axis direction and the step operation of the work stage 2 almost simultaneously from the predetermined position X1 exposed at the first step (step S12). . Thereafter, when the mask M and the workpiece W are separated from each other by a predetermined gap where the contact is reliably avoided, the horizontal movement of only the step operation is performed (step S13), and the workpiece stage 2 is exposed for the second step. When approaching the predetermined position X2 to be performed, the raising operation of the work stage 2 and the step operation of the work stage 2 are started at the same time, and these operations are ended almost simultaneously at the predetermined position X2 (step S14). Note that the ascending operation of the work stage 2 may be started by detecting the rotational speed of the motor 531 of the work stage feed mechanism 2B, as in the second embodiment described later.

  In this way, the work stage 2 moves from the exposure position X1 of the first step to the exposure position X2 of the second step following a trajectory T as shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the mask stage 1. Thereafter, the alignment adjustment shown in (5) is performed (step S15).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, in order to more reliably avoid contact between the mask M and the workpiece W during the step operation, the retracting operation in the Z-axis direction may be operated slightly earlier than the step operation. It is also preferable to end the step operation slightly earlier than the ascending operation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the step of performing only the step operation is included between the retraction operation in the Z-axis direction and the synchronous control of the step operation, and the synchronous control of the ascending operation and the step operation. The trajectory T may be further shortened to shorten the operation time, with the end of the synchronous control of the retreat operation and the step operation and the start of the ascending operation and the synchronous control of the step operation almost simultaneously.

  Further, the synchronous control of the retracting operation and the step operation in the Z-axis direction is gradually increased from the start time to the end time, and the synchronous control of the ascending operation and the step operation is also gradually performed from the start time to the end time. You may make it decelerate and, thereby, the operation time in step operation | movement can be shortened. Further, these synchronous controls may draw a linear locus as shown in FIG. 13, or may draw a curved locus.

(5) Alignment adjustment by work stage 2 feed error As described above, when the work stage 2 is sent to the mask M by one step amount in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. Since a feeding error occurs, if the second step exposure is performed as it is, there is a possibility that the second divided pattern P2 is slightly displaced. For example, during step feed of the work stage 2, due to an error in the yawing of the work stage 2 and the straightness in the X-axis direction, the straight position Δx and the inclination angle θ ′ are shifted from the normal position as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, before the second divided pattern P2 is exposed and transferred onto the glass substrate W, the detection result of the position of the work stage 2 after the completion of the step feed obtained by the interferometers 62, 63 and 64 is obtained as a continuous exposure position. Is output to a correction control means for correcting. Then, the correction control means calculates a positioning correction amount for joint exposure based on the detection result, and the mask position adjustment mechanism 13 (and pitching correction at the time of feeding, etc., as necessary) based on the calculation result. In order to perform the gap adjustment, the X axis direction driving device 13x and the Y axis direction driving device 13y of the vertical fine movement mechanism 23) are controlled to adjust the position of the mask holding frame 12, and to perform alignment adjustment to correct the positional deviation of the mask M. Do. The yawing, that is, the inclination angle θ ′ is calculated by an arithmetic unit included in the control device 80 based on a difference between detection results obtained by the two Y-axis interferometers 62 and 63. Δx is obtained based on the detection result by the X-axis interferometer 64. As for the Y-axis direction position, an amount to be corrected as required is calculated in consideration of yawing and the current position in the X-axis direction.

(6) Second Step Exposure Thereafter, the exposure control shutter 34 of the illumination optical system 3 is controlled to be opened to perform the second step exposure, and the mask pattern P of the mask M is baked onto a predetermined position of the substrate W, and the substrate A second divided pattern P2 with a corrected positional deviation on W is obtained (see FIG. 11D).

(7) Exposure after the third step Similarly to the above (4) to (6), the work stage 2 is moved to the exposure position at each step, and alignment adjustment and each The exposure of the step is performed, and the divided patterns P3 to P6 whose positional deviation is corrected are obtained on the substrate W. When the exposure of the sixth step is completed, the work stage 2 is returned to the control origin position, the vacuum chucking state is released by the work chuck 8, and then the glass substrate W is carried out to the outside by a transfer device (not shown). For the exposure of W, the processes (2) to (7) are performed.

  When the work stage 2 is moved to the exposure position of the fourth step, the work stage 2 moves in the X direction with respect to the mask stage 1, so that the control device 80 is connected to the motor 21 a of the vertical coarse movement mechanism 23. The motor 431 of the X-axis feed drive mechanism 43 of the work stage feed mechanism 2B is driven in synchronization, and the step operation of the work stage 2 is performed simultaneously with the retreat operation of the work stage 2 in the Z-axis direction and the lift operation of the work stage 2. .

  Therefore, according to the divided sequential proximity exposure apparatus PE of the present embodiment, the control device 80 synchronizes the vertical relative movement of the Z-axis feed base 2A and the horizontal relative movement of the work stage feed mechanism 2B. Since the Z-axis feed base 2A and the work stage feed mechanism 2B are controlled, the step operation can be performed in a short time while ensuring safety, and the tact time of the exposure operation can be shortened, thereby improving the throughput. can do.

  In this embodiment, since the relative movement by the feed mechanism is performed, the work stage 2 side on which the substrate is mounted is moved. On the contrary, the mask side is moved and the mask is moved in the vertical direction. You may control so that operation | movement and horizontal step operation | movement may be performed substantially synchronizing. Furthermore, a feed mechanism in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction may be provided on the work stage side, and a feed mechanism in the other direction may be provided on the mask side, and these feed mechanisms may be controlled simultaneously.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a divided sequential proximity exposure apparatus PE ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the part which attached | subjected the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment, it is the same structure and description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically showing the overall configuration of an exposure apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a front view of the main part of the exposure apparatus, and FIG. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the exposure apparatus PE ′ includes a mask stage 210, a first work stage 211, a second work stage 212, an irradiation optical system 213, a pre-alignment unit 214, a first work loader 215, and a second work load. A work loader 216, a mask loader 217, and a mask aligner 218 are provided, and each is placed on a base 221.

  The mask stage 210 is supported by a plurality of support columns 222 provided on a rectangular stage base 223 disposed on the base 221, and a Z-axis coarse movement mechanism provided between the stage base 223 and the support columns 222. 224 is arranged so as to be movable up and down. The plurality of columns 222 form a space above the stage base 223 so that the first and second work stages 211 and 212 can move in the Y direction (left and right direction in FIG. 14) and advance below the mask stage 210. is doing.

  The mask stage 210 has a rectangular opening 225a in the center, and is supported by the mask position adjusting mechanism 13 similar to the first embodiment so that the position of the mask stage 210 can be adjusted in the X, Y, and θ directions. A holding unit 225 is provided. A plurality of suction holes 225b are formed on the lower surface of the mask holding part 225, and the mask M having a pattern to be exposed faces the opening 225a and is brought into the mask holding part 225 via the suction holes 225b by vacuum suction. Retained. The mask stage 210 includes a mask alignment camera 226 (see FIG. 18) for detecting the position of the mask M with respect to the mask holding unit 225 and a gap sensor 227 (see FIG. 18) for detecting a gap between the mask M and the substrate W. 18).

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the first and second work stages 211 and 212 have substrate holding portions 231 a and 231 b on the upper side for holding a substrate W as a material to be exposed, respectively. A work stage including a Y-axis table 233, a Y-axis feed mechanism 234, an X-axis table 235, an X-axis feed mechanism 236, and a Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 below the first and second work stages 211 and 212. Feed mechanisms 232 and 232 are provided, respectively. Each work stage feed mechanism 232, 232 feeds and drives the first and second work stages 211, 212 in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the stage base 223, and finely reduces the gap between the mask M and the substrate W. The first and second work stages 211 and 212 are finely moved and tilted in the Z-axis direction so as to be adjusted.

  Specifically, the Y-axis feed mechanism 234 includes a linear guide 238 and a Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 between the stage base 223 and the Y-axis table 233. On the stage base 223, two guide rails 240 are arranged in parallel along the Y-axis direction, and a slider 241 attached to the back surface of the Y-axis table 233 straddles via a rolling element (not shown). It is built. Thus, the two Y-axis stages 233 and 233 are supported so as to be movable along the Y-axis direction along the two guide rails 240.

  Further, on the stage base 223, ball screw shafts 243 that are rotationally driven by a motor 242 are provided corresponding to the first and second work stages 211 and 212, respectively. A ball screw nut 244 attached to the back surface of the shaft table 233 is screwed together.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the X-axis feed mechanism 236 is also provided with a linear guide 245 and an X-axis feed drive mechanism 246 between the Y-axis table 233 and the X-axis table 235. Two guide rails 247 are arranged in parallel along the X-axis direction on the Y-axis table 233, and a slider 248 attached to the back surface of the X-axis table 235 is provided via a rolling element (not shown). It is straddled. Furthermore, a ball screw shaft 250 that is rotationally driven by a motor 249 is provided on the Y-axis table 233, and a ball screw nut 251 attached to the back surface of the Y-axis table 235 is screwed onto the ball screw shaft 250. Are combined.

  On the other hand, the Z-tilt adjusting mechanism 237 includes a movable wedge mechanism that is a combination of a motor, a ball screw, and a wedge. The motor 252 installed on the upper surface of the X-axis table 235 drives the ball screw shaft 253 to rotate. The ball screw nut 254 is assembled to a wedge-shaped moving body, and the slope of the wedge is engaged with the slope of the wedge 255 protruding from the lower surfaces of the work stages 211 and 212.

  When the ball screw shaft 253 is driven to rotate, the ball screw nut 254 is finely moved horizontally in the X-axis direction, and the wedge-shaped moving body in which the horizontal fine movement is assembled makes it possible to perform highly accurate vertical fine movement. Converted. Two of these movable wedge mechanisms are installed on one end side in the X-axis direction and one on the other end side (not shown) in total, and each is driven and controlled independently.

Thereby, the Y-axis feed mechanism 234 is to place the substrates W held by the substrate holders 231a and 231b of the respective work stages 211 and 212 individually at the exposure position EP arranged at the lower position of the mask stage 210. The first work stage 211 is moved in the Y-axis direction along the guide rail 240 between the first standby position (loading position) WP1 and the exposure position EP, and the second work stage 212 is moved between the second standby position WP2 and the exposure position EP. Is moved along the guide rail 240 in the Y-axis direction. The X-axis feed mechanism 236 and the Y-axis feed mechanism 234 also move the first and second work stages 211 so that the substrate holding portions 231a and 231b at the exposure position EP are stepped in the X and Y directions with respect to the mask M. , 212 are moved.
The Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239, the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246, and the movable wedge mechanism are a combination of a motor and a ball screw device, but may be configured by a linear motor having a stator and a mover.

  14 to 16, bar mirrors 261 and 262 are attached to the first and second work stages 211 and 212, respectively, on the X-direction side and the Y-direction side of each substrate holding portion 231a and 231b. In addition, three laser interferometers 263, 264, and 265 are provided on both sides of the stage base 223 in the Y-axis direction and one side of the stage base 223 in the X-axis direction. As a result, the laser light is applied to the bar mirrors 261 and 262 from the laser interferometers 263, 264 and 265, the laser light reflected by the bar mirrors 261 and 262 is received, and the laser light and the laser reflected by the bar mirrors 261 and 262 are received. The position of the first and second stages 211 and 212 is detected by measuring interference with light.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the illumination optical system 213 is disposed above the opening 225a of the mask holding unit 225, and similarly to the first embodiment, for example, a high-pressure mercury lamp 31, a concave mirror 32, and an optical integrator 33 that are light sources for ultraviolet irradiation. , Flat mirrors 35 and 36, a spherical mirror 37, and a shutter 34 for exposure control. The illumination optical system 213 irradiates the substrate W held by the substrate holders 231a and 231b of the first and second work stages 211 and 212 moved to the exposure position via the mask M. As a result, the mask pattern P of the mask M is exposed and transferred onto the substrate W.

  The pre-alignment unit 214 has a mask M before the substrate W transported from the substrate cassettes 270A and 270B installed outside the base 221 is supplied to the first work stage 211 or the second work stage 212. Pre-alignment is performed so that the position of the substrate W with respect to the substrate is a predetermined position, and the substrate W is disposed in front of the mask stage 210 in the drawing. The pre-alignment unit 214 includes an X-axis feed mechanism, a Y-axis feed mechanism, and a rotation mechanism (not shown), and adjusts the position of the substrate W placed on the pre-alignment unit 214 to a predetermined position.

  The first work loader 215 is disposed on the right side of the pre-alignment unit 214 in FIG. 14, holds the substrate W supplied to the second work stage 212, transports it to the pre-alignment unit 214, and is a pre-aligned substrate. W is transferred from the pre-alignment unit 214 to the first work stage 211, and the substrate W after exposure and transfer on the first work stage 211 located at the first standby position WP1 is transferred to the substrate cassette 270A.

  The second work loader 216 is disposed opposite to the first work loader 215 with respect to the pre-alignment unit 214, that is, disposed on the left side of the pre-alignment unit 214 in the drawing, and holds the substrate W supplied to the first work stage 211. The pre-aligned substrate W is transported from the pre-alignment unit 214 to the second work stage 212, and further exposed on the second work stage 212 located at the second standby position WP2. The transferred substrate W is transported to the substrate cassette 270B.

  Further, the mask loader 217 and the mask aligner 218 are disposed opposite to the first work loader 215 with respect to the first work stage 211. As shown in FIG. 17, the mask loader 217 is a loader robot in which a plurality of transfer units 282 and 283 are swingably disposed on a column 281 fixed to the base 221. The plurality of transport units 282 and 283 are moved up and down along the column 281 by an elevating mechanism (not shown), and each is provided with a servo motor and driven independently of each other. Each transport unit 282, 283 has first and second arms 284, 285, and a mask mounting table 287 in which a plurality of rod-like members 286 are implanted in parallel at the tip of the first arm 284. Then, by controlling and operating each servo motor, the mask mounting table 287 is moved up, down, rotated, and moved, and the mask M on the mask mounting table 287 is conveyed. Thereby, the mask loader 217 carries the mask M from the mask cassette 291 provided outside the base 221 and carries the mask M pre-aligned by the mask aligner 218 to the first work stage 211. The mask M is supplied to the mask stage 210 by the first work stage 211.

  The mask loader 217 may have a single transport unit. However, if the mask loader 217 has a plurality of transport units 282 and 283, the mask M before exposure transfer is used as one mask of the transport units 282 and 283. The mask M after exposure transfer can be removed by the other mask mounting table 287 while being held on the mounting table 287, and the mask before exposure transfer held on one mask mounting table 287 can be mounted immediately after removal. .

  As shown in FIG. 18, the control device 270 includes an input interface circuit 270a having an A / D conversion function for reading detection signals from the alignment camera 226, gap sensor 227, and laser interferometers 263, 264, and 265 as detection values. And the arithmetic processing unit 270b, the storage device 270c such as ROM and RAM, and the control signals obtained by the arithmetic processing unit 270b, the mask position adjusting mechanism 13, the Y-axis feed driving mechanism 239, the X-axis feed driving mechanism 246, An output interface circuit 270d for outputting to each drive circuit of the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237, the Z-axis coarse movement mechanism 224, and the exposure control shutter 34, and a timer 272 are provided.

  Then, the control device 270 performs shutter opening control of the irradiation optical system 213, feed control of the X-axis and Y-axis feed drive mechanisms 239 and 246, calculation of step feed error amount, calculation of correction amount during alignment adjustment, and gap adjustment. The drive control of the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237, the drive of most of the actuators incorporated in the apparatus, and the predetermined arithmetic processing are executed based on the sequence control using a microcomputer, a sequencer or the like.

  Next, as for the exposure process using the divided sequential proximity exposure apparatus PE ′ of this embodiment, the details of the black matrix pattern formation process when creating an RGB color filter for a large liquid crystal display, as in the first embodiment. Explained.

(1) Setting In this embodiment, first, the mask M is mounted on the mask holding unit 225 of the mask stage 210. The mask loader 217 places the mask M supplied from the mask cassette 291 and adjusted to a predetermined position by the mask aligner 218 on the mask placing table 287. The mask loader 217 moves below the mask holding unit 225 in a state where the mask M is placed. Then, the mask M is sucked to the mask holding part 225 by sucking the peripheral edge of the mask M from the suction hole 225 b of the mask holding part 225 by vacuum suction. The mask M placed on the mask loader 217 may be directly conveyed to the mask holding frame 225, or moved to the first work loader 211 and conveyed to the mask M by the first work loader 211. May be.

(2) Alignment Adjustment Subsequently, as in the first embodiment, the first and second work stages 211 and 212 are sequentially moved from the first and second standby positions WP1 and WP2 to the exposure position EP, respectively. Then, after initial positioning of the first and second work stages 211 and 212, alignment adjustment of the mask M with respect to the first and second work stages 211 and 212 is performed.

(3) Substrate W loading and first-step exposure After the alignment of the mask M is completed, the substrate W pre-aligned by the pre-alignment unit 214 is first and second standby by the first and second work loaders 215 and 216. These are alternately supplied to the first and second work stages 211 and 212 located at the positions WP1 and WP2. For example, when the substrate W held on the first work stage 211 is first exposed, the first work stage 211 is exposed to the exposure position by the Y-axis feed mechanism 234 while the substrate W is sucked by the substrate holding unit 231a. Move to EP.

  Here, the first work stage 211 located at the exposure position EP moves the substrate W to the target plane position of the first step at the exposure position EP by the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 and the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246. In synchronization with the movement in the horizontal direction, the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 is driven to move in the vertical direction (up operation) to bring the mask M and the substrate W close to each other.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the control device 270 controls the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 and the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246 so that the substrate W moves to the target plane position of the first step (step S20). ). The horizontal movement of the substrate W by the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 and the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246 is caused by state signals (rotational speed and position deviation) of the motors 242 and 249 of the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 and the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246. Be monitored. FIG. 20 shows the state of the rotational speed of the motor 242 or the motor 249.

  When the substrate W moves near the target plane position, the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 and the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246 perform a deceleration operation so that the substrate W stops at the target plane position.

  When the deceleration operation of the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 and the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246 is performed, the control device 270 is based on the status signals of the motors 242 and 249 of the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 and the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246. , The ascending operation of the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 is started. In particular, in this embodiment, the rotational speeds of the motors 242 and 249 are read by an encoder (step S22), and when both rotational speeds are equal to or lower than a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 200 mm / s), the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism The ascending operation by 237 is started (step S24).

  Since the amount of movement can be calculated by detecting the rotational speeds of the motors 242, 249, the current value is compared with the target value using the application software, and the position (target value + α) is reached. At this time, the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 may be operated. In addition, when the step movement to the target plane position is performed by driving one of the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 and the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246, the rotational speed of either motor becomes a predetermined rotational speed or less. Sometimes, the ascending operation of the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 is started. The control device 270 controls the rotation speed of the motor 252 of the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 to raise the substrate W to a first gap (for example, 400 μm) larger than the exposure gap between the mask M and the substrate W at the time of exposure. .

  In this way, by driving the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239, the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246, and the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 in synchronization, the step operation to the target plane position of the substrate W is completed, and The ascent operation to the first gap is completed (step S26).

  After that, the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 is driven so that the mask M and the substrate W are closer to each other, and the gap between the mask M and the substrate W is monitored by the gap sensor 227. The substrate W is raised and the drive of the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 is stopped until the gap reaches the exposure gap (for example, 100 μm) from the first gap (step S28).

  Thereafter, the exposure control shutter 34 of the illumination optical system 213 is controlled to be opened to perform the first step exposure, the mask pattern P of the mask M is baked at a predetermined position on the substrate W, and the first step exposure is performed on the substrate W. Get a pattern.

(4) Moving the work stage to the exposure position of the second step Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 21, when the exposure transfer process of the first step is completed, the control device 270 performs the exposure process of the second step. The Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 is driven and controlled to retract the substrate W and control the number of rotations of the motor 252, while the second gap (for example, larger than the exposure gap) from the exposure gap (substrate position A1). The substrate W is lowered to (400 μm) (substrate position A2). When the substrate W is lowered to a position exceeding the second gap, the control device 270 controls the Y-axis feed mechanism 234 or the X-axis feed mechanism 236 to drive the substrate W while stepping the substrate W. Synchronize with the retracting operation in which the substrate is further separated from each other.

  Thereafter, the retracting operation is stopped at the time when the mask M and the workpiece W are separated to a gap where the contact with the workpiece W is surely avoided, and the horizontal movement of only the step operation is performed (substrate position A3).

  When the first work stage 211 moves to the vicinity of the target plane position of the second step, the Y-axis feed mechanism 234 or the X-axis feed mechanism 236 performs a deceleration operation, similarly to the movement at the first step. Thereafter, similarly to steps S20 to S28 in the first step, the Y-axis feed mechanism 234 or the X-axis feed mechanism 236 and the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 are driven synchronously, so that the substrate W has the target plane position and the second step. It moves to a position where the gap between the mask M and the substrate W becomes the first gap (400 μm) (substrate position A4), and then the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 is driven to raise the substrate W to a position that becomes the exposure gap. (Substrate position A5). Thereafter, alignment adjustment between the mask M and the substrate W is performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the substrate W can move along the trajectory T with respect to the conventional trajectory T ′, thereby shortening the operation time.

  The synchronous control by the step operation and the ascending or retracting operation can be appropriately changed as described in the first embodiment. For example, when the mask M and the substrate W are relatively moved in the horizontal direction at the position of the exposure gap. However, when it is confirmed in advance that no interference occurs, the step operation and the ascending operation may be synchronized up to the exposure gap, or the step operation and the retracting operation may be synchronized from the exposure gap.

(5) Alignment adjustment based on feed error of work stage 2, (6) Second step exposure Also in this embodiment, laser interferometer 263 determines whether or not a feed error has occurred during step operation and ascending or retracting operation. , 264, 265, and when a feed error occurs, the positional deviation of the mask M is corrected using the X-axis direction driving device 213x, the Y-axis direction driving device 213y, and the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237. After the correction in this way, the exposure control shutter 34 of the illumination optical system 213 is opened and the second step exposure is performed.

(7) Exposure after the third step Similarly to the above (4) to (6), the work stage 2 is moved to the exposure position at each step, and alignment adjustment and each Step exposure is performed.

  Then, during the exposure process of the substrate W placed on the first work stage 211, the second work stage 212 is carrying out the work of unloading the already exposed substrate W or loading the pre-aligned substrate W, The first work stage 211 holding the substrate W after exposure is carried out from the exposure position EP to the first standby position WP1, and at the same time, the second work stage 212 holding the substrate W to be exposed next is carried into the exposure position EP. . Thereafter, the processes (2) to (7) are performed on the new substrate W for exposure, and the exposure processes by the first and second work stages 211 and 212 are alternately performed.

  When aligning the mask M and the substrate W after gap adjustment, instead of using the bar mirrors 261 and 262 and the laser interferometers 263, 264 and 265, when exposing the R, G and B patterns, You may perform using the alignment camera which images the alignment mark of a mask, and the alignment mark of the board | substrate W. FIG. In this case, even during the exposure transfer of the first shot, the alignment may be performed using the alignment camera after the gap adjustment.

  In addition, the exposure process relates to the second and subsequent substrates W that are respectively conveyed by the first and second work stages 211 and 212. In the exposure apparatus PE ′, an error may occur in the gap between the mask M and the substrate W at each step position due to the chucking force of the substrate holding portions 231a and 231b, the posture of the work stage feeding mechanism 232 at each step position, and the like. There is. Therefore, when exposing the first substrate W transported from the first and second work stages 211 and 212, as shown by the locus T ′ in FIG. 21, the Y-axis feed drive mechanism 239 or The step operation by the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246 and the retracting operation or ascending operation of the Z-tilt drive mechanism 237 are performed separately. Then, based on the position data obtained by the gap sensor 227 and the laser interferometers 263, 264, and 265 when the first substrate W is step-exposed, the second and subsequent Y-axis feed drive mechanisms 239 or The step operation by the X-axis feed drive mechanism 246 and the retracting operation or ascending operation of the Z-tilt drive mechanism 237 are performed in synchronization.

  Therefore, according to the divided successive proximity exposure apparatus PE ′ of this embodiment, the control device 270 moves the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 in the vertical direction and moves the X-axis and Y-axis feed drive mechanisms 239 and 246 in the horizontal direction. Since the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 and the X-axis and Y-axis feed drive mechanisms 239 and 246 are controlled so as to synchronize with each other, a step operation in a short time is performed while ensuring safety, and the tact time of the exposure operation Can be shortened, whereby throughput can be improved.

  In particular, as shown by X in FIG. 20, in the control of the X-axis and Y-axis feed drive mechanisms 239 and 246 that perform the step operation, an overshoot that reaches the target value after exceeding the target value once occurs. In this case, the ascending or retracting operation by the Z-tilt adjusting mechanism 237 can be synchronized even during this operation time, and the time required for the step operation and the ascending or retracting operation can be shortened, and the tact time of the exposure operation can be reduced. Can be shortened.

  Further, the control device 270, when moving the substrate W in the horizontal direction, based on the status signals of the motors 242, 249, particularly in the present embodiment, when the rotational speed of the motors 242, 249 is reduced to a predetermined speed or less, Since the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237 is controlled so as to start the ascending operation of the substrate W, the start timing of the ascending operation can be stably controlled, and synchronous control with ensured safety is performed. Can do.

  Further, the control device 270 synchronizes the horizontal movement and the raising operation of the substrate W to the first gap, and performs only the raising operation of the substrate W from the first gap to the exposure gap. Since the tilt adjusting mechanism 237 and the X-axis and Y-axis feed driving mechanisms 239 and 246 are controlled, the ascending operation is not performed to the exposure gap while moving in the horizontal direction, and the contact between the mask M and the workpiece W during the step operation is performed. Can be avoided more reliably.

  Further, the control device 270 performs only the retracting operation from the exposure gap to the second gap and, after exceeding the second gap, synchronizes the horizontal movement of the substrate W and the retracting operation. -Since the tilt adjustment mechanism 237 and the X-axis and Y-axis feed drive mechanisms 239 and 246 are controlled, the mask M and the workpiece W during the step operation are not moved without moving away from the exposure gap while moving in the horizontal direction. Can be more reliably avoided.

The ascending operation and the retracting operation may be performed in conjunction with the driving of the Z-axis coarse movement mechanism 224 in addition to the driving of the Z-tilt adjustment mechanism 237.
Further, the exposure apparatus PE ′ of the present embodiment has a twin stage configuration using two work stages 211 and 212, but only the first work stage 211 of the present embodiment is used, as in the first embodiment. A single stage configuration may be used.

  That is, in the divided sequential proximity exposure apparatus PE ″ shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the mask stage 210, the first work stage 211, the irradiation optical system 213, the pre-alignment unit 214, and the first work loader 215 are provided on the base 221. A mask loader 217 and a mask aligner 218 are placed. A first substrate cassette 270A is disposed in the vicinity of the first work loader 215, and a mask cassette 291 is disposed in the vicinity of the mask aligner 218. The configuration and operation of the substrate holding part 231a of the first work stage 211 are the same as those of the second embodiment shown in FIGS.

The exposure apparatus PE ″ performs the exposure work only with the first work stage 211. Therefore, after the exposure work of the substrate W placed on the first work stage 211 located at the exposure position EP, the first work stage 211 is exposed. After moving 211 from the exposure position EP to the standby position WP, the already exposed substrate W is unloaded and the next substrate W is pre-aligned. Then, after the first work stage 211 is moved from the standby position WP to the exposure position EP, the exposure operation is repeated.
Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above at all, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it can implement with a various form.

1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a divided sequential proximity exposure apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an expansion perspective view of a mask stage part. (A) is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 2, (b) is a top view of the mask position adjustment mechanism of (a). It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the irradiation optical system of the workpiece | work side alignment mark. It is a block diagram which shows the focus adjustment mechanism of an alignment image. It is a side view which shows the basic structure of an alignment camera and the focus adjustment mechanism of this alignment camera. It is a front view of the division | segmentation successive proximity exposure apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the divided sequential proximity exposure apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view of the board | substrate W which chamfered 12-inch 15-inch display material DP. It is a figure which shows the mask arrange | positioned facing the board | substrate W of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating step exposure. It is a flowchart which shows the step operation | movement in the case of step exposure of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the locus | trajectory in the case of step exposure of this invention. It is a top view which shows schematically the whole structure of the division | segmentation successive proximity exposure apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part front view of the division | segmentation successive proximity exposure apparatus of FIG. It is a side view of a substrate stage. It is a side view of the mask loader in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the division | segmentation successive proximity exposure apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the step operation | movement in the case of step exposure of 2nd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the rotational speed of the motor of an X-axis and a Y-axis feed drive mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the locus | trajectory in the case of step exposure of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows roughly the example which applied the structure of the division | segmentation successive proximity exposure apparatus of 2nd Embodiment to the single stage structure. It is a principal part front view of the division | segmentation successive proximity exposure apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the step operation | movement with the conventional exposure apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Mask stage 2 Work stage 2A Z-axis feed base (feed mechanism)
2B Work stage feed mechanism (feed mechanism)
3 Illumination optical system (irradiation means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 Device base 8 Work chuck 10 Mask stage base 12 Mask holding frame 13 Mask position adjustment mechanism 13x X-axis direction drive device 13y Y-axis direction drive device 14 Gap sensor 15 Alignment camera 16 Chuck part 19 Movement mechanism 21 Vertical coarse motion mechanism 22 Z Shaft coarse movement stage 23 Vertical fine movement mechanism 24 Z axis fine movement stage 43 X axis feed drive mechanism 431 Motor 53 Y axis feed drive mechanism 531 Motor 60 Laser length measuring device 62, 63 Y axis interferometer (laser interferometer)
64 X-axis interferometer (laser interferometer)
66 Y-axis mirror 68 X-axis mirror 80 Control device 100 Work side alignment mark 101 Mask side alignment mark 150 Best focus adjustment mechanism 151 Focus adjustment mechanism 210 Mask stage 211 First work stage 212 Second work stage 213 Illumination optical system 214 Pre-alignment unit 215 First work loader 216 Second work loader 237 Z-tilt adjustment mechanism (feed mechanism)
239 X-axis feed drive mechanism (feed mechanism)
246 Y-axis feed drive mechanism (feed mechanism)
270A, 270B Substrate cassette W Substrate M Mask EP Exposure position WP1 First standby position WP2 Second standby position

Claims (6)

A work stage for holding a substrate as a material to be exposed, a mask stage that is arranged opposite to the substrate and holds a mask, and irradiation means for irradiating the substrate with light for pattern exposure through the mask; A feed mechanism that moves one of the work stage and the mask stage relative to the other in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the mask pattern of the mask faces a plurality of predetermined positions on the substrate; and An exposure apparatus comprising a control device for controlling,
The exposure apparatus characterized in that the control device controls the feed mechanism so that the feed mechanism synchronizes the relative movement in the horizontal direction and the relative movement in the vertical direction. The feed mechanism includes a motor for moving the work stage in a horizontal direction,
The control device controls the feed mechanism to start the relative movement in the vertical direction in which the mask and the substrate are close to each other based on the state signal of the motor during the relative movement in the horizontal direction. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1.   The controller is configured to start the relative movement in the vertical direction in which the mask and the substrate come close to each other when the rotational speed of the motor is reduced to a predetermined speed or less during the relative movement in the horizontal direction. The exposure apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the exposure mechanism is controlled.   The control device synchronizes the relative movement in the horizontal direction and the relative movement in the vertical direction in which the mask and the substrate are close to each other up to a first gap larger than an exposure gap between the mask and the substrate at the time of exposure. And the feed mechanism is controlled so that only the relative movement in the vertical direction in which the mask and the substrate are further closer to each other from the first gap to the exposure gap is performed. Item 4. The exposure apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   The control device performs only the vertical relative movement in which the mask and the substrate are separated from each other from an exposure gap between the mask and the substrate during exposure to a second gap larger than the exposure gap, and The feed mechanism is controlled to synchronize the relative movement in the horizontal direction and the relative movement in the vertical direction in which the mask and the substrate are further separated from each other after the second gap is exceeded. An exposure apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   6. An exposure method using the exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feed mechanism performs the horizontal relative movement and the vertical relative movement in synchronization.

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