Patents by Inventor Franz Sorg

Franz Sorg 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: 11194119
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes: an optical element, which is transmissive or reflective to radiation at a used wavelength and has an optically used region; and a thermally conductive component, which is arranged outside the optically used region of the optical element. The thermally conductive component can include a material having a thermal conductivity of more than 500 W m?1 K?1. Additionally or alternatively, the product of the thickness of the thermally conductive component in millimeters and the thermal conductivity of the material of the thermally conductive component is at least 1 W mm m?1 K?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Julian Kaller, Franz Sorg, Ralf Winter, Karl-Stefan Weissenrieder
  • Patent number: 11003088
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microlithography projection exposure system having optical corrective elements configured to modify the imaging characteristics, as well as related systems and component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Sorg, Peter Deufel, Toralf Gruner
  • Publication number: 20200233314
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microlithography projection exposure system having optical corrective elements configured to modify the imaging characteristics, as well as related systems and component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Franz Sorg, Peter Deufel, Toralf Gruner
  • Patent number: 10620543
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microlithography projection exposure system having optical corrective elements configured to modify the imaging characteristics, as well as related systems and component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Sorg, Peter Deufel, Toralf Gruner
  • Publication number: 20200103771
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes: an optical element, which is transmissive or reflective to radiation at a used wavelength and has an optically used region; and a thermally conductive component, which is arranged outside the optically used region of the optical element. The thermally conductive component can include a material having a thermal conductivity of more than 500 W m?1 K?1. Additionally or alternatively, the product of the thickness of the thermally conductive component in millimeters and the thermal conductivity of the material of the thermally conductive component is at least 1 W mm m?1 K?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Julian Kaller, Franz Sorg, Ralf Winter, Karl-Stefan Weissenrieder
  • Patent number: 10509336
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes: an optical element, which is transmissive or reflective to radiation at a used wavelength and has an optically used region; and a thermally conductive component, which is arranged outside the optically used region of the optical element. The thermally conductive component can include a material having a thermal conductivity of more than 500 W m?1 K?1. Additionally or alternatively, the product of the thickness of the thermally conductive component in millimeters and the thermal conductivity of the material of the thermally conductive component is at least 1 W mm m?1 K?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Julian Kaller, Franz Sorg, Ralf Winter, Karl-Stefan Weissenrieder
  • Publication number: 20190302627
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microlithography projection exposure system having optical corrective elements configured to modify the imaging characteristics, as well as related systems and component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Franz Sorg, Peter Deufel, Toralf Gruner
  • Patent number: 10345710
    Abstract: A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a projection lens that is configured for immersion operation. For this purpose an immersion liquid is introduced into an immersion space that is located between a last lens of the projection lens on the image side and a photosensitive layer to be exposed. To reduce fluctuations of refractive index resulting from temperature gradients occurring within the immersion liquid, the projection exposure apparatus includes heat transfer elements that heat or cool partial volumes of the immersion liquid so as to achieve an at least substantially homogenous or at least substantially rotationally symmetric temperature distribution within the immersion liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Albrecht Ehrmann, Ulrich Wegmann, Rainer Hoch, Joerg Mallmann, Karl-Heinz Schuster, Ulrich Loering, Toralf Gruner, Bernhard Kneer, Bernhard Geuppert, Franz Sorg, Jens Kugler, Norbert Wabra
  • Patent number: 10197925
    Abstract: An optical module includes: a first holding device with a circumference extending in a first circumferential direction; and a plurality of first supporting devices configured to support a first optical element, the first supporting devices being fixed at the circumference of the first holding device. Along the first circumferential direction, at least one of the first supporting devices is located in a non-equidistant manner between two neighboring first supporting devices. The optical module is configured to be used in a microlithography objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan
  • Publication number: 20180373007
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical module for a lens, especially a microlithographic apparatus, comprising a first holding device (2) with an inner circumference (2.1) that extends in a first circumferential direction (2.2), and at least one first supporting device (3.1) which is fastened to the inner circumference (2.1) of said first holding device (2) and is used for supporting a first optical element (5.1), an annular circumferential first assembly space (3.18) being defined by displacing the first supporting device (3.1) once in a revolving manner along the first circumferential direction (2.2). At least one second supporting device (3.2) which is fixed to the inner circumference (2.1) of the first holding device (2) is provided for supporting a second optical element (5.2), an annular circumferential second assembly space (3.28) being defined by displacing the second supporting device (3.2) once in a revolving manner along the first circumferential direction (2.2). The first assembly space (3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan
  • Patent number: 9977228
    Abstract: An optical module is configured to be used in a microlithography objective. The optical module includes a first holding device with a circumference extending in a first circumferential direction and a first supporting device configured to support a first optical element. The first supporting device is fixed at the circumference of the first holding device. The optical module also includes a plurality of second supporting devices configured to support a second optical element, the second supporting devices being fixed at the circumference of the first holding device. The first supporting device does not contact the second supporting devices. The first optical element is separate from the second optical element. Along the first circumferential direction, the first supporting device is located in a non-equidistant manner between two neighboring second supporting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan
  • Publication number: 20170261867
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes: an optical element, which is transmissive or reflective to radiation at a used wavelength and has an optically used region; and a thermally conductive component, which is arranged outside the optically used region of the optical element. The thermally conductive component can include a material having a thermal conductivity of more than 500 W m?1 K?1. Additionally or alternatively, the product of the thickness of the thermally conductive component in millimeters and the thermal conductivity of the material of the thermally conductive component is at least 1 W mm m?1 K?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Julian Kaller, Franz Sorg, Ralf Winter, Karl-Stefan Weissenrieder
  • Publication number: 20170082930
    Abstract: A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a projection lens that is configured for immersion operation. For this purpose an immersion liquid is introduced into an immersion space that is located between a last lens of the projection lens on the image side and a photosensitive layer to be exposed. To reduce fluctuations of refractive index resulting from temperature gradients occurring within the immersion liquid, the projection exposure apparatus includes heat transfer elements that heat or cool partial volumes of the immersion liquid so as to achieve an at least substantially homogenous or at least substantially rotationally symmetric temperature distribution within the immersion liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Albrecht Ehrmann, Ulrich Wegmann, Rainer Hoch, Joerg Mallmann, Karl-Heinz Schuster, Ulrich Loering, Toralf Gruner, Bernhard Kneer, Bernhard Geuppert, Franz Sorg, Jens Kugler, Norbert Wabra
  • Patent number: 9436095
    Abstract: A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a projection lens that is configured for immersion operation. For this purpose an immersion liquid is introduced into an immersion space that is located between a last lens of the projection lens on the image side and a photosensitive layer to be exposed. To reduce fluctuations of refractive index resulting from temperature gradients occurring within the immersion liquid, the projection exposure apparatus includes heat transfer elements that heat or cool partial volumes of the immersion liquid so as to achieve an at least substantially homogenous or at least substantially rotationally symmetric temperature distribution within the immersion liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Albrecht Ehrmann, Ulrich Wegmann, Rainer Hoch, Joerg Mallmann, Karl-Heinz Schuster, Ulrich Loering, Toralf Gruner, Bernhard Kneer, Bernhard Geuppert, Franz Sorg, Jens Kugler, Norbert Wabra
  • Publication number: 20160041475
    Abstract: A replacement apparatus for an optical element mounted between two adjacent optical elements in a lithography objective has a holder for the optical element to be replaced, which holder can be moved into the lithography objective through a lateral opening in a housing of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Andreas Wurmbrand, Thomas Schletterer, Thomas Ittner
  • Publication number: 20160026094
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microlithography projection exposure system having optical corrective elements configured to modify the imaging characteristics, as well as related systems and component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Franz Sorg, Peter Deufel, Toralf Gruner
  • Patent number: 9081296
    Abstract: A replacement apparatus for an optical element mounted between two adjacent optical elements in a lithography objective has a holder for the optical element to be replaced, which holder can be moved into the lithography objective through a lateral opening in a housing of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Andreas Wurmbrand, Thomas Schletterer, Thomas Ittner
  • Publication number: 20150070789
    Abstract: A replacement apparatus for an optical element mounted between two adjacent optical elements in a lithography objective has a holder for the optical element to be replaced, which holder can be moved into the lithography objective through a lateral opening in a housing of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Andreas Wurmbrand, Thomas Schletterer, Thomas Ittner
  • Patent number: 8902519
    Abstract: A replacement apparatus for an optical element mounted between two adjacent optical elements in a lithography objective has a holder for the optical element to be replaced, which holder can be moved into the lithography objective through a lateral opening in a housing of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Andreas Wurmbrand, Thomas Schletterer, Thomas Ittner
  • Publication number: 20140268381
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical module for a lens, especially a microlithographic apparatus, comprising a first holding device with an inner circumference that extends in a first circumferential direction, and at least one first supporting device which is fastened to the inner circumference of said first holding device and is used for supporting a first optical element, an annular circumferential first assembly space being defined by displacing the first supporting device once in a revolving manner along the first circumferential direction. At least one second supporting device which is fixed to the inner circumference of the first holding device is provided for supporting a second optical element, an annular circumferential second assembly space being defined by displacing the second supporting device once in a revolving manner along the first circumferential direction. The first assembly space intersects the second assembly space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan