Abstract: An optical imaging device, in particular for use in microlithography, includes a mask device for receiving a mask having a projection pattern, a projection device with an optical element group, a substrate device for receiving a substrate and an immersion zone. The optical element group is adapted to project the projection pattern onto the substrate and includes a plurality of optical elements with an immersion element to which the substrate is at least temporarily located adjacent to during operation. During operation, the immersion zone is located between the immersion element and the substrate and is at least temporarily filled with an immersion medium. A thermal attenuation device is provided, the thermal attenuation device being adapted to reduce fluctuations within the temperature distribution of the immersion element induced by the immersion medium.

Abstract: An imaging device in a projection exposure machine for microlithography has at least one optical element and at least one manipulator, having a linear drive, for manipulating the position of the optical element. The linear drive has a driven subregion and a nondriven subregion, which are movable relative to one another in the direction of a movement axis. The subregions are interconnected at least temporarily via functional elements with an active axis and via functional elements with an active direction at least approximately parallel to the movement axis.

Abstract: An imaging device in a projection exposure machine for microlithography includes at least one optical element and at least one manipulator, a linear drive for manipulating the position of the optical element. The linear drive has at least one moving element, the moving element having a shearing part and a lifting part. The shearing part is arranged to move the optical element and the lifting part is arranged to move the shearing part. The linear drive has a supporting element which is in contact with and prevents movement of the optical element while the shearing part is moved by the lifting part.

Abstract: In an apparatus for mounting two or more optical elements that are each held in an individual mount or in a support structure, said optical elements are mounted in a common mount. The relative positioning of the optical elements (10, 11) in the common mount (18) can be set.

Abstract: A arrangement serves for the adjustment of an optical element (1), in particular of a lens in an optical system, in particular in a projection lens system for semiconductor lithography. The optical element (1) is mounted in a mount (3) by means of a number of bearing feet (2) distributed over the circumference of the optical element (1) and is selectively deformable by actuators (5). At least some of the bearing feet (2) are engaged by the actuators (5) in a region of the respective bearing foot (2) in such a way that the respective bearing foot (2) can be displaced in the direction of the optical axis (7).

Abstract: A arrangement serves for the adjustment of an optical element (1), in particular of a lens in an optical system, in particular in a projection lens system for semiconductor lithography. The optical element (1) is mounted in a mount (3) by means of a number of bearing feet (2) distributed over the circumference of the optical element (1) and is selectively deformable by actuators (5). At least some of the bearing feet (2) are engaged by the actuators (5) in a region of the respective bearing foot (2) in such a way that the respective bearing foot (2) can be displaced in the direction of the optical axis (7).

Abstract: A projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a manipulator for reducing rotationally asymmetric image errors. The manipulator in turn contains a lens, an optical element and an interspace formed between the lens and the optical element, which can be filled with a liquid. At least one actuator acting exclusively on the lens is furthermore provided, which can generate a rotationally asymmetric deformation of the lens.

Abstract: An imaging device in a projection exposure machine for microlithography has at least one optical element and at least one manipulator, having a linear drive, for manipulating the position of the optical element. The linear drive has a driven subregion and a nondriven subregion, which are movable relative to one another in the direction of a movement axis. The subregions are interconnected at least temporarily via functional elements with an active axis and via functional elements with an active direction at least approximately parallel to the movement axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connection of an optical element to a mount structure, whereby in a first step the optical element is connected to the mount structure and in a second step the optical element is welded to the mount structure in the region of the connection.

Abstract: A catadioptric lens with optical elements, which are arranged along an optical axis and with at least one concave mirror located in the vicinity of a pupillar surface of the projection lens. The concave mirror is sub-divided into a number of annular or honeycomb mirror segments, which can be displaced independently in relation to one another with the aid of piezoelectric drive elements. The mirror can be used as a phase-shifting pupillar filter, whereby the filtration function can be adjusted by the relative displacement of the mirror elements in relation to one another.

Abstract: An optical measuring system is provided with a measuring machine that has at least one measuring element for determining locations and at least one measuring element for determining angles. At least one common reference surface is provided for the location-determining measuring element and the angle-determining measuring element.

Abstract: Arrangements of a first body and a second body connected to the first body, as well as related systems and methods, are disclosed. The arrangements, systems and methods can be used, for example, with optical devices, such as in the field of microlithography systems used to manufacture of microelectronic devices.

Abstract: A facet mirror (10) is provided with a number of mirror facets (11), in which the mirror facets (11) respectively have a spherical or conical facet body (17) with a reflecting surface (12). The side of the facet body (17) averted from the reflecting surface (12) is mounted in a bearing device (15).

Abstract: A catadioptric lens with optical elements, which are arranged along an optical axis and with at least one concave mirror located in the vicinity of a pupillar surface of the projection lens. The concave mirror is sub-divided into a number of annular or honeycomb mirror segments, which can be displaced independently in relation to one another with the aid of piezoelectric drive elements. The mirror can be used as a phase-shifting pupillar filter, whereby the filtration function can be adjusted by the relative displacement of the mirror elements in relation to one another.

Abstract: There is provided a support structure for temporarily supporting a substrate in a support di-reaction during one of treatment and handling of the substrate comprising a base structure and at least one layer connected to the base structure. The at least one layer defines at least one protrusion of the support structure, the at least one protrusion being adapted to contact the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support structure. The at least one layer comprises a wear resistant material.

Abstract: An imaging device in a projection exposure machine for microlithography has at least one optical element and at least one manipulator, having a linear drive, for manipulating the position of the optical element. The linear drive has a driven subregion and a nondriven subregion, which are movable relative to one another in the direction of a movement axis. The subregions are interconnected at least temporarily via functional elements with an active axis and via functional elements with an active direction at least approximately parallel to the movement axis.

Abstract: A catadioptric lens with optical elements, which are arranged along an optical axis and with at least one concave mirror located in the vicinity of a pupillar surface of the projection lens. The concave mirror is sub-divided into a number of annular or honeycomb mirror segments, which can be displaced independently in relation to one another with the aid of piezoelectric drive elements. The mirror can be used as a phase-shifting pupillar filter, whereby the filtration function can be adjusted by the relative displacement of the mirror elements in relation to one another.

Abstract: In a holding and positioning apparatus for an optical element, the optical element is mounted in a mounting ring and the mounting ring is mounted via at least one manipulator unit. The manipulator unit has a linear actuating element. The manipulator unit has a manipulator head, a movable manipulator part and a manipulator foot, the manipulator head being connected to the movable manipulator part via a solid body joint. The movable manipulator part is connected to the manipulator foot via an actuator and at least one solid body joint, the linear actuating element being coupled to the manipulator foot and the actuator.

Abstract: In an apparatus for positioning an optical element in a structure, particularly in an objective housing of a projection objective for microlithography, the optical element is connected to the structure via fastening elements. The position of the optical element is set by means of adjusting fasteners. The fastening elements are arranged in such a way and the adjusting fasteners can be actuated in such a way that the optical element can be tilted about three mutually independent axes and can additionally be displaced in a translatory fashion in one axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connection of an optical element to a mount structure, whereby in a first step the optical element is connected to the mount structure and in a second step the optical element is welded to the mount structure in the region of the connection.