摘要:
Imaging system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, with a projection objective (200, 300, 500, 600) that serves to project an image of a mask which can be set into position in an object plane onto a light-sensitive coating layer which can be set into position in an image plane, and with a liquid-delivery device (205) serving to fill immersion liquid (202, 310, 507) into an interstitial space between the image plane and a last optical element (201, 309, 506) on the image-plane side of the projection objective; wherein the last optical element on the image-plane side of the projection objective is arranged so that, seen in the direction of gravity, it follows the image plane; and wherein the projection objective is configured in such a way that when the system is operating with immersion, the immersion liquid has at least in some areas a convex-curved surface facing in the direction away from the image plane. It is also proposed for the last optical element (201, 309, 506) on the image-plane side of the projection objective to be arranged below the image plane in such a way that the immersion liquid (202, 310, 507, 601) is held at least in part in a substantially tub-shaped area on the last optical element on the image-plane side. Also, a rotator can be provided which serves to rotate a substrate carrying the light-sensitive coating (401) between a transport orientation in which the light-sensitive coating lies on a substrate surface that faces against the direction of gravity and an exposure orientation in which the light-sensitive coating (401) lies on a substrate surface that faces in the direction of gravity.
摘要:
Imaging system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus with a projection objective (200, 300, 500, 600) that serves to project an image of a mask which can be set into position in an object plane onto a light-sensitive coating layer which can be set into position in an image plane, and with a liquid-delivery device (205) serving to fill immersion liquid (202, 310, 507) into an interstitial space between the image plane and a last optical element (201, 309, 506) on the image-plane side of the projection objective; wherein the last optical element on the image-plane side of the projection objective is arranged so that, seen in the direction of gravity, it follows the image plane; and wherein the projection objective is configured in such a way that when the system is operating with immersion, the immersion liquid has at least in some areas a convex-curved surface facing in the direction away from the image plane. It is also proposed for the last optical element (201, 309, 506) on the image-plane side of the projection objective to be arranged below the image plane in such a way that the immersion liquid (202, 310, 507, 601) is held at least in part in a substantially tub-shaped area on the last optical element on the image-plane side. Also, a rotator can be provided which serves to rotate a substrate carrying the light-sensitive coating (401) between a transport orientation in which the light-sensitive coating lies on a substrate surface that faces against the direction of gravity and an exposure orientation in which the light-sensitive coating (401) lies on a substrate surface that faces in the direction of gravity.
摘要:
A projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus (110) is designed for immersion operation in which an immersion liquid (134) adjoins a photosensitive layer (126). The refractive index of the immersion liquid is greater than the refractive index of a medium (L5; 142; L205; LL7; LL8; LL9). that adjoins the immersion liquid on the object side of the projection objective (120; 120′; 120″). The projection objective is designed such that the immersion liquid (134) is convexly curved towards the object plane (122) during immersion operation.
摘要:
Another approach to decrease the resolution is to introduce an immersion liquid having high refractive index into the gap that remains between a final lens element on the image side of the projection objective and the photoresist or another photosensitive layer to be exposed. Projection objectives that are designed for immersion operation and are therefore also referred to as immersion objective may reach numerical apertures of more than 1, for example 1.3 or 1.4. The term “immersion liquid” shall, in the context of this application, relate also to what is commonly referred to as “solid immersion”. In the case of solid immersion, the immersion liquid is in fact a solid medium that, however, does not get in direct contact with the photoresist but is spaced apart from it by a distance that is only a fraction of the wavelength used. This ensures that the laws of geometrical optics do not apply such that no total reflection occurs.
摘要:
Another approach to decrease the resolution is to introduce an immersion liquid having high refractive index into the gap that remains between a final lens element on the image side of the projection objective and the photoresist or another photosensitive layer to be exposed. Projection objectives that are designed for immersion operation and are therefore also referred to as immersion objective may reach numerical apertures of more than 1, for example 1.3 or 1.4. The term “immersion liquid” shall, in the context of this application, relate also to what is commonly referred to as “solid immersion”. In the case of solid immersion, the immersion liquid is in fact a solid medium that, however, does not get in direct contact with the photoresist but is spaced apart from it by a distance that is only a fraction of the wavelength used. This ensures that the laws of geometrical optics do not apply such that no total reflection occurs.
摘要:
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a projection objective which images an object onto an image plane and has a lens with a curved surface. In the projection objective there is a liquid or solid medium which directly adjoins the curved surface over a region which is usable for imaging the object. The projection exposure apparatus also has an adjustable manipulator for reducing an image field curvature which is caused by heating of the medium during the projection operation.
摘要:
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a projection objective which images an object onto an image plane and has a lens with a curved surface. In the projection objective there is a liquid or solid medium which directly adjoins the curved surface over a region which is usable for imaging the object. The projection exposure apparatus also has an adjustable manipulator for reducing an image field curvature which is caused by heating of the medium during the projection operation.
摘要:
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a projection objective which images an object onto an image plane and has a lens with a curved surface. In the projection objective there is a liquid or solid medium which directly adjoins the curved surface over a region which is usable for imaging the object. The projection exposure apparatus also has an adjustable manipulator for reducing an image field curvature which is caused by heating of the medium during the projection operation.
摘要:
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a projection objective which images an object onto an image plane and has a lens with a curved surface. In the projection objective there is a liquid or solid medium which directly adjoins the curved surface over a region which is usable for imaging the object. The projection exposure apparatus also has an adjustable manipulator for reducing an image field curvature which is caused by heating of the medium during the projection operation.
摘要:
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a projection lens that is configured for immersion operation. For this purpose an immersion liquid is introduced into an immersion space that is located between a last lens of the projection lens on the image side and a photosensitive layer to be exposed. To reduce fluctuations of refractive index resulting from temperature gradients occurring within the immersion liquid, the projection exposure apparatus includes heat transfer elements that heat or cool partial volumes of the immersion liquid so as to achieve an at least substantially homogenous or at least substantially rotationally symmetric temperature distribution within the immersion liquid.