Abstract: An aspheric reduction objective has a catadioptric partial objective (L1), an intermediate image (IMI) and a refractive partial objective (L2). The catadioptric partial objective has an assembly centered to the optical axis and this assembly includes two mutually facing concave mirrors (M1, M2). The cutouts in the mirrors (B1, B2) lead to an aperture obscuration which can be held to be very small by utilizing lenses close to the mirrors and having a high negative refractive power and aspheric lens surfaces (27, 33). The position of the entry and exit pupils can be corrected with aspherical lens surfaces (12, 48, 53) in the field lens groups. The number of spherical lenses in the refractive partial objective can be reduced with aspherical lens surfaces (66, 78) arranged symmetrically to the diaphragm plane. Neighboring aspheric lens surfaces (172, 173) form additional correction possibilities.

Abstract: A projection objective has at least five lens groups (G1 to G5) and has several lens surfaces. At least two aspheric lens surfaces are arranged so as to be mutually adjacent. These mutually adjacently arranged lens surfaces are characterized as a double asphere. This at least one double asphere (21) is mounted at a minimum distance from an image plane (0′) which is greater than the maximum lens diameter (D2) of the objective.

Abstract: An objective comprising axial symmetry, at least one curved mirror and at least one lens and two intermediate images. The objective includes two refractive partial objectives and one catadioptric partial objective. The objective includes a first partial objective, a first intermediate a image, a second partial objective, a second intermediate image, and a third partial objective. At least one of the partial objectives is purely refractive. One of the partial objectives is purely refractive and one is purely catoptric.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical unit having elements (6, 7) which are juxtaposed without an air gap therebetween. The two elements (6, 7) are joined by wringing the same to each other. At least one element (7) is of crystalline material and has an amorphous inorganic layer (70) on the side thereof facing toward the other element (6). The invention is also directed to a method of preparing an element made of crystalline material, such as a fluoride, as well as a method for making a thin optical element of the crystalline material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical system for the vacuum ultraviolet range wherein the optical system utilizes the isotropic point at which the wavelength of the double refraction of a crystal is eliminated. The crystal is preferably of MgF2. With the optical system, a known good optical material, namely, MgF2, which is limited only by its double refraction, becomes usable for the VUV optics.

Abstract: There is provided an illumination system for scannertype microlithography along a scanning direction with a light source emitting a wavelength ≦193 nm. The illumination system includes a plurality of raster elements. The plurality of raster elements is imaged into an image plane of the illumination system to produce a plurality of images being partially superimposed on a field in the image plane. The field defines a non-rectangular intensity profile in the scanning direction.

Abstract: Projection exposure device and also projection objective with a lens arrangement which has at least one lens group of negative refractive power, this lens group comprising at least four lenses of negative refractive power, and a lens of positive refractive power being arranged after the third lens of negative refractive power in this lens group.

Abstract: A projection objective, particularly for microlithography at 248 nm or 193 nm has, after two bulges and two waists, a pronounced lens arrangement that preferably contains a further waist and the system diaphragm (AS). This is markedly set back from the negative lens group containing the second waist, and is surrounded by important correction devices. The highest numerical aperture (0.65-0.80) is attained with the smallest lens diameters and by paying heed to the further qualities required for such a microlithography projection objective.

Abstract: An aspheric reduction objective has a catadioptric partial objective (L1), an intermediate image (IMI) and a refractive partial objective (L2). The catadioptric partial objective has an assembly centered to the optical axis and this assembly includes two mutually facing concave mirrors (M1, M2). The cutouts in the mirrors (B1, B2) lead to an aperture obscuration which can be held to be very small by utilizing lenses close to the mirrors and having a high negative refractive power and aspheric lens surfaces (27, 33). The position of the entry and exit pupils can be corrected with aspherical lens surfaces (12, 48, 53) in the field lens groups. The number of spherical lenses in the refractive partial objective can be reduced with aspherical lens surfaces (66, 78) arranged symmetrically to the diaphragm plane. Neighboring aspheric lens surfaces (172, 173) form additional correction possibilities.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical unit having elements (6, 7) which are juxtaposed without an air gap therebetween. The two elements (6, 7) are joined by wringing the same to each other. At least one element (7) is of crystalline material and has an amorphous inorganic layer (70) on the side thereof facing toward the other element (6). The invention is also directed to a method of preparing an element made of crystalline material, such as a fluoride, as well as a method for making a thin optical element of the crystalline material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a large-apertured microlithography projection lens. The diaphragm error is also systematically corrected, so that the pupil plane is slightly curved and the lens can be stopped down without comprising quality. The system diaphragm of the projection lens is located in the area of the last lens cluster of positive refractive power on the image side. The telecentrics of the projection lens remain stable on the image side during stopping down.

Abstract: An optical arrangement, in particular a microlithographic projection printing installation, has in particular a slot-shaped image field or rotationally non-symmetrical illumination. An optical element (1) is therefore acted upon in a rotationally non-symmetrical manner by the radiation of the light source. A compensating light supply device (11, 14 to 19) is optically coupled via the peripheral surface (13) of the optical element (1) to the latter. It supplies compensating light (16, 12) to the optical element (1) in such a way that the temperature distribution in the optical element (1), which arises as a result of cumulative heating of the optical element (1) with projection light (2) and compensating light (12), is at least partially homogenized. In said manner image defects induced by the projection light are corrected.

Abstract: A projection exposure lens system has an object side catadioptric system, and intermediate image and a refractive lens system. The refractive lens system from its intermediate image side and in the direction of its image plane has a first lens group of positive refractive power, a second lens group of negative refractive power, a third lens group of positive refractive power, a fourth lens group of negative refractive power, and a fifth lens group of positive refractive power.

Abstract: A projection exposure lens system has an object side catadioptric system, and intermediate image and a refractive lens system. The refractive lens system from its intermediate image side and in the direction of its image plane has a first lens group of positive refractive power, a second lens group of negative refractive power, a third lens group of positive refractive power, a fourth lens group of negative refractive power, and a fifth lens group of positive refractive power.

Abstract: A polarizer suitable for transforming incident linearly polarized or circularly polarized light into exiting radially or tangentially polarized light with virtually no transmission losses has, in one of its embodiments, a plate fabricated from birefringent material on whose entrance and exit faces small zones (11, 12) with deflecting structures (8, 9) in the form of gratings or Fresnel surfaces have been created. The crystal axis (5) of said birefringent material is aligned parallel to the incident light beam. Said deflecting structures deflect light along a transmission direction (13) that is inclined with respect to said crystal axis (5), causing a phase shift between the field components of the transmitted light.

Abstract: A method is described for the production of optical components, particularly of crystalline base material, with elevated stability and an optically active three-dimensional shape, which is defined by its surfaces, of high fit accuracy, by shaping the base material into a blank with a desired three-dimensional shape, and applying a covering layer to the surface of the thus-formed three-dimensional shape and the fit accuracy is obtained by abrasion of the covering layer.

Abstract: A projection exposure system having a light source generating a pulsed light, in particular a laser 1 generating linearly polarized light, is provided with an illuminating beam path, with an illuminating device 2 and a lens system 3 as objective. A rotating element 7 changing the polarization is preferably arranged between the light source 1 and the illuminating device 2 in the illuminating beam path in such a way that the polarizing effects of the pulses cancel one another out in the illuminating device 2.

Abstract: There is provided a catadioptric projection objective that includes (a) an object plane having a rectangular object field, and (b) a beam splitter situated in a light path after the object plane, having a rectangular surface adapted to the object field and having an aspect ratio not equal to 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projection lens comprising a lens assembly that has at least one first narrowing of the group of light beams. A lens with a non-spherical surface is located in front of and/or behind the first narrowing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical unit having elements (6, 7) which are juxtaposed without an air gap therebetween. The two elements (6, 7) are joined by wringing the same to each other. At least one element (7) is of crystalline material and has an amorphous inorganic layer (70) on the side thereof facing toward the other element (6). The invention is also directed to a method of preparing an element made of crystalline material, such as a fluoride, as well as a method for making a thin optical element of the crystalline material.