Patents by Inventor Ralf Scharnweber

Ralf Scharnweber 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).

  • Patent number: 9946161
    Abstract: An optical system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus and a microlithographic exposure method are disclosed. In an embodiment an optical system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes at least one mirror arrangement having a plurality of mirror elements which are displaceable independently of each other for altering an angular distribution of the light reflected by the mirror arrangement. The optical system also includes at least one manipulator downstream of the mirror arrangement in the light propagation direction. The manipulator has a raster arrangement of manipulator elements so that light incident on the manipulator during operation of the optical system is influenced differently in its polarization state and/or in its intensity in dependence on the incidence location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Saenger, Ralf Scharnweber, Olaf Dittmann, Toralf Gruner, Gundula Weiss, Andras G. Major, Martin Vogt, Markus Deguenther, Johannes Wangler, Thomas Korb, Severin Waldis
  • Patent number: 9575414
    Abstract: Illumination systems for microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related systems, components and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an illumination system includes one or more scattering structures and an optical integrator that produces a plurality of secondary light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Wangler, Heiko Siekmann, Kenneth Weible, Ralf Scharnweber, Manfred Maul, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh, Axel Scholz, Uwe Spengler, Reinhard Voelkel
  • Publication number: 20160077446
    Abstract: Illumination systems for microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related systems, components and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an illumination system includes one or more scattering structures and an optical integrator that produces a plurality of secondary light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Johannes Wangler, Heiko Siekmann, Kenneth Weible, Ralf Scharnweber, Manfred Maul, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh, Axel Scholz, Uwe Spengler, Reinhard Voelkel
  • Patent number: 9217930
    Abstract: Illumination systems for microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related systems, components and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an illumination system includes one or more scattering structures and an optical integrator that produces a plurality of secondary light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Wangler, Heiko Siekmann, Kenneth Weible, Ralf Scharnweber, Manfred Maul, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh, Axel Scholz, Uwe Spengler, Reinhard Voelkel
  • Patent number: 8634060
    Abstract: In a method for multiply exposing at least one substrate coated with a photosensitive layer, a first exposure is carried out in accordance with a first set of exposure parameters on a first projection system (17), and a second exposure is carried out in accordance with a second set of exposure parameters on a second projection system (18) spatially separated from the first projection system (17). The projection systems are integrated in a common projection exposure installation (1). The first exposure can be carried out, for example, with an amplitude mask (6), the second exposure with a phase mask (9). The use of a number of projection systems enables multiple exposure that is performed in parallel and is therefore timesaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Scharnweber
  • Patent number: 8587767
    Abstract: Illumination optics for EUV microlithography guide an illumination light bundle from a radiation source to an object field with an extension ratio between a longer field dimension and a shorter field dimension, where the ratio is considerably greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Damian Fiolka, Berndt Warm, Christian Steigerwald, Martin Endres, Ralf Stuetzle, Jens Ossmann, Ralf Scharnweber, Markus Hauf, Udo Dinger, Severin Waldis, Marc Kirch, Joachim Hartjes
  • Patent number: 8520307
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical integrator configured to produce a plurality of secondary light sources in an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. The disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing an array of elongated microlenses for use in such an illumination system. Arrays of elongated microlenses are often contained in optical integrators or scattering plates of such illumination systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Wolf, Heiko Siekmann, Eva Kalchbrenner, Siegfried Rennon, Johannes Wangler, Andre Bresan, Michael Gerhard, Nils Haverkamp, Axel Scholz, Ralf Scharnweber, Michael Layh, Stefan Burkart
  • Publication number: 20130148092
    Abstract: Illumination systems for microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related systems, components and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an illumination system includes one or more scattering structures and an optical integrator that produces a plurality of secondary light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Wangler, Heiko Siekmann, Kenneth Weible, Ralf Scharnweber, Manfred Maul, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh, Axel Scholz, Uwe Spengler, Reinhard Voelkel
  • Patent number: 8395756
    Abstract: Illumination systems for microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related systems, components and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an illumination system includes one or more scattering structures and an optical integrator that produces a plurality of secondary light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Wangler, Heiko Siekmann, Kenneth Weible, Ralf Scharnweber, Manfred Maul, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh, Axel Scholz, Uwe Spengler, Reinhard Voelkel
  • Publication number: 20110083542
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical integrator configured to produce a plurality of secondary light sources in an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. The disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing an array of elongated microlenses for use in such an illumination system. Arrays of elongated microlenses are often contained in optical integrators or scattering plates of such illumination systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Wolf, Heiko Siekmann, Eva Kalchbrenner, Siegfried Rennon, Johannes Wangler, Andre Bresan, Michael Gerhard, Nils Haverkamp, Axel Scholz, Ralf Scharnweber, Michael Layh, Stefan Burkart
  • Publication number: 20110063598
    Abstract: An illumination optics for EUV microlithography guides an illumination light bundle from a radiation source to an object field with an extension ratio between a longer field dimension and a shorter field dimension, where the ratio is considerably greater than 1. A field facet mirror has a plurality of field facets that set defined illumination conditions in the object field. A following optics downstream of the field facet mirror transmits the illumination light into the object field. The following optics includes a pupil facet mirror with a plurality of pupil facets. The field facets are in each case individually allocated to the pupil facets so that portions of the illumination light bundle impinging upon in each case one of the field facets are guided on to the object field via the associated pupil facet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Damian Fiolka, Berndt Warm, Christian Steigerwald, Martin Endres, Ralf Stuetzle, Jens Ossmann, Ralf Scharnweber, Markus Hauf, Udo Dinger, Severin Waldis, Marc Kirch, Joachim Hartjes
  • Patent number: 7880969
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical integrator configured to produce a plurality of secondary light sources in an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. The disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing an array of elongated microlenses for use in such an illumination system. Arrays of elongated microlenses are often contained in optical integrators or scattering plates of such illumination systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Oliver Wolf, Heiko Siekmann, Eva Kalchbrenner, Siegfried Rennon, Johannes Wangler, Andre Bresan, Michael Gerhard, Nils Haverkamp, Axel Scholz, Ralf Scharnweber, Michael Layh, Stefan Burkart
  • Patent number: 7875418
    Abstract: In a method for multiply exposing at least one substrate coated with a photosensitive layer, a first exposure is carried out in accordance with a first set of exposure parameters on a first projection system, and a second exposure is carried out in accordance with a second set of exposure parameters on a second projection system spatially separated from the first projection system. The projection systems are integrated in a common projection exposure installation. The first exposure can be carried out, for example, with an amplitude mask, the second exposure with a phase mask. The use of a number of projection systems enables multiple exposure that is performed in parallel and is therefore timesaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventor: Ralf Scharnweber
  • Publication number: 20100173250
    Abstract: In a method for multiply exposing at least one substrate coated with a photosensitive layer, a first exposure is carried out in accordance with a first set of exposure parameters on a first projection system (17), and a second exposure is carried out in accordance with a second set of exposure parameters on a second projection system (18) spatially separated from the first projection system (17). The projection systems are integrated in a common projection exposure installation (1). The first exposure can be carried out, for example, with an amplitude mask (6), the second exposure with a phase mask (9). The use of a number of projection systems enables multiple exposure that is performed in parallel and is therefore timesaving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventor: Ralf Scharnweber
  • Patent number: 7561253
    Abstract: In a method for multiply exposing at least one substrate coated with a photosensitive layer, a first exposure is carried out in accordance with a first set of exposure parameters on a first projection system (17), and a second exposure is carried out in accordance with a second set of exposure parameters on a second projection system (18) spatially separated from the first projection system (17). The projection systems are integrated in a common projection exposure installation (1). The first exposure can be carried out, for example, with an amplitude mask (6), the second exposure with a phase mask (9). The use of a number of projection systems enables multiple exposure that is performed in parallel and is therefore timesaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventor: Ralf Scharnweber
  • Publication number: 20090021839
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical integrator configured to produce a plurality of secondary light sources in an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. The disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing an array of elongated microlenses for use in such an illumination system. Arrays of elongated microlenses are often contained in optical integrators or scattering plates of such illumination systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Oliver Wolf, Heiko Siekmann, Eva Kalchbrenner, Siegfried Rennon, Johannes Wangler, Andre Bresan, Michael Gerhard, Nils Haverkamp, Axel Scholz, Ralf Scharnweber, Michael Layh, Stefan Burkart
  • Publication number: 20090021716
    Abstract: Illumination systems for microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related systems, components and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an illumination system includes one or more scattering structures and an optical integrator that produces a plurality of secondary light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Johannes Wangler, Heiko Siekmann, Kenneth Weible, Ralf Scharnweber, Manfred Maul, Markus Deguenther, Michael Layh, Axel Scholz, Uwe Spengler, Reinhard Voelkel
  • Publication number: 20080311526
    Abstract: In a method for multiply exposing at least one substrate coated with a photosensitive layer, a first exposure is carried out in accordance with a first set of exposure parameters on a first projection system, and a second exposure is carried out in accordance with a second set of exposure parameters on a second projection system spatially separated from the first projection system. The projection systems are integrated in a common projection exposure installation. The first exposure can be carried out, for example, with an amplitude mask, the second exposure with a phase mask. The use of a number of projection systems enables multiple exposure that is performed in parallel and is therefore timesaving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventor: Ralf Scharnweber
  • Publication number: 20060055909
    Abstract: An illumination system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus has a first polarization manipulator, a second polarization manipulator and at least one optical element located between these manipulators. The polarization manipulators ensure that the direction of the electric field vector of a light ray varies in time between the polarization manipulators, whereas the polarization state is fixed outside the polarization manipulators. This prevents high energy light from inducing birefringence in optical elements arranged between the two polarization manipulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Damian Fiolka, Ralf Lindner, Ralf Scharnweber
  • Publication number: 20050213070
    Abstract: In a method for multiply exposing at least one substrate coated with a photosensitive layer, a first exposure is carried out in accordance with a first set of exposure parameters on a first projection system (17), and a second exposure is carried out in accordance with a second set of exposure parameters on a second projection system (18) spatially separated from the first projection system (17). The projection systems are integrated in a common projection exposure installation (1). The first exposure can be carried out, for example, with an amplitude mask (6), the second exposure with a phase mask (9). The use of a number of projection systems enables multiple exposure that is performed in parallel and is therefore timesaving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventor: Ralf Scharnweber