Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a reticle that moves along a scanning direction in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus has an optical axis and an optical component producing an illumination angle distribution of the projection light. In accordance with the illumination angle distribution, a plurality of poles is illuminated in a pupil plane of the illumination system. The poles form an arrangement that is only mirror-symmetrical with respect to an axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the illumination, but neither parallel nor perpendicular to the scanning direction.

Abstract: An illumination system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a light source (1) for generating projection light, a masking arrangement (5) for masking a reticle (R) and a masking objective (6) for imaging the masking arrangement (5) on the reticle (R). A polarizer (10) for generating linearly polarized light is arranged in the masking objective (6). The polarizer (10) may comprise, for example, polarization-selective beam splitting layers (54, 56; 154, 156; 292, 294) arranged at an angle to one another, which are transparent to light in a first polarisation state (68) and reflect light in different second polarisation state (70).

Abstract: A transmission filter apparatus for spatially dependent intensity filtering of an incident light distribution comprises at least one retardation device (23) that can be operated in transmission for the purpose of producing a spatially dependent retarding effect on the light of the incident light distribution, it being possible to drive the retardation device (23) in order to produce a temporally variable, spatially dependent retarding effect, and also comprises at least one polarization filter arrangement (24) arranged in the light path downstream of the retardation device. The transmission filter apparatus (22) is suitable, in particular, for use in illumination systems of microlithography projection exposure machines, since the transmission filtering effect can be set in a temporally variable fashion, and can therefore be tuned to the change in the illumination settings of the illumination system.

Abstract: An illumination system for a microlithographic projection exposure step-and-scan apparatus has a light source, a first optical raster element and a second optical raster element. The first optical raster element extends in a first pupil plane of the illumination system and is designed such that the geometrical optical flux of the system is increased perpendicular to a scan direction of the projection exposure apparatus. The second optical raster element extends in a second pupil plane of the illumination system, which is not necessarily different from the first pupil plane, and is designed such that the geometrical optical flux of the system is increased in the scan direction and perpendicular thereto. This makes it possible to improve the irradiance uniformity in a reticle plane.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the indirect determination of local irradiance in an optical system; wherein the optical system comprises optical elements between which an illuminated beam path is formed and a measurement object which absorbs the radiation in the beam path at least partially is positioned in a partial region of the beam path selected for the locally-resolved determination of the irradiance and the temperature distribution of at least one part of the measurement object is determined by means of a temperature detector.

Abstract: There is provided an illumination system that includes (a) a light source that emits light having a wavelength ?193 nm, where the light provides a predetermined illumination in a plane distant from the light source and defines a used area in the plane, and (b) a sensor, situated in or near the plane, for detecting light outside the used area.

Abstract: An illumination system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a light source (1) for generating projection light, a masking arrangement (5) for masking a reticle (R) and a masking objective (6) for imaging the masking arrangement (5) on the reticle (R). A polarizer (10) for generating linearly polarized light is arranged in the masking objective (6). The polarizer (10) may comprise, for example, polarization-selective beam splitting layers (54, 56; 154, 156; 292, 294) arranged at an angle to one another, which are transparent to light in a first polarisation state (68) and reflect light in different second polarisation state (70).

Abstract: An adjustable plate mold includes two broad-side walls and first and second narrow-side walls clampable between the two broad-side walls to define a size if a slab formable by the plate mold. A frame work includes cassette holders corresponding to the narrow-side walls. Actuating elements are inserted in the cassette holders and connected to the first and second narrow-side walls for moving the first and second side walls to change the size of the slab formable by the plate mold. The framework also includes a holding part for maintaining the narrow-side walls at a constant horizontal level relative to the cassette holders.