Patents by Inventor Alexander Epple
Alexander Epple has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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High transmission, high aperture catadioptric projection objective and projection exposure apparatus
Patent number: 8345222Abstract: The disclosure provides projection objectives which may be used in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus to expose a radiation-sensitive substrate arranged in the region of an image surface of the projection objective with at least one image of a pattern of a mask arranged in the region of an object surface of the projection objective. The disclosure also provides projection exposure apparatus which include such projection objectives, as well as related components and methods.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: Daniel Kraehmer, Ralf Mueller, Thomas Schicketanz, Wilhelm Ulrich, Alexander Epple -
Patent number: 8339701Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective comprises: a first objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging directly onto the image plane; wherein a first concave mirror having a first continuous mirror surface and at least one second concave mirror having a second continuous mirror surface are arranged upstream of the second intermediate image; pupil surfaces are formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image and between the second intermediate image and the image plane; and all concave mirrors are arranged optically remote from a pupil surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple
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Patent number: 8319944Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: Helmut Beierl, Sascha Bleidistel, Wolfgang Singer, Toralf Gruner, Alexander Epple, Norbert Wabra, Susanne Beder, Jochen Weber, Heiko Feldmann, Baerbel Schwaer, Olaf Rogalsky, Ari Kazi
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Patent number: 8310752Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a projection objective, and a projection objective, such as a projection objective configured to be used in a microlithographic process. The method can include defining an initial design for the projection objective and optimizing the design using a merit function. The method can be used in the manufacturing of projection objectives which may be used in a microlithographic process of manufacturing miniaturized devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: Heiko Feldmann, Toralf Gruner, Alexander Epple
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Publication number: 20120274919Abstract: A reflection mirror assembly for use in a catadioptric imaging optical system includes two curved reflection mirrors, each including a reflection surface expressed by equation (a), where y represents height in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, z represents distance (sag amount) along the optical axis from a tangent plane at a vertex of the reflection surface to a position on the reflection surface at height y, r represents a vertex curvature radius, and R represents a conical coefficient; z=(y2/r)/[1+{1?(1+?)·y2/r2}1/2]??(a), wherein ?1<k<0.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBHInventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple
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Publication number: 20120274918Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern onto an image plane includes: a first objective part for imaging the pattern into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate image into a second intermediate image; and a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate image onto the image plane. A first concave mirror having a continuous mirror surface and a second concave mirror having a continuous mirror surface are upstream of the second intermediate image. A pupil surface is formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image, and between the second intermediate image and the image plane. A plate having essentially parallel plate surfaces is positioned in the first objective part near the pupil surface. At least one plate surface is aspherized to correct for aberrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBHInventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple
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Patent number: 8300211Abstract: Catadioptric projection objective (1) for microlithography for imaging an object field (3) in an object plane (5) onto an image field (7) in an image plane (9), including a first partial objective (11) imaging the object field onto a first real intermediate image (13), a second partial objective (15) imaging the first intermediate image onto a second real intermediate image (17) and a third partial objective (19) imaging the second intermediate image onto the image field (7). The second partial objective (15) has exactly one concave mirror (21) and at least one lens (23). The minimum distance between an optically utilized region of the concave mirror (21) and an optically utilized region of a surface (25)—facing the concave mirror—of a lens (23) adjacent to the concave mirror is greater than 10 mm.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: Alexander Epple, Toralf Gruner, Ralf Mueller
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Patent number: 8289619Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective comprises: a first objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging directly onto the image plane; wherein a first concave mirror having a first continuous mirror surface and at least one second concave mirror having a second continuous mirror surface are arranged upstream of the second intermediate image; pupil surfaces are formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image and between the second intermediate image and the image plane; and all concave mirrors are arranged optically remote from a pupil surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf M. Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple
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Publication number: 20120250147Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y?, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y?·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple, Susanne Beder, Wolfgang Singer
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Publication number: 20120162625Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective has a first objective part, defining a first part of the optical axis and imaging an object field to form a first real intermediate image. It also has a second, catadioptric objective part forming a second real intermediate image using the radiation from the first objective part. The second objective part has a concave mirror and defines a second part of the optical axis. A third objective part images the second real intermediate image into the image plane and defines a third part of the optical axis. Folding mirrors deflect the radiation from the object plane towards the concave mirror; and deflect the radiation from the concave mirror towards the image plane. The first part of the optical axis defined by the first objective part is laterally offset from and aligned parallel with the third part of the optical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBHInventors: Aurelian DODOC, Wilhelm ULRICH, Alexander EPPLE
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Patent number: 8208199Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y?, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y?·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple, Susanne Beder, Wolfgang Singer
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Patent number: 8208198Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y?, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y?·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple, Susanne Beder, Wolfgang Singer
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Patent number: 8199400Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y?, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y?·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple, Susanne Beder, Wolfgang Singer
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Publication number: 20120134016Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a projection objective, and a projection objective, such as a projection objective configured to be used in a microlithographic process. The method can include defining an initial design for the projection objective and optimizing the design using a merit function. The method can be used in the manufacturing of projection objectives which may be used in a microlithographic process of manufacturing miniaturized devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBHInventors: Heiko Feldmann, Toralf Gruner, Alexander Epple
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Publication number: 20120075602Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical arrangement in a projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus which is designed for operation in EUV. The optical arrangement includes first and second mirrors that are in direct succession to each other along the projection beam direction. The second mirror is rigidly connected to the first mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBHInventors: Hans-Juergen Rostalski, Tilman Schwertner, Alexander Epple
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Patent number: 8107162Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging of a pattern, which is arranged on the object plane of the projection objective, on the image plane of the projection objective has a first objective part for imaging of an object field to form a first real intermediate image, a second objective part for production of a second real intermediate image using the radiation coming from the first objective part; and a third objective part for imaging of the second real intermediate image on the image plane. The second objective part is a catadioptric objective part with a concave mirror. A first folding mirror for deflection of the radiation coming from the object plane in the direction of the concave mirror and a second folding mirror for deflection of the radiation coming from the concave mirror in the direction of the image plane are provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: Aurelian Dodoc, Wilhelm Ulrich, Alexander Epple
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Patent number: 8068276Abstract: In some embodiments, a projection objective for lithography includes an optical arrangement of optical elements between an object plane and an image plane. The arrangement generally has at least one intermediate image plane, the arrangement further having at least two correction elements for correcting aberrations, of which a first correction element is arranged optically at least in the vicinity of a pupil plane and a second correction element is arranged in a region which is not optically near either a pupil plane or a field plane.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: Heiko Feldmann, Susanne Beder, Aurelian Dodoc, Alexander Epple, Hans-Juergen Rostalski
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Patent number: 8064040Abstract: A projection objective for microlithography serves for imaging a pattern of a mask arranged in its object surface into an image field arranged in its image surface with a demagnifying imaging scale. It has a multiplicity of optical elements arranged along the optical axis of the projection objective, the optical elements being designed and arranged in such a way that the projection objective has an imageside numerical aperture NA>0.85 and a demagnifying imaging scale where |b|<0.05, and the planar image field having a minimum image field diameter suitable for microlithography of more than 1 mm.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: Aurelian Dodoc, Wilhelm Ulrich, Dieter Bader, Alexander Epple
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Publication number: 20110261444Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging an off-axis object field arranged in an object surface of the projection objective onto an off-axis image field arranged in an image surface of the projection objective has a front lens group, a mirror group comprising four mirrors and having an object side mirror group entry, an image side mirror group exit, and a mirror group plane aligned transversly to the optical axis and arranged geometrically between the mirror group entry and the mirror group exit; and a rear lens group. The mirrors of the mirror group are arranged such that at least one intermediate image is positioned inside the mirror group between mirror group entry and mirror group exit, and that radiation coming from the mirror group entry passes at least four times through the mirror group plane and is reflected at least twice on a concave mirror surface of the mirror group prior to exiting the mirror group at the mirror group exit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Alexander Epple, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Hans-Juergen Mann, David Shafer
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Publication number: 20110235167Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective comprises: a first objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging directly onto the image plane; wherein a first concave mirror having a first continuous mirror surface and at least one second concave mirror having a second continuous mirror surface are arranged upstream of the second intermediate image; pupil surfaces are formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image and between the second intermediate image and the image plane; and all concave mirrors are arranged optically remote from a pupil surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBHInventors: David Shafer, Wilhelm Ulrich, Aurelian Dodoc, Rudolf M. Von Buenau, Hans-Juergen Mann, Alexander Epple