Patents by Inventor Oswald Gromer

Oswald Gromer 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).

  • Publication number: 20190129318
    Abstract: A projection exposure system (10) includes: a mask holding device (14), a substrate holding device (36), projection optics (26) imaging the mask structures (20) onto the substrate (30) during an exposure process, and a measurement structure (48) disposed in a defined position with respect to a reference element (16) of the projection exposure system, which defined position is mechanically uncoupled from the position of the mask holding device. The projection exposure system also includes a detector (52) arranged to record an image of the measurement structure imaged by the projection optics. During operation of the system, the imaging of the mask structures and of the measurement structure takes place at the same time by the projection optics. An evaluation device (54) establishes a lateral position of the image of the measurement structure in the area of the detector during the exposure process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Rolf Freimann, Paul Kaufmann, Bernhard Geuppert
  • Patent number: 10114293
    Abstract: An illumination system and a projection objective of a mask inspection apparatus are provided. During operation of the mask inspection apparatus, the illumination system illuminates a mask with an illumination bundle of rays having a centroid ray that has a direction dependent on the location of the incidence of the illumination bundle of rays on the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Feldmann, Erik Matthias Sohmen, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Ulrich Mueller, Michael Layh, Markus Schwab
  • Patent number: 10042271
    Abstract: A projection exposure system (10) for microlithography which includes: a mask holding device (14) holding a mask (18) with mask structures (20) disposed on the mask, a substrate holding device (36) holding a substrate (30), projection optics (26) imaging the mask structures (20) onto the substrate (30) during an exposure process, and a measurement structure (48) disposed in a defined position with respect to a reference element (16) of the projection exposure system (10), which defined position is mechanically uncoupled from the position of the mask holding to device (14). The projection exposure system (10) also includes a detector (52) arranged to record an image of the measurement structure (48) imaged by the projection optics (26). The projection exposure system (10) is configured such that during operation of the projection exposure system (10) the imaging of the mask structures (20) and the imaging of the measurement structure (48) take place at the same time by the projection optics (26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Rolf Freimann, Paul Kaufmann, Bernhard Geuppert
  • Publication number: 20180024445
    Abstract: A projection exposure system (10) for microlithography which includes: a mask holding device (14) holding a mask (18) with mask structures (20) disposed on the mask, a substrate holding device (36) holding a substrate (30), projection optics (26) imaging the mask structures (20) onto the substrate (30) during an exposure process, and a measurement structure (48) disposed in a defined position with respect to a reference element (16) of the projection exposure system (10), which defined position is mechanically uncoupled from the position of the mask holding to device (14). The projection exposure system (10) also includes a detector (52) arranged to record an image of the measurement structure (48) imaged by the projection optics (26). The projection exposure system (10) is configured such that during operation of the projection exposure system (10) the imaging of the mask structures (20) and the imaging of the measurement structure (48) take place at the same time by the projection optics (26.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Rolf Freimann, Paul Kaufmann, Bernhard Geuppert
  • Patent number: 9696639
    Abstract: A projection exposure system (10) for microlithography which includes: a mask holding device (14) holding a mask (18) with mask structures (20) disposed on the mask, a substrate holding device (36) holding a substrate (30), projection optics (26) imaging the mask structures (20) onto the substrate (30) during an exposure process, and a measurement structure (48) disposed in a defined position with respect to a reference element (16) of the projection exposure system (10), which defined position is mechanically uncoupled from the position of the mask holding device (14). The projection exposure system (10) also includes a detector (52) arranged to record an image of the measurement structure (48) imaged by the projection optics (26). The projection exposure system (10) is configured such that during operation of the projection exposure system (10) the imaging of the mask structures (20) and the imaging of the measurement structure (48) take place at the same time by the projection optics (26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Rolf Freimann, Paul Kaufmann, Bernhard Geuppert
  • Publication number: 20150212431
    Abstract: A projection exposure system (10) for microlithography which includes: a mask holding device (14) holding a mask (18) with mask structures (20) disposed on the mask, a substrate holding device (36) holding a substrate (30), projection optics (26) imaging the mask structures (20) onto the substrate (30) during an exposure process, and a measurement structure (48) disposed in a defined position with respect to a reference element (16) of the projection exposure system (10), which defined position is mechanically uncoupled from the position of the mask holding device (14). The projection exposure system (10) also includes a detector (52) arranged to record an image of the measurement structure (48) imaged by the projection optics (26). The projection exposure system (10) is configured such that during operation of the projection exposure system (10) the imaging of the mask structures (20) and the imaging of the measurement structure (48) take place at the same time by the projection optics (26.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Rolf Freimann, Paul Kaufmann, Bernhard Geuppert
  • Patent number: 9001304
    Abstract: A projection exposure system (10) for microlithography which includes: a mask holding device (14) holding a mask (18) with mask structures (20) disposed on the mask, a substrate holding device (36) holding a substrate (30), projection optics (26) imaging the mask structures (20) onto the substrate (30) during an exposure process, and a measurement structure (48) disposed in a defined position with respect to a reference element (16) of the projection exposure system (10), which defined position is mechanically uncoupled from the position of the mask holding device (14). The projection exposure system (10) also includes a detector (52) arranged to record an image of the measurement structure (48) imaged by the projection optics (26). The projection exposure system (10) is configured such that during operation of the projection exposure system (10) the imaging of the mask structures (20) and the imaging of the measurement structure (48) take place at the same time by the projection optics (26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Rolf Freimann, Paul Kaufmann, Bernhard Geuppert
  • Publication number: 20130038850
    Abstract: An illumination system and a projection objective of a mask inspection apparatus are provided. During operation of the mask inspection apparatus, the illumination system illuminates a mask with an illumination bundle of rays having a centroid ray that has a direction dependent on the location of the incidence of the illumination bundle of rays on the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Heiko Feldmann, Erik Matthias Sohmen, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Ulrich Mueller, Michael Layh, Markus Schwab
  • Publication number: 20120021371
    Abstract: A dental cleaning system for providing a liquid jet for a mouth rinse includes a nozzle member, a nozzle attachment coupled to the nozzle member to define an axially extending chamber, a liquid duct configured to supply pressurized liquid to the chamber, a pressure piece disposed within the chamber, and a nozzle outlet extending out of the chamber and configured to discharge a cleaning jet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Oswald Gromer, Andreas Kramp, Michael Sauer, Michael Stolper, Norbert Schaefer, Karl Herzog
  • Patent number: 8052627
    Abstract: A dental cleaning system for providing a liquid jet for a mouth rinse includes a nozzle member, a nozzle attachment coupled to the nozzle member to define an axially extending chamber, a liquid duct configured to supply pressurized liquid to the chamber, a pressure piece disposed within the chamber, and a nozzle outlet extending out of the chamber and configured to discharge a cleaning jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Oswald Gromer, Andreas Kramp, Michael Sauer, Michael Stolper, Norbert Schaefer, Karl Herzog
  • Publication number: 20110013171
    Abstract: A projection exposure system (10) for microlithography which includes: a mask holding device (14) holding a mask (18) with mask structures (20) disposed on the mask, a substrate holding device (36) holding a substrate (30), projection optics (26) imaging the mask structures (20) onto the substrate (30) during an exposure process, and a measurement structure (48) disposed in a defined position with respect to a reference element (16) of the projection exposure system (10), which defined position is mechanically uncoupled from the position of the mask holding device (14). The projection exposure system (10) also includes a detector (52) arranged to record an image of the measurement structure (48) imaged by the projection optics (26). The projection exposure system (10) is configured such that during operation of the projection exposure system (10) the imaging of the mask structures (20) and the imaging of the measurement structure (48) take place at the same time by the projection optics (26.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Joachim Stuehler, Oswald Gromer, Rolf Freimann, Paul Kaufmann, Bernhard Geuppert
  • Patent number: 7755748
    Abstract: A scattered light measurement device includes an illumination mask providing measuring radiation on an entrance side (1a) of a test component (1) and a detection part (3-6) for detection of light scattered by the test component and disposed on an exit side (1b) of the test component. The illumination mask includes at least one scattered light measurement structure, wherein the scattered light measurement structure has a scattered light marker zone and wherein the scattered light marker zone has a rotationally non-symmetric shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Michael Arnz, Oswald Gromer, Gerd Klose, Joachim Stuehler, Matthias Manger
  • Publication number: 20080285018
    Abstract: An illumination mask (10a) for a device for the range-resolved determination of scattered light, having one or more scattered-light measuring structures (11a) which respectively include an inner dark-field zone which defines a minimum scattering range, to an associated image-field mask and a corresponding device is provided. Also provided is an associated operating method and a microlithography projection-exposure system having such a device. The scattered-lighter measuring structure in the illumination mask has a scattered-light marker zone (20a) in the form of a bright-field zone, which on the one hand borders the inner dark-field zone and on the other hand borders an outer dark-field zone, which defines a maximum scattering range. The device may optionally be designed for the multi-channel measuring of scattered light by using a suitable image-field mask and also for multi-channel wavefront measurement, and the detection part may contain an immersion medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Michael Arnz, Oswald Gromer, Gerd Klose, Joachim Stuehler, Matthias Manger
  • Patent number: 7408631
    Abstract: An illumination mask (10a) for a device for the range-resolved determination of scattered light, having one or more scattered-light measuring structures (11a) which respectively include an inner dark-field zone which defines a minimum scattering range, to an associated image-field mask and a corresponding device is provided. Also provided is an associated operating method and a microlithography projection-exposure system having such a device. The scattered-lighter measuring structure in the illumination mask has a scattered-light marker zone (20a) in the form of a bright-field zone, which on the one hand borders the inner dark-field zone and on the other hand borders an outer dark-field zone, which defines a maximum scattering range. The device may optionally be designed for the multi-channel measuring of scattered light by using a suitable image-field mask and also for multi-channel wavefront measurement, and the detection part may contain an immersion medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Michael Arnz, Oswald Gromer, Gerd Klose, Joachim Stuehler, Matthias Manger
  • Publication number: 20060097084
    Abstract: A dental cleaning system for providing a liquid jet for a mouth rinse includes a nozzle member, a nozzle attachment coupled to the nozzle member to define an axially extending chamber, a liquid duct configured to supply pressurized liquid to the chamber, a pressure piece disposed within the chamber, and a nozzle outlet extending out of the chamber and configured to discharge a cleaning jet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Oswald Gromer, Andreas Kramp, Michael Sauer, Michael Stolper, Norbert Schaefer, Karl Herzog
  • Publication number: 20050264819
    Abstract: An illumination mask (10a) for a device for the range-resolved determination of scattered light, having one or more scattered-light measuring structures (11a) which respectively include an inner dark-field zone which defines a minimum scattering range, to an associated image-field mask and a corresponding device is provided. Also provided is an associated operating method and a microlithography projection-exposure system having such a device. The scattered-lighter measuring structure in the illumination mask has a scattered-light marker zone (20a) in the form of a bright-field zone, which on the one hand borders the inner dark-field zone and on the other hand borders an outer dark-field zone, which defines a maximum scattering range. The device may optionally be designed for the multi-channel measuring of scattered light by using a suitable image-field mask and also for multi-channel wavefront measurement, and the detection part may contain an immersion medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Arnz, Oswald Gromer, Gerd Klose, Joachim Stuehler, Matthias Manger