Patents by Inventor Alexander Kohl

Alexander Kohl 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: 10191382
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Publication number: 20180335702
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Patent number: 9977333
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Publication number: 20170351183
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Patent number: 9599904
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Patent number: 9470981
    Abstract: Optics, such as, for example, microlithographic projection exposure apparatus illumination optics, as well as related systems, methods, components and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Kohl
  • Publication number: 20160187789
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Patent number: 9310694
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Publication number: 20160004167
    Abstract: Optics, such as, for example, micro lithographic projection exposure apparatus illumination optics, as well as related systems, methods, components and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: Alexander Kohl
  • Patent number: 9223226
    Abstract: Optics, such as, for example, microlithographic projection exposure apparatus illumination optics, as well as related systems, methods, components and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Kohl
  • Patent number: 9052611
    Abstract: Optics, such as, for example, microlithographic projection exposure apparatus illumination optics, as well as related systems, methods, components and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Kohl
  • Publication number: 20130250264
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Patent number: 8514371
    Abstract: An imaging device in a projection exposure machine for microlithography has at least one optical element and at least one manipulator, having a linear drive, for manipulating the position of the optical element. The linear drive has a driven subregion and a nondriven subregion, which are movable relative to one another in the direction of a movement axis. The subregions are interconnected at least temporarily via functional elements with an active axis and via functional elements with an active direction at least approximately parallel to the movement axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hummel, Juergen Fischer, Karl-Eugen Aubele, Erich Merz, Raoul Reiner, Klaus Rief, Stefan Schoengart, Markus Neumaier, Baerbel Trossbach, Ulrich Weber, Michael Muehlbeyer, Hubert Holderer, Alexander Kohl, Jochen Weber, Johannes Lippert, Thorsten Rassel
  • Patent number: 8467031
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh
  • Publication number: 20120081686
    Abstract: Optics, such as, for example, microlithographic projection exposure apparatus illumination optics, as well as related systems, methods, components and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Kohl
  • Publication number: 20120081685
    Abstract: Optics, such as, for example, microlithographic projection exposure apparatus illumination optics, as well as related systems, methods, components and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Kohl
  • Patent number: 8085382
    Abstract: Optics, such as, for example, microlithographic projection exposure apparatus illumination optics, as well as related systems, methods, components and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Kohl
  • Publication number: 20110199597
    Abstract: An imaging device in a projection exposure machine for microlithography has at least one optical element and at least one manipulator, having a linear drive, for manipulating the position of the optical element. The linear drive has a driven subregion and a nondriven subregion, which are movable relative to one another in the direction of a movement axis. The subregions are interconnected at least temporarily via functional elements with an active axis and via functional elements with an active direction at least approximately parallel to the movement axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hummel, Jurgen Fischer, Karl-Eugen Aubele, Erich Merz, Raoul Reiner, Klaus Rief, Stefan Schöngart, Markus Neumaier, Bärbel Trossbach, Ulrich Weber, Michael Mühlbeyer, Hubert Holderer, Alexander Kohl, Jochen Weber, Johannes Lippert, Thorsten Rassel
  • Patent number: 7961294
    Abstract: An imaging device in a projection exposure machine for microlithography has at least one optical element and at least one manipulator, having a linear drive, for manipulating the position of the optical element. The linear drive has a driven subregion and a nondriven subregion, which are movable relative to one another in the direction of a movement axis. The subregions are interconnected at least temporarily via functional elements with an active axis and via functional elements with an active direction at least approximately parallel to the movement axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hummel, Juergen Fischer, Karl-Eugen Aubele, Erich Merz, Raoul Reiner, Klaus Rief, Stefan Schoengart, Markus Neumaier, Baerbel Trossbach, Ulrich Weber, Michael Muehlbeyer, Hubert Holderer, Alexander Kohl, Jochen Weber, Johannes Lippert, Thorsten Rassel
  • Publication number: 20100265482
    Abstract: An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Erich Schubert, Alexander Kohl, Gerhard-Wilhelm Ziegler, Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh