Abstract: An alignment system aligns a laser beam to a desired position in a reference plane and to a desired direction in the reference plane. The system diffracts the laser light into different diffraction orders that are projected onto a detection plane using different lenses. As the locations of the projections of the different diffraction orders in the detection plane respond differently to changes in position and in direction of the beam in the reference plane, the locations of the projections enable to determine how to adjust the beam so as to get the beam properly aligned. The diffraction and the projection can be implemented by a hologram.

Abstract: An alignment system aligns a laser beam to a desired position in a reference plane and to a desired direction in the reference plane. The system diffracts the laser light into different diffraction orders that are projected onto a detection plane using different lenses. As the locations of the projections of the different diffraction orders in the detection plane respond differently to changes in position and in direction of the beam in the reference plane, the locations of the projections enable to determine how to adjust the beam so as to get the beam properly aligned. The diffraction and the projection can be implemented by a hologram.

Abstract: A laser radiation source for a lithographic tool comprising a laser module to emit a first laser beam having a first wavelength and a second laser beam having a second wavelength, a beam separation device to separate the optical paths of the first and second laser beams and substantially recombine the optical paths, a beam delivery system to direct the first and second laser beams to a fuel target and an optical isolation apparatus to: adjust the polarization state of the first laser beam, adjust the polarization state of the second laser beam and to block radiation having the adjusted polarization states such that the reflection of the first laser beam and the reflection of the second laser beam are substantially blocked from propagating towards the laser module.

Abstract: A method of generating radiation for a lithography apparatus. The method comprises providing a continuously renewing fuel target (50) at a plasma formation location (12) and directing a continuous-wave excitation beam (6) at the plasma formation location such that fuel within the continuously renewing fuel target is excited by the continuous-wave excitation beam to a radiation generating plasma.

Abstract: A radiation collector comprising a first collector segment comprising a plurality of grazing incidence reflector shells configured to direct radiation to converge in a first location at a distance from the radiation collector, a second collector segment comprising a plurality of grazing incidence reflector shells configured to direct radiation to converge in a second location at said distance from the radiation collector, wherein the first location and the second location are separated from one another.

Abstract: A laser radiation source for a lithographic tool comprising a laser module to emit a first laser beam having a first wavelength and a second laser beam having a second wavelength, a beam separation device to separate the optical paths of the first and second laser beams and substantially recombine the optical paths, a beam delivery system to direct the first and second laser beams to a fuel target and an optical isolation apparatus to: adjust the polarization state of the first laser beam, adjust the polarization state of the second laser beam and to block radiation having the adjusted polarization states such that the reflection of the first laser beam and the reflection of the second laser beam are substantially blocked from propagating towards the laser module.

Abstract: A mount configured to mount an optical element in a module for a lithographic apparatus. The mount includes a plurality of resilient members constructed and arranged to circumferentially support the optical element. Each resilient member includes a plurality of resilient subsections that are configured to engage the optical element around a perimeter thereof. Each resilient subsection is configured to flex independent of another resilient subsection.

Abstract: A radiation collector (141) comprising a plurality of reflective surfaces (400-405), wherein each of the plurality of reflective surfaces is coincident with part of one of a plurality of ellipsoids (40-45), wherein the plurality of ellipsoids have in common a first focus (12) and a second focus (16), each of the plurality of reflective surfaces coincident with a different one of the plurality of ellipsoids, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are configured to receive radiation originating from the first focus (12) and reflect the radiation to the second focus (16). An apparatus (820) shown in FIG.

Abstract: A radiation collector comprising a first collector segment comprising a plurality of grazing incidence reflector shells configured to direct radiation to converge in a first location at a distance from the radiation collector, a second collector segment comprising a plurality of grazing incidence reflector shells configured to direct radiation to converge in a second location at said distance from the radiation collector, wherein the first location and the second location are separated from one another.

Abstract: A method of generating radiation for a lithography apparatus. The method comprises providing a continuously renewing fuel target (50) at a plasma formation location (12) and directing a continuous-wave excitation beam (6) at the plasma formation location such that fuel within the continuously renewing fuel target is excited by the continuous-wave excitation beam to generate a radiation generating plasma.

Abstract: A collector assembly with a radiation collector, a cover plate and a support member connecting the radiation collector to the cover plate are provided. The cover plate is designed to cover an opening in a collector chamber. The collector chamber opening may be large enough to pass the radiation collector and the support member. The removed radiation collector can be cleaned with different cleaning procedures, which may be performed in a cleaning device. Such cleaning device may for example consist of the following: a circumferential hull designed to provide an enclosure volume for circumferentially enclosing at least the radiation collector; an inlet configured to provide at least one of a cleaning gas and a cleaning liquid to the enclosure volume to clean at least said radiation collector; and an outlet configured to remove said at least one of said cleaning gas and said cleaning liquid from the enclosure volume.

Abstract: A collector assembly with a radiation collector, a cover plate and a support member connecting the radiation collector to the cover plate are provided. The cover plate is designed to cover an opening in a collector chamber. The collector chamber opening may be large enough to pass the radiation collector and the support member. The removed radiation collector can be cleaned with different cleaning procedures, which may be performed in a cleaning device. Such cleaning device may for example consist of the following: a circumferential hull designed to provide an enclosure volume for circumferentially enclosing at least the radiation collector; an inlet configured to provide at least one of a cleaning gas and a cleaning liquid to the enclosure volume to clean at least said radiation collector; and an outlet configured to remove said at least one of said cleaning gas and said cleaning liquid from the enclosure volume.

Abstract: A collector assembly with a radiation collector, a cover plate and a support member connecting the radiation collector to the cover plate are provided. The cover plate is designed to cover an opening in a collector chamber. The collector chamber opening may be large enough to pass the radiation collector and the support member. The removed radiation collector can be cleaned with different cleaning procedures, which may be performed in a cleaning device. Such cleaning device may for example consist of the following: a circumferential hull designed to provide an enclosure volume for circumferentially enclosing at least the radiation collector; an inlet configured to provide at least one of a cleaning gas and a cleaning liquid to the enclosure volume to clean at least said radiation collector; and an outlet configured to remove said at least one of said cleaning gas and said cleaning liquid from the enclosure volume.

Abstract: A mount configured to mount an optical element in a module for a lithographic apparatus. The mount includes a plurality of resilient members constructed and arranged to circumferentially support the optical element. Each resilient member includes a plurality of resilient subsections that are configured to engage the optical element around a perimeter thereof Each resilient subsection is configured to flex independent of another resilient subsection.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a source module that include a collector and a radiation source. The collector is configured to collect radiation from the radiation source. An illuminator is configured to condition the radiation, collected by the collector and to provide a radiation beam. A detector is disposed in a fixed positional relationship with respect to the illuminator. The detector is configured to determine a position of the radiation source relative to the collector and a position of the source module relative to the illuminator.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus, comprising a collector being constructed to receive radiation from a radiation source and transmit radiation to an illumination system, wherein the collector is provided with at least one fluid duct, the apparatus including a temperature conditioner to thermally condition the collector utilizing the fluid duct of the collector, the temperature conditioner being configured to feed a first fluid to the fluid duct during a first period, and to feed a second fluid to the fluid duct during at least a second period.

Abstract: A collector assembly with a radiation collector, a cover plate and a support member connecting the radiation collector to the cover plate are provided. The cover plate is designed to cover an opening in a collector chamber. The collector chamber opening may be large enough to pass the radiation collector and the support member. The removed radiation collector can be cleaned with different cleaning procedures, which may be performed in a cleaning device. Such cleaning device may for example consist of the following: a circumferential hull designed to provide an enclosure volume for circumferentially enclosing at least the radiation collector; an inlet configured to provide at least one of a cleaning gas and a cleaning liquid to the enclosure volume to clean at least said radiation collector; and an outlet configured to remove said at least one of said cleaning gas and said cleaning liquid from the enclosure volume.

Abstract: A collector assembly with a radiation collector, a cover plate and a support member connecting the radiation collector to the cover plate are provided. The cover plate is designed to cover an opening in a collector chamber. The collector chamber opening may be large enough to pass the radiation collector and the support member. The removed radiation collector can be cleaned with different cleaning procedures, which may be performed in a cleaning device. Such cleaning device may for example consist of the following: a circumferential hull designed to provide an enclosure volume for circumferentially enclosing at least the radiation collector; an inlet configured to provide at least one of a cleaning gas and a cleaning liquid to the enclosure volume to clean at least said radiation collector; and an outlet configured to remove said at least one of said cleaning gas and said cleaning liquid from the enclosure volume.

Abstract: A contamination prevention system is constructed and arranged to prevent material from propagating with radiation into a lithographic apparatus. The contamination prevention system includes a rotatable carrier provided with a plurality of generally radially outwardly extending blades. The blades are constructed and arranged to absorb or deflect the material. The system also includes a stationary shaft, and a bearing constructed and arranged to rotate the rotatable carrier and the blades around the shaft. The rotatable carrier is provided with a space for at least partially receiving a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus, comprising a collector being constructed to receive radiation from a radiation source and transmit radiation to an illumination system, wherein the collector is provided with at least one fluid duct, the apparatus including a temperature conditioner to thermally condition the collector utilizing the fluid duct of the collector, the temperature conditioner being configured to feed a first fluid to the fluid duct during a first period, and to feed a second fluid to the fluid duct during at least a second period.