Abstract:
The invention relates to a projection illumination system and a projection lens comprising a lens arrangement consisting of at least one group of negative refractive lenses (LG2). Said lens group is comprised of at least 4 negative refractive lenses. A positive refractive lens (L9) is arranged in said lens group (LG2) after the third negative refractive lens (L8).
Abstract:
A microlithography projection objective is proposed with optical elements, i.e. lenses or planar-parallel plates (used as end-closure plates) of crystalline magnesium fluoride, quartz, lanthanum fluoride, sapphire and Alpha-aluminium oxide. Suitable crystallographic orientations, crystal 10 combinations, and polarizations of the light are described. Suitable applications are for immersion lithography or near-field lithography in the DUV and VLN range, using the highest numerical aperture values.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a lens system or a lens mirror system, in particular a projection objective, for imaging a pattern, in particular an object structure, that is arranged on an object plane of a lens system or the lens mirror system on an image plane of the projection objective with the aid of an immersion medium (2), that is arranged between an optical element (1) of the lens system or the lens mirror system and the image plane. A protective plate (13, 17) is arranged between the lens system and the immersion medium (2) and at least one means is arranged laterally on the element (1) and/or subsequently on the protective plate (3, 17) such that the sub pressure of the immersion medium (2) is much less on the external contour of the element (1), between the element (1) and the protective plate (3, 17) than on the immersion fluid itself. Suitable means are, for example, a seal, an intermediate immersion fluid, a surrounding lateral wall, supply and discharge lines for the exchange of the medium between the element (1) and the protective plate (3) or receiving means for adsorbing or absorbing an immersion agent (2).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a projection exposure apparatus with a projection objective that serves to project a structure onto a substrate coated with a light-sensitive resist, wherein an immersion liquid is arranged between an optical element of the projection objective and the resist-coated substrate. As an immersion liquid saturated cyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbons can be used, such as for example cyclo-alkanes comprising up to 12 carbon atoms, saturated polycyclic hydrocarbons with 2 to 6 rings, bridged polycyclic hydrocarbons, cyclic ethers and derivatives of these substances.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a refractive projection lens used in microlithography, which comprises a lens array in which all lenses are made of one material, and which has a numerical aperture (NA) of more than 0.7 on the image side. The light beam (23) transmitting through the lens array (21) is greater than 85 percent of the largest diameter (25) of the light beam or the maximum lens diameter in the area located upstream from a system diaphragm (19) which is disposed in the lens array (21) along a distance that is equal to the greatest diameter (25) of the light beam or the maximum lens diameter in the lens array (21).
Abstract:
The invention relates to the use of double-refractive partial layers (30, 32, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 - 47) in coatings (5, 6, 10 - 21, 30, 32, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 - 47) on optical elements, especially for microlithography objectives. Partial layers (30, 32, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 - 47) with a modulated thickness are used.
Abstract:
A catadioptric projection objective for projecting a pattern arranged in the object plane of the projection objective into the image plane of the projection objective, having: a first objective part for projecting an object field lying in the object plane into a first real intermediate image; a second objective part for generating a second real intermediate image with the radiation coming from the first objective part; a third objective part for generating a third real intermediate image with the radiation coming from the second objective part; and a fourth objective part for projecting the third real intermediate image into the image plane.
Abstract:
A microlithography projection objective is proposed with optical elements, i.e. lenses or planar-parallel plates (used as end-closure plates) of crystalline magnesium fluoride, quartz, lanthanum fluoride, sapphire and Alpha-aluminium oxide. Suitable crystallographic orientations, crystal 10 combinations, and polarizations of the light are described. Suitable applications are for immersion lithography or near-field lithography in the DUV and VLN range, using the highest numerical aperture values.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a delay system for converting an input beam cluster incident from an input side of the delay system to an output beam cluster which has a spatial distribution of polarization states across its cross-section that can be influenced by the delay system, said distribution differing from the spatial distribution of polarization states of the input beam cluster. The inventive delay system is configured as a reflecting delay system. An effective cross-section of the delay system has a plurality of delay areas of different delay effect. A mirror system of this type having a delay effect that varies depending on the location can be used to compensate for undesired variations of the polarization state across the cross-section of an input beam cluster and/or for adjusting certain initial polarization states, e.g. for adjusting radial or tangential polarization.