Abstract: A transmissive diffraction grating for a phase-stepping measurement system for determining an aberration map for a projection system comprises an absorbing layer. The diffraction grating is for use with radiation having a first wavelength (for example (EUV radiation). The absorbing layer is provided with a two-dimensional array of through-apertures. The absorbing layer is formed from a material which has a refractive index for the radiation having the first wavelength in the range 0.% to 1.04.

Abstract: A two-dimensional diffraction grating for a phase-stepping measurement system for determining an aberration map for a projection system comprises a substrate provided with a square array of through-apertures, wherein the diffraction grating is self-supporting. It will be appreciated that for a substrate provided with a square array of through-apertures to be self-supporting at least some substrate material is provided between each through-aperture and the adjacent through apertures. A method of designing a two-dimensional diffraction grating for a phase-stepping measurement system for determining an aberration map for a projection system comprises: selecting a general geometry for the two-dimensional diffraction grating, the general geometry having at least one parameter; and selecting values for the least one parameter that result in a grating efficiency map for the two-dimensional diffraction grating so as to control the contributions to a first harmonic of a phase stepping signal.