Patents by Inventor Timo Laufer

Timo Laufer 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).

  • Publication number: 20230018331
    Abstract: A device (20) for detecting a temperature on a surface (15) of an optical element (14) for semiconductor lithography. The device includes an optical element (14) having a face (16) irradiated with electromagnetic radiation (7, 8, 43), a temperature recording device (21), and a temperature controlled element (22) configured to be temperature-controlled and arranged so that the predominant proportion of the intensity of the thermal radiation (25.2) detected by the temperature recording device and reflected by reflection at the surface of the optical element is emitted by the temperature-controlled element. Also disclosed are an installation (1) for producing a surface (15) of an optical element (14) for semiconductor lithography and a method for producing a surface (15) of an optical element (14) of a projection exposure apparatus (30), wherein the surface is temperature-controlled and the surface temperature is detected during the temperature control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Michael STOLZ, Timo LAUFER
  • Publication number: 20230010705
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography comprises an optical element and a temperature recording device for detecting a temperature on a surface of the optical element via electromagnetic radiation emanating from the surface of the optical element. The temperature recording device can comprise a filter for filtering the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Timo Laufer, Michael Stolz
  • Publication number: 20220308463
    Abstract: Method for avoiding a degradation of an optical element, wherein the optical element is arranged in a housing, comprising: a) determining a first degradation value; b) determining a second degradation value, wherein the first degradation value and the second degradation value are determined at different times; c) forming a degradation profile based on the first degradation value and the second degradation value; d) calculating a temporal development of the degradation profile; e) determining at least one predicted degradation value based on the calculated temporal development of the degradation profile; f) comparing the at least one predicted degradation value with a predefinable first limit degradation value; g) monitoring for a predefinable first deviation between the at least one predicted degradation value and the first limit degradation value; h) feeding a first decontamination medium into the interior if attainment of the predefinable first deviation is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk EHM, Wilbert KRUITHOF, Timo LAUFER
  • Patent number: 11372341
    Abstract: A method for temperature control of a component that is transferable between a first system and a second system includes: ascertaining a temperature drift of a temperature of the component that is to be expected after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system; and modifying a temperature prevailing in the first system and/or a temperature prevailing in the second system such that the temperature drift that is actually occurring after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system is reduced with respect to the expected temperature drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Joeri Lof, Harmen Krediet, Timo Laufer
  • Patent number: 11187989
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for determining at least one property of an EUV source in a projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography, wherein the property is determined on the basis of the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the EUV source, and wherein a thermal load for a component of the projection exposure apparatus is determined and the property is deduced on the basis of the thermal load determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Laufer, Markus Hauf, Ulrich Mueller
  • Publication number: 20210286272
    Abstract: A method for temperature control of a component that is transferable between a first system and a second system includes: ascertaining a temperature drift of a temperature of the component that is to be expected after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system; and modifying a temperature prevailing in the first system and/or a temperature prevailing in the second system such that the temperature drift that is actually occurring after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system is reduced with respect to the expected temperature drift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Joeri Lof, Harmen Krediet, Timo Laufer
  • Patent number: 11022903
    Abstract: A method for temperature control of a component that is transferable between a first system and a second system includes: ascertaining a temperature drift of a temperature of the component that is to be expected after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system; and modifying a temperature prevailing in the first system and/or a temperature prevailing in the second system such that the temperature drift that is actually occurring after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system is reduced with respect to the expected temperature drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Joeri Lof, Harmen Krediet, Timo Laufer
  • Publication number: 20200233318
    Abstract: A method for temperature control of a component that is transferable between a first system and a second system includes: ascertaining a temperature drift of a temperature of the component that is to be expected after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system; and modifying a temperature prevailing in the first system and/or a temperature prevailing in the second system such that the temperature drift that is actually occurring after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system is reduced with respect to the expected temperature drift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Joeri Lof, Harmen Krediet, Timo Laufer
  • Publication number: 20200218159
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for determining at least one property of an EUV source in a projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography, wherein the property is determined on the basis of the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the EUV source, and wherein a thermal load for a component of the projection exposure apparatus is determined and the property is deduced on the basis of the thermal load determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Timo Laufer, Markus Hauf, Ulrich Mueller
  • Patent number: 10684551
    Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Norman Baer, Ulrich Loering, Oliver Natt, Gero Wittich, Timo Laufer, Peter Kuerz, Guido Limbach, Stefan Hembacher, Holger Walter, Yim-Bun-Patrick Kwan, Markus Hauf, Franz-Josef Stickel, Jan Van Schoot
  • Patent number: 10466598
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography includes: a light source for generating optical used radiation by which structures arranged on a reticle can be imaged onto a wafer; a plurality of optical elements for guiding and manipulating the used radiation; and a plurality of position sensors for determining the position of at least some of the optical elements. At least some of the position sensors are arranged on a measurement structure that is at least partially decoupled mechanically and/or thermally from the further components of the projection exposure apparatus. The measurement structure has at least two mechanically decoupled substructures. The first substructure has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the second substructure. The second substructure has a greater stiffness than the first substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Alireza Akbarinia, Alexandre Kemp, Timo Laufer, Amishkumar Panchal
  • Publication number: 20190310555
    Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Norman Baer, Ulrich Loering, Oliver Natt, Gero Wittich, Timo Laufer, Peter Kuerz, Guido Limbach, Stefan Hembacher, Holger Walter, Yim-Bun-Patrick Kwan, Markus Hauf, Franz-Josef Stickel, Jan Van Schoot
  • Publication number: 20190219934
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography includes: a light source for generating optical used radiation by which structures arranged on a reticle can be imaged onto a wafer; a plurality of optical elements for guiding and manipulating the used radiation; and a plurality of position sensors for determining the position of at least some of the optical elements. At least some of the position sensors are arranged on a measurement structure that is at least partially decoupled mechanically and/or thermally from the further components of the projection exposure apparatus. The measurement structure has at least two mechanically decoupled substructures. The first substructure has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the second substructure. The second substructure has a greater stiffness than the first substructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Alireza Akbarinia, Alexandre Kemp, Timo Laufer, Amishkumar Panchal
  • Patent number: 10317802
    Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Norman Baer, Ulrich Loering, Oliver Natt, Gero Wittich, Timo Laufer, Peter Kuerz, Guido Limbach, Stefan Hembacher, Holger Walter, Yim-Bun-Patrick Kwan, Markus Hauf, Franz-Josef Stickel, Jan Van Schoot
  • Publication number: 20180299784
    Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Norman Baer, Ulrich Loering, Oliver Natt, Gero Wittich, Timo Laufer, Peter Kuerz, Guido Limbach, Stefan Hembacher, Holger Walter, Yim-Bun-Patrick Kwan, Markus Hauf, Franz-Josef Stickel, Jan Van Schoot
  • Patent number: 10031423
    Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Norman Baer, Ulrich Loering, Oliver Natt, Gero Wittich, Timo Laufer, Peter Kuerz, Guido Limbach, Stefan Hembacher, Holger Walter, Yim-Bun-Patrick Kwan, Markus Hauf, Franz-Josef Stickel, Jan Van Schoot
  • Publication number: 20170315449
    Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Norman Baer, Ulrich Loering, Oliver Natt, Gero Wittich, Timo Laufer, Peter Kuerz, Guido Limbach, Stefan Hembacher, Holger Walter, Yim-Bun-Patrick Kwan, Markus Hauf, Franz-Josef Stickel, Jan Van Schoot
  • Patent number: 9746778
    Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Norman Baer, Ulrich Loering, Oliver Natt, Gero Wittich, Timo Laufer, Peter Kuerz, Guido Limbach, Stefan Hembacher, Holger Walter, Yim-Bun-Patrick Kwan, Markus Hauf, Franz-Josef Stickel, Jan Van Schoot
  • Patent number: 9639007
    Abstract: An optical arrangement in an optical system, such as a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, includes: at least one heat-emitting subsystem which emits heat during the operation of the optical system; a first heat shield which is arranged such that it at least partly absorbs the heat emitted by the heat-emitting subsystem; a first cooling device which is in mechanical contact with the first heat shield and is designed to dissipate heat from the first heat shield; and a second heat shield which at least partly absorbs heat emitted by the first heat shield. The second heat shield is in mechanical contact with a cooling device that dissipates heat from the second heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Laufer, Alexander Sauerhoefer
  • Publication number: 20160195818
    Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Norman Baer, Ulrich Loering, Oliver Natt, Gero Wittich, Timo Laufer, Peter Kuerz, Guido Limbach, Stefan Hembacher, Holger Walter, Yim-Bun-Patrick Kwan, Markus Hauf, Franz-Josef Stickel, Jan Van Schoot