An exposure method includes the steps of introducing fluid to a space
between a surface of an object to be exposed, and a final surface of a
projection optical system, projecting a pattern on a mask onto the object
via the projection optical system and the fluid, wherein the introducing
step includes the steps of filling the fluid in the space between the
surface of the object and the final surface of the projection optical
system, and wherein the filling step changes a capillary attraction of
the fluid different from the capillary attraction that operates during
the projection step.