Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an interference projection exposure system comprising a beam-providing subsystem and an objective lens subsystem that can provide a plurality of light beams which intersect and interfere at an image plane to produce a high spatial frequency periodic optical-intensity distribution. The interference projection system can further comprise a pattern mask that can alter the periodic optical-intensity distribution so as to incorporate functional elements within the periodic optical-intensity distribution. The beam providing subsystem can comprise a beam generating subsystem, a beam conditioning subsystem and a beam directing subsystem. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of producing a high spatial frequency periodic optical-intensity distribution using a interference projection exposure system.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a diffractive photo-mask comprising a body element, a plurality of interference/image-forming hologram gratings, and a zero-order beam blocking element. The plurality of interference/image-forming hologram gratings can be located on or in the body element. The plurality of interference/image-forming hologram gratings are configured to diffract a light beam to produce one or more functional elements surrounded by a high-spatial-frequency periodic optical-intensity distribution at a substrate plane when the light beam is incident upon the diffractive photo-mask.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an interference projection exposure system comprising a beam-providing subsystem and an objective lens subsystem that can provide a plurality of light beams which intersect and interfere at an image plane to produce a high spatial frequency periodic optical-intensity distribution. The interference projection system can further comprise a pattern mask that can alter the periodic optical-intensity distribution so as to incorporate functional elements within the periodic optical-intensity distribution. The beam providing subsystem can comprise a beam generating subsystem, a beam conditioning subsystem and a beam directing subsystem. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of producing a high spatial frequency periodic optical-intensity distribution using a interference projection exposure system.