Abstract: In a projection objective for imaging a pattern arranged in the object plane of the projection objective into the image plane of the projection objective, at least one optical component is provided which has a substrate in which at least one substrate surface is covered with an interference layer system having a great spatial modulation of the reflectance and/or of the transmittance over a usable cross section of the optical component, the modulation being adapted to a spatial transmission distribution of the remaining components of the projection objective in such a way that an intensity distribution of the radiation that is measured in a pupil surface has a substantially reduced spatial modulation in comparison with a projection objective without the interference layer system.

Abstract: An optical component has a substrate, on which at least one curved substrate surface is formed that defines an optical axis of the optical component, wherein the substrate surface is coated with a multilayer coating that is active in the ultraviolet region at a design wavelength ?0 and includes a first layer, applied to the substrate surface, made from a first dielectric material and at least one second layer, applied to the first layer, made from a second dielectric material. The substrate consists essentially of a crystal material that has an axially parallel crystal direction, running parallel to the optical axis, and edge crystal directions perpendicular to edge regions of the curved substrate surface. An angle between the axially parallel crystal direction and the edge crystal directions is at least 17°, and the first layer has an essentially untextured layer structure. An anisotropy, caused by the substrate structure, in the optical properties of the multilayer coating can thereby be avoided.

Abstract: In a projection objective provided for imaging a pattern arranged in an object plane of the projection objective into an image plane of the projection objective with the aid of an immersion medium arranged between a last optical element of the projection objective in the light path and the image plane, the last optical element has a transparent substrate and a protective layer system that is fitted to the substrate, is provided for contact with the immersion medium and serves for increasing the resistance of the last optical element to degradation caused by the immersion medium.

Abstract: In a projection objective provided for imaging a pattern arranged in an object plane of the projection objective into an image plane of the projection objective with the aid of an immersion medium arranged between a last optical element of the projection objective in the light path and the image plane, the last optical element has a transparent substrate and a protective layer system that is fitted to the substrate, is provided for contact with the immersion medium and serves for increasing the resistance of the last optical element to degradation caused by the immersion medium.

Abstract: In a projection objective provided for imaging a pattern arranged in an object plane of the projection objective into an image plane of the projection objective with the aid of an immersion medium arranged between a last optical element of the projection objective in the light path and the image plane, the last optical element has a transparent substrate and a protective layer system that is fitted to the substrate, is provided for contact with the immersion medium and serves for increasing the resistance of the last optical element to degradation caused by the immersion medium.

Abstract: An optical component has a substrate, on which at least one curved substrate surface is formed that defines an optical axis of the optical component, wherein the substrate surface is coated with a multilayer coating that is active in the ultraviolet region at a design wavelength ?0 and includes a first layer, applied to the substrate surface, made from a first dielectric material and at least one second layer, applied to the first layer, made from a second dielectric material. The substrate consists essentially of a crystal material that has an axially parallel crystal direction, running parallel to the optical axis, and edge crystal directions perpendicular to edge regions of the curved substrate surface. An angle between the axially parallel crystal direction and the edge crystal directions is at least 17°, and the first layer has an essentially untextured layer structure. An anisotropy, caused by the substrate structure, in the optical properties of the multilayer coating can thereby be avoided.

Abstract: In a projection objective provided for imaging a pattern arranged in an object plane of the projection objective into an image plane of the projection objective with the aid of an immersion medium arranged between a last optical element of the projection objective in the light path and the image plane, the last optical element has a transparent substrate and a protective layer system that is fitted to the substrate, is provided for contact with the immersion medium and serves for increasing the resistance of the last optical element to degradation caused by the immersion medium.