Patents by Inventor Norbert Muehlberger

Norbert Muehlberger 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).

  • Patent number: 9996012
    Abstract: A facet mirror is to be used as a bundle-guiding optical component in a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. The facet mirror has a plurality of separate mirrors. For individual deflection of incident illumination light, the separate mirrors are in each case connected to an actuator in such a way that they are separately tiltable about at least one tilt axis. A control device, which is connected to the actuators, is configured in such a way that a given grouping of the separate mirrors can be grouped into separate mirror groups that include in each case at least two separate mirrors. The result is a facet mirror which, when installed in the projection exposure apparatus, increases the variability for setting various illumination geometries of an object field to be illuminated by the projection exposure apparatus. Various embodiments of separate mirrors for forming the facet mirrors are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Dinger, Martin Endres, Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Florian Bach
  • Patent number: 9513562
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for microlithography for the production of semiconductor components includes at least one optical assembly with at least one optical element which can be actuated in a mechanically controlled manner is mounted in a structure. For carrying out the mechanical actuation, a control signal transmission device and/or an energy transmission device are/is provided, which introduce(s) no parasitic mechanical effects into the optical assembly at least during specific operating states of the projection exposure apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Fischer, Armin Schoeppach, Matthias Orth, Norbert Muehlberger, Thorsten Rassel, Armin Werber, Juergen Huber
  • Publication number: 20160313646
    Abstract: A facet mirror is to be used as a bundle-guiding optical component in a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. The facet mirror has a plurality of separate mirrors. For individual deflection of incident illumination light, the separate mirrors are in each case connected to an actuator in such a way that they are separately tiltable about at least one tilt axis. A control device, which is connected to the actuators, is configured in such a way that a given grouping of the separate mirrors can be grouped into separate mirror groups that include in each case at least two separate mirrors. The result is a facet mirror which, when installed in the projection exposure apparatus, increases the variability for setting various illumination geometries of an object field to be illuminated by the projection exposure apparatus. Various embodiments of separate mirrors for forming the facet mirrors are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Udo Dinger, Martin Endres, Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Florian Bach
  • Patent number: 9448384
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for mounting an optical element, in particular in an EUV projection exposure apparatus, comprising a weight force compensation device for exerting a compensation force on the optical element, wherein the compensation force at least partly compensates for the weight force acting on the optical element, wherein the weight force compensation device has a passive magnetic circuit for generating a force component of the compensation force acting on the optical element, and wherein at least one adjustment element is provided via which the force component generated by the passive magnetic circuit is continuously adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Erath, Florian Bach, Ulrich Schoenhoff, Rodolfo Rabe, Norbert Muehlberger, Dirk Eicher, Jasper Wesselingh
  • Patent number: 9411241
    Abstract: A facet mirror is to be used as a bundle-guiding optical component in a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. The facet mirror has a plurality of separate mirrors. For individual deflection of incident illumination light, the separate mirrors are in each case connected to an actuator in such a way that they are separately tiltable about at least one tilt axis. A control device, which is connected to the actuators, is configured in such a way that a given grouping of the separate mirrors can be grouped into separate mirror groups that include in each case at least two separate mirrors. The result is a facet mirror which, when installed in the projection exposure apparatus, increases the variability for setting various illumination geometries of an object field to be illuminated by the projection exposure apparatus. Various embodiments of separate mirrors for forming the facet mirrors are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Dinger, Martin Endres, Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Florian Bach
  • Patent number: 9341807
    Abstract: A gravitation compensator for mounting optical elements in a projection exposure apparatus and a corresponding projection exposure apparatus are disclosed. The gravitation compensator at least partly compensates for the weight force of a mounted optical element and simultaneously enables a change in the position of the optical element without the compensated weight force being altered in an impermissible manner during the change in position. This applies, in particular, to high weight forces which are to be compensated. Furthermore, the gravitation compensator enables use in different atmospheres and the compensation of corresponding aging effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Muehlberger, Thorsten Rassel, Armin Schoeppach, Juergen Fischer, Matthias Orth
  • Patent number: 9025128
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuator for projection exposure systems that include a magnet. The magnet is encapsulated and/or supported in a magnet holding plate that is produced by microtechnical production methods so that a moving manipulator surface is held in the magnet holding plate via monolithic or bonded connections without additional connecting material so that there is a secure connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Almut Czap, Juergen Fischer
  • Patent number: 9013676
    Abstract: An individual mirror is used to construct a facet mirror. A mirror body of the individual mirror is configured to be tiltable relative to a rigid carrier body about at least one tilting axis of a tilting joint. The tilting joint is configured as a solid-body joint. The solid-body joint, perpendicular to the tilting axis, has a joint thickness S and, along the tilting axis, a joint length L. The following applies: L/S>50. The result is an individual mirror to construct a facet mirror, which can be reproduced and is precisely adjustable and simultaneously ensures adequate heat removal, in particular, heat produced by residually absorbed useful radiation, which is reflected by the individual mirror, by dissipation of the heat by the mirror body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Florian Bach
  • Publication number: 20150015864
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for microlithography for the production of semiconductor components includes at least one optical assembly with at least one optical element which can be actuated in a mechanically controlled manner is mounted in a structure. For carrying out the mechanical actuation, a control signal transmission device and/or an energy transmission device are/is provided, which introduce(s) no parasitic mechanical effects into the optical assembly at least during specific operating states of the projection exposure apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Juergen Fischer, Armin Schoeppach, Matthias Orth, Norbert Muehlberger, Thorsten Rassel, Armin Werber, Juergen Huber
  • Publication number: 20150009557
    Abstract: A gravitation compensator for mounting optical elements in a projection exposure apparatus and a corresponding projection exposure apparatus are disclosed. The gravitation compensator at least partly compensates for the weight force of a mounted optical element and simultaneously enables a change in the position of the optical element without the compensated weight force being altered in an impermissible manner during the change in position. This applies, in particular, to high weight forces which are to be compensated. Furthermore, the gravitation compensator enables use in different atmospheres and the compensation of corresponding aging effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert Muehlberger, Thorsten Rassel, Armin Schoeppach, Juergen Fischer, Matthias Orth
  • Patent number: 8885143
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for microlithography for the production of semiconductor components includes at least one optical assembly with at least one optical element which can be actuated in a mechanically controlled manner is mounted in a structure. For carrying out the mechanical actuation, a control signal transmission device and/or an energy transmission device are/is provided, which introduce(s) no parasitic mechanical effects into the optical assembly at least during specific operating states of the projection exposure apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Fischer, Armin Schoeppach, Matthias Orth, Norbert Muehlberger, Thorsten Rassel, Armin Werber, Juergen Huber
  • Patent number: 8854603
    Abstract: A gravitation compensator for mounting optical elements in a projection exposure apparatus and a corresponding projection exposure apparatus are disclosed. The gravitation compensator at least partly compensates for the weight force of a mounted optical element and simultaneously enables a change in the position of the optical element without the compensated weight force being altered in an impermissible manner during the change in position. This applies, in particular, to high weight forces which are to be compensated. Furthermore, the gravitation compensator enables use in different atmospheres and the compensation of corresponding aging effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Muehlberger, Thorsten Rassel, Armin Schoeppach, Juergen Fischer, Matthias Orth
  • Publication number: 20130314681
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for mounting an optical element, in particular in an EUV projection exposure apparatus, comprising a weight force compensation device (103) for exerting a compensation force on the optical element (101), wherein said compensation force at least partly compensates for the weight force acting on the optical element (101), wherein the weight force compensation device (103) has a passive magnetic circuit for generating a force component of the compensation force acting on the optical element (101), and wherein at least one adjustment element (880) is provided by means of which the force component generated by the passive magnetic circuit is continuously adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Erath, Florian Bach, Ulrich Schoenhoff, Rodolfo Rabe, Norbert Muehlberger, Dirk Eicher, Jasper Wesselingh
  • Publication number: 20120008121
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuator for projection exposure systems that include a magnet. The magnet is encapsulated and/or supported in a magnet holding plate that is produced by microtechnical production methods so that a moving manipulator surface is held in the magnet holding plate via monolithic or bonded connections without additional connecting material so that there is a secure connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Almut Czap, Juergen Fischer
  • Publication number: 20110273694
    Abstract: An individual mirror is used to construct a facet mirror. A mirror body of the individual mirror is configured to be tiltable relative to a rigid carrier body about at least one tilting axis of a tilting joint. The tilting joint is configured as a solid-body joint. The solid-body joint, perpendicular to the tilting axis, has a joint thickness S and, along the tilting axis, a joint length L. The following applies: L/S>50. The result is an individual mirror to construct a facet mirror, which can be reproduced and is precisely adjustable and simultaneously ensures adequate heat removal, in particular, heat produced by residually absorbed useful radiation, which is reflected by the individual mirror, by dissipation of the heat by the mirror body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Florian Bach
  • Publication number: 20110267596
    Abstract: A gravitation compensator for mounting optical elements in a projection exposure apparatus and a corresponding projection exposure apparatus are disclosed. The gravitation compensator at least partly compensates for the weight force of a mounted optical element and simultaneously enables a change in the position of the optical element without the compensated weight force being altered in an impermissible manner during the change in position. This applies, in particular, to high weight forces which are to be compensated. Furthermore, the gravitation compensator enables use in different atmospheres and the compensation of corresponding aging effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Muehlberger, Thorsten Rassel, Armin Schoeppach, Juergen Fischer, Matthias Orth
  • Publication number: 20110235012
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for microlithography for the production of semiconductor components includes at least one optical assembly with at least one optical element which can be actuated in a mechanically controlled manner is mounted in a structure. For carrying out the mechanical actuation, a control signal transmission device and/or an energy transmission device are/is provided, which introduce(s) no parasitic mechanical effects into the optical assembly at least during specific operating states of the projection exposure apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Fischer, Armin Schoeppach, Matthias Orth, Norbert Muehlberger, Thorsten Rassel, Armin Werber, Juergen Huber
  • Publication number: 20110001947
    Abstract: A facet mirror is to be used as a bundle-guiding optical component in a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. The facet mirror has a plurality of separate mirrors. For individual deflection of incident illumination light, the separate mirrors are in each case connected to an actuator in such a way that they are separately tiltable about at least one tilt axis. A control device, which is connected to the actuators, is configured in such a way that a given grouping of the separate mirrors can be grouped into separate mirror groups that include in each case at least two separate mirrors. The result is a facet mirror which, when installed in the projection exposure apparatus, increases the variability for setting various illumination geometries of an object field to be illuminated by the projection exposure apparatus. Various embodiments of separate mirrors for forming the facet mirrors are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Udo Dinger, Martin Endres, Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Florian Bach