摘要:
An illumination system for illuminating a mask in a microlithographic exposure apparatus has an optical axis and a pupil surface. The system can include an array of reflective or transparent beam deflection elements such as mirrors. Each deflection element can be adapted to deflect an impinging light ray by a deflection angle that is variable in response to a control signal. The beam deflection elements can be arranged in a first plane. The system can further include an optical raster element, which includes a plurality of microlenses and/or diffractive structures. The beam deflection elements), which can be arranged in a first plane, and the optical raster element, which can be arranged in a second plane, can commonly produce a two-dimensional far field intensity distribution. An optical imaging system can optically conjugate the first plane to the second plane.
摘要:
An illumination system for illuminating a mask in a microlithographic exposure apparatus has an optical axis and a pupil surface. The system can include an array of reflective or transparent beam deflection elements such as mirrors. Each deflection element can be adapted to deflect an impinging light ray by a deflection angle that is variable in response to a control signal. The beam deflection elements can be arranged in a first plane. The system can further include an optical raster element, which includes a plurality of microlenses and/or diffractive structures. The beam deflection elements), which can be arranged in a first plane, and the optical raster element, which can be arranged in a second plane, can commonly produce a two-dimensional far field intensity distribution. An optical imaging system can optically conjugate the first plane to the second plane.
摘要:
An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a light source to produce projection light beam, and a first and a second diffractive optical element between the light source and a pupil plane of the illumination system. The diffractive effect produced by each diffractive optical element depends on the position of a light field that is irradiated by the projection light on the diffractive optical elements. A displacement mechanism changes the mutual spatial arrangement of the diffractive optical elements. In at least one of the mutual spatial arrangements, which can be obtained with the help of the displacement mechanism, the light field extends both over the first and the second diffractive optical element. This makes it possible to produce in a simple manner continuously variable illumination settings.
摘要:
Microlithographic illumination system includes individually drivable elements to variably illuminate a pupil surface of the system. Each element deviates an incident light beam based on a control signal applied to the element. The system also includes an instrument to provide a measurement signal, and a model-based state estimator configured to compute, for each element, an estimated state vector based on the measurement signal. The estimated state vector represents: a deviation of a light beam caused by the element; and a time derivative of the deviation. The illumination system further includes a regulator configured to receive, for each element: a) the estimated state vector; and b) target values for: i) the deviation of the light beam caused by the deviating element; and ii) the time derivative of the deviation.
摘要:
An illumination system for illuminating a mask in a scanning microlithographic projection exposure apparatus has an objective with an object plane, at least one pupil surface and an image plane in which a mask can be arranged. A beam deflection array of reflective or transparent beam deflection elements is provided, where each beam deflection element is adapted to deflect an impinging light ray by a deflection angle that is variable in response to a control signal. The beam deflection elements are arranged in or in close proximity to the object plane of the objective.
摘要:
A projection exposure system and a method for operating a projection exposure system for microlithography with an illumination system are disclosed. The illumination system includes at least one variably adjustable pupil-defining element. The illumination stress of at least one optical element of the projection exposure system is determined automatically in the case of an adjustment of the at least one variably adjustable pupil-defining element. From the automatically determined illumination stress, the maximum radiant power of the light source is set or determined and/or in which an illumination system is provided with which different illumination settings can be made. Usage of the projection exposure system is recorded and, from the history of the usage, at least one state parameter of at least one optical element of the projection exposure system is determined.
摘要:
A polarization-modulating optical element including an optically active crystal material has a thickness profile where the thickness, as measured in the direction of the optical axis, varies over the area of the optical element. The polarization-modulating optical element has the effect that the plane of oscillation of a first linearly polarized light ray and the plane of oscillation of a second linearly polarized light ray are rotated, respectively, by a first angle of rotation and a second angle of rotation, with the first angle of rotation and the second angle of rotation being different from each other.
摘要:
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an optical surface, which may be formed by a plurality of micro-mirrors, and a measurement device which is configured to measure a parameter related to the optical surface at a plurality of locations. The measurement device includes an illumination unit with a plurality of illumination members, each having a light exit facet. An optical imaging system establishes an imaging relationship between an object plane in which at least two light exit facets are arranged, and an image plane which at least substantially coincides with the optical surface. A detector unit measures the property of measuring light after it has interacted with the optical surface, and an evaluation unit determines the surface related parameter for each of the locations on the basis of the properties determined by the detector unit.
摘要:
An illumination optical system for microlithography is used to guide an illumination light bundle from a radiation source to an object field in an object plane. A field facet mirror has a plurality of field facets to predetermine defined illumination conditions in the object field. A following optical system is arranged downstream of the field facet mirror to transfer the illumination light into the object field. The following optical system has a pupil facet mirror with a plurality of pupil facets. Some of the field facets are divided into individual mirrors, which predetermine individual mirror illumination channels. The latter illuminate object field portions, which are smaller than the object field. At least some of the individual mirrors are configured as individual correction mirrors. The latter can be tilted between at least two tilting positions, a central region illumination taking place in a basic tilting position and a surrounding region illumination of the object field taking place in a correction tilting position. An illumination optical system is the result, with which a correction of undesired variations of illumination parameters, in particular an illumination intensity distribution over the object field, is possible without loss of light.
摘要:
An illumination optical system for microlithography is used to guide an illumination light bundle from a radiation source to an object field in an object plane. A field facet mirror has a plurality of field facets to predetermine defined illumination conditions in the object field. A following optical system is arranged downstream of the field facet mirror to transfer the illumination light into the object field. The following optical system has a pupil facet mirror with a plurality of pupil facets. Some of the field facets are divided into individual mirrors, which predetermine individual mirror illumination channels. The latter illuminate object field portions, which are smaller than the object field. At least some of the individual mirrors are configured as individual correction mirrors. The latter can be tilted between at least two tilting positions, a central region illumination taking place in a basic tilting position and a surrounding region illumination of the object field taking place in a correction tilting position. An illumination optical system is the result, with which a correction of undesired variations of illumination parameters, in particular an illumination intensity distribution over the object field, is possible without loss of light.