Molding apparatus and article manufacturing method

A molding apparatus that molds a composition on a substrate by using a mold, the molding apparatus comprising:

• a control unit configured to control a process of forming a film of the composition between a first surface of the mold and the substrate by bringing the first surface into contact with the composition;
• and
• a deforming unit configured to deform the first surface into a convex shape, with respect to a substrate side of the mold, by applying pressure to a second surface of the mold on an opposite side of the mold to the first surface of the mold,
• wherein the control unit is configured to control the deforming unit in the process so as to make pressure applied to the second surface of the mold by the deforming unit after contact between the first surface of the mold and the composition larger than a pressure applied to the second surface of the mold by the deforming unit before the contact between the first surface and the composition,
• wherein the deforming unit is configured to deform the first surface of the mold into the convex shape, with respect to the substrate side of the mold, by applying the pressure to the second surface upon adjusting a pressure of a core out provided in the second surface of the mold,
• wherein the control unit is configured to set the pressure of the core out by the deforming unit to a first pressure value so as to form the first surface of the mold into the convex shape, with respect to the substrate side of the mold, before the contact between the first surface and the composition and is configured to set the pressure of the core out to a second pressure value larger than the first pressure value while the first surface is pressed against the composition, and
• wherein the control unit is configured to set the pressure of the core out so as to change the first pressure value to the second pressure value within a predetermined time after contact between the first surface of the mold and the composition while the first surface causes the composition to spread on the substrate.