Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a polarization sensor configured at least in part to couple to a reticle stage, wherein components of the reticle polarization sensor can be loaded and unloaded in the lithographic apparatus in the manner used for conventional reticles. In one configuration an active reticle tool includes a rotatable retarder configured to vary the retardation applied to polarized light received from a field point in the illumination system. In another configuration, a passive reticle tool is configured as an array of polarization sensor modules, where the amount of retardation applied to received light by fixed retarders varies according to position of the polarization sensor module. Accordingly, a plurality of retardation conditions for light received at a given field point can be measured, wherein a complete determination of a polarization state of the light at the given field point can be determined.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a polarization sensor configured at least in part to couple to a reticle stage, wherein components of the reticle polarization sensor can be loaded and unloaded in the lithographic apparatus in the manner used for conventional reticles. In one configuration an active reticle tool includes a rotatable retarder configured to vary the retardation applied to polarized light received from a field point in the illumination system. In another configuration, a passive reticle tool is configured as an array of polarization sensor modules, where the amount of retardation applied to received light by fixed retarders varies according to position of the polarization sensor module. Accordingly, a plurality of retardation conditions for light received at a given field point can be measured, wherein a complete determination of a polarization state of the light at the given field point can be determined.

Abstract: A lens element comprises a first face and a second face, where the first face comprises a plurality of concave shaped lens parts. Each concave shaped lens part is arranged to focus a portion of a beam incident on the second face via a liquid on a single flat surface.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus uses polarized light to improve the imaging properties such as exposure latitude, while maintaining and extending the lifetime of an illumination system in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; and a detector for measuring the intensity of the radiation after it has passed through the projection system. The apparatus further includes a polarization changing element, such as a quarter-wave plate, that is adjustable; and a polarization analyzer, such as a linear polarizer, wherein the polarization changing element and the polarization analyzer are arranged in order in the radiation beam path at the level at which a patterning device would be held by the support.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus uses polarized light to improve the imaging properties such as exposure latitude, while maintaining and extending the lifetime of an illumination system in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus comprises an illumination system having optical elements capable of conditioning a radiation beam to comprise in cross-section a first portion of linearly polarized radiation and a second portion of unpolarized or circularly polarized radiation. The apparatus further comprises a support constructed to support a patterning device is provided, the patterning device being capable of imparting the illuminating radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. A substrate table is provided to hold a substrate, whilst a projection system is provided and configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus uses polarized light to improve the imaging properties, such as exposure latitude, while maintaining and extending the lifetime of an illumination system in the lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: To compensate for birefringence of a mask in a lithographic projection apparatus, the birefringence of a mask is measured and stored as birefringence data in a data storage device. A birefringent compensation element is disposed in the optical path of the lithographic projection apparatus. Appropriate adjustments of the compensation element are determined as those optimally reducing impact of the mask birefringence on the state of polarization at substrate level.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a radiation system for providing a projection beam of primary radiation, a support structure for supporting patterning structure, the patterning structure serving to pattern the projection beam according to a desired pattern, a substrate table for holding a substrate, a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, a radiation sensor which is moveable in a path traversed by the projection beam, for receiving primary radiation out of the projection beam, the sensor including a radiation-sensitive material which converts incident primary radiation into secondary radiation, a radiation detector capable of detecting said secondary radiation emerging from said material, and a filter material for preventing secondary radiation from traveling in a direction away from the radiation detector.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a radiation system for providing a projection beam of primary radiation, a support structure for supporting patterning structure, the patterning structure serving to pattern the projection beam according to a desired pattern, a substrate table for holding a substrate, a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, a radiation sensor which is moveable in a path traversed by the projection beam, for receiving primary radiation out of the projection beam, the sensor including a radiation-sensitive material which converts incident primary radiation into secondary radiation, a radiation detector capable of detecting said secondary radiation emerging from said material, and a filter material for preventing secondary radiation from traveling in a direction away from the radiation detector.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus including an illumination system; a support structure for holding a mask; a substrate table for holding a substrate; a projection system for projecting a pattern onto a target portion of the substrate; and an interferometric measurement system for measuring wave front aberrations of the projection system, characterized in that the interferometric measurement system including: a grating, featuring a grating pattern in a grating plane, said grating being movable into and out of the projection beam, such that the grating plane is substantially coincident with said object plane; a pinhole, featuring a pinhole pattern in a pinhole plane and arranged in a pinhole plate, said pinhole being movable into and out of the projection beam, such that the pinhole plane is substantially coincident with a plane downstream of the projection system and optically conjugate to said object plane, and a detector with a detector surface substantially coincident with a detection plane, said detecti