Patents by Inventor Ralf Zweering

Ralf Zweering 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: 11703770
    Abstract: An arrangement of a microlithographic optical imaging device includes first and supporting structures. The first supporting structure supports an optical element of the imaging device. The first supporting structure supports the second supporting structure via supporting spring devices of a vibration decoupling device. The supporting spring devices act kinematically parallel to one another between the first and second supporting structures. Each supporting spring device defines a supporting force direction and a supporting length along the supporting force direction. The second supporting structure supports a measuring device configured to measure the position and/or orientation of the optical element in relation to a reference in at least one degree of freedom and up to all six degrees of freedom in space. A creep compensation device compensates a change in a static relative situation between the first and second supporting structures in at least one correction degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Eylem Bektas Knauf, Ulrich Schoenhoff, Marwène Nefzi, Ralf Zweering, Konrad Carl Steimer, Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan
  • Patent number: 11526089
    Abstract: An arrangement of a microlithographic optical imaging device includes first and second supporting structures. The first supporting structure supports an optical element of the imaging device. The first supporting structure supports the second supporting structure via supporting spring devices of a vibration decoupling device. The supporting spring devices act kinematically parallel to one another between the first and second supporting structures. Each of the supporting spring devices defines a supporting force direction and a supporting length along the supporting force direction. The second supporting structure supports a measuring device which measures the position and/or orientation of the at least one optical element in relation to a reference in at least one degree of freedom up to all six degrees of freedom in space. A reduction device reduces a change in a static relative situation between the first and second supporting structures in at least one correction degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Marwène Nefzi, Stefan Hembacher, Stefan Troeger, Ralf Zweering, Konrad Carl Steimer
  • Patent number: 11415895
    Abstract: An arrangement of a microlithographic optical imaging device includes first and second supporting structures. The first supporting structure supports at least one optical element of the imaging device via an active relative situation control device of a control device. The first supporting structure supports the second supporting structure via supporting spring devices of a vibration decoupling device. The supporting spring devices act kinematically parallel to one another. Each supporting spring device defines a supporting force direction and a supporting length along the supporting force direction. The second supporting structure supports a measuring device of the control device. The measuring device is connected to the relative situation control device. The measuring device outputs to the relative situation control device measurement information representative for the position and/or the orientation of the at least one optical element in relation to a reference in at least one degree of freedom in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Marwène Nefzi, Ralf Zweering, Toralf Gruner
  • Publication number: 20220107567
    Abstract: A stop, such as a numerical aperture stop, obscuration stop or false-light stop, for a lithography apparatus, includes a light-transmissive aperture and a stop element, in which or at which the aperture is provided. The stop element is opaque and fluid-permeable outside the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Benjahman Julius Modeste, Toralf Gruner, Daniel Golde, Ulrich Loering, Ralf Zweering, Stefan Xalter
  • Publication number: 20210405359
    Abstract: An arrangement of a microlithographic optical imaging device includes first and supporting structures. The first supporting structure supports an optical element of the imaging device. The first supporting structure supports the second supporting structure via supporting spring devices of a vibration decoupling device. The supporting spring devices act kinematically parallel to one another between the first and second supporting structures. Each supporting spring device defines a supporting force direction and a supporting length along the supporting force direction. The second supporting structure supports a measuring device configured to measure the position and/or orientation of the optical element in relation to a reference in at least one degree of freedom and up to all six degrees of freedom in space. A creep compensation device compensates a change in a static relative situation between the first and second supporting structures in at least one correction degree of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Eylem Bektas Knauf, Ulrich Schoenhoff, Marwène Nefzi, Ralf Zweering, Konrad Carl Steimer, Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan
  • Publication number: 20210405542
    Abstract: An arrangement of a microlithographic optical imaging device includes first and second supporting structures. The first supporting structure supports at least one optical element of the imaging device via an active relative situation control device of a control device. The first supporting structure supports the second supporting structure via supporting spring devices of a vibration decoupling device. The supporting spring devices act kinematically parallel to one another. Each supporting spring device defines a supporting force direction and a supporting length along the supporting force direction. The second supporting structure supports a measuring device of the control device. The measuring device is connected to the relative situation control device. The measuring device outputs to the relative situation control device measurement information representative for the position and/or the orientation of the at least one optical element in relation to a reference in at least one degree of freedom in space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Marwène Nefzi, Ralf Zweering, Toralf Gruner
  • Publication number: 20210405358
    Abstract: An arrangement of a microlithographic optical imaging device includes first and second supporting structures. The first supporting structure supports an optical element of the imaging device. The first supporting structure supports the second supporting structure via supporting spring devices of a vibration decoupling device. The supporting spring devices act kinematically parallel to one another between the first and second supporting structures. Each supporting spring device defines a supporting force direction and a supporting length along the supporting force direction. The second supporting structure supports a measuring device which is configured to measure the position and/or orientation of the at least one optical element in relation to a reference in at least one degree of freedom. A creep compensation device compensates a creep-induced change in a static relative situation between the first and second supporting structures in at least one correction degree of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Eylem Bektas Knauf, Ulrich Schoenhoff, Marwène Nefzi, Ralf Zweering
  • Publication number: 20210405543
    Abstract: An arrangement of a microlithographic optical imaging device includes first and second supporting structures. The first supporting structure supports an optical element of the imaging device. The first supporting structure supports the second supporting structure via supporting spring devices of a vibration decoupling device. The supporting spring devices act kinematically parallel to one another between the first and second supporting structures. Each of the supporting spring devices defines a supporting force direction and a supporting length along the supporting force direction. The second supporting structure supports a measuring device which measures the position and/or orientation of the at least one optical element in relation to a reference in at least one degree of freedom up to all six degrees of freedom in space. A reduction device reduces a change in a static relative situation between the first and second supporting structures in at least one correction degree of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Marwène Nefzi, Stefan Hembacher, Stefan Troeger, Ralf Zweering, Konrad Carl Steimer
  • Patent number: 11048177
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography includes a component and fixed to a structural part of the apparatus. The component and/or the structural part have/has a stop for bearing against a reference surface at the structural part and/or the component. The stop is movable relative to the component fixed and/or the structural part so that it can be moved away from the reference surface. A method for adjusting a component on a structural part of a projection exposure apparatus includes: securing a stop to the component or the structural part; positioning the component so that the stop comes into mechanical contact with a reference surface at the component or the structural part; fixing the component to the structural part; and moving the stop away from the reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Zweering
  • Publication number: 20200333715
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography includes a component and fixed to a structural part of the apparatus. The component and/or the structural part have/has a stop for bearing against a reference surface at the structural part and/or the component. The stop is movable relative to the component fixed and/or the structural part so that it can be moved away from the reference surface. A method for adjusting a component on a structural part of a projection exposure apparatus includes: securing a stop to the component or the structural part; positioning the component so that the stop comes into mechanical contact with a reference surface at the component or the structural part; fixing the component to the structural part; and moving the stop away from the reference surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventor: Ralf Zweering
  • Patent number: 10809636
    Abstract: An optical arrangement, in particular a lithography system, includes: a movable component, in particular a mirror; at least one actuator for moving the component; and at least one stop having a stop face for delimiting the movement of the component. The optical arrangement further includes, on a stop or on a plurality of stops, at least two stop faces for delimiting the movement of the movable component in one and the same movement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Gellrich, Ralf Zweering, Charles Seviour, Michael Erath, Jens Prochnau, Marwène Nefzi, Viktor Kulitzki, Axel Lorenz, Stefan Schaff
  • Patent number: 10761436
    Abstract: An optical arrangement, for example a lithography system, includes: a first component, in particular a carrying frame; a second component, in particular a mirror, which is movable in relation to the first component; and at least one stop with at least one stop face for limiting the movement of the second component in relation to the first component. The optical arrangement, preferably the stop, can have a fixing device for fixing the second component. The fixing device can have a fixing element that is movable in relation to the stop face of the stop. Further aspects of the device likewise relate to an optical arrangement with a fixing device or with a transport lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Zweering, Steffen Fritzsche, Hendrik Wagner, Florian Ahles, Jens Prochnau, Michael Erath, Viktor Kulitzki, Marwène Nefzi
  • Publication number: 20190339625
    Abstract: An optical arrangement, for example a lithography system, includes: a first component, in particular a carrying frame; a second component, in particular a mirror, which is movable in relation to the first component; and at least one stop with at least one stop face for limiting the movement of the second component in relation to the first component. The optical arrangement, preferably the stop, can have a fixing device for fixing the second component. The fixing device can have a fixing element that is movable in relation to the stop face of the stop. Further aspects of the device likewise relate to an optical arrangement with a fixing device or with a transport lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Ralf Zweering, Steffen Fritzsche, Hendrik Wagner, Florian Ahles, Jens Prochnau, Michael Erath, Viktor Kulitzki, Marwène Nefzi
  • Publication number: 20190339626
    Abstract: An optical arrangement, in particular a lithography system, includes: a movable component, in particular a mirror; at least one actuator for moving the component; and at least one stop having a stop face for delimiting the movement of the component. The optical arrangement further includes, on a stop or on a plurality of stops, at least two stop faces for delimiting the movement of the movable component in one and the same movement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Bernhard Gellrich, Ralf Zweering, Charles Seviour, Michael Erath, Jens Prochnau, Marwène Nefzi, Viktor Kulitzki, Axel Lorenz, Stefan Schaff
  • Publication number: 20190004431
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical device for a lithography system, including an optical element, a supporting frame supporting the optical element, a sensor frame mechanically decoupled from the supporting frame, wherein a gap is provided between the supporting frame and the sensor frame, and a sensor assembly designed to determine a width of the gap in a contactless manner. The sensor assembly has a contact element and a contact surface. The contact element is designed to contact the contact surface to limit relative motion of the supporting frame relative to the sensor frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Ralf Zweering
  • Patent number: 10168619
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical device for a lithography system, including an optical element, a supporting frame supporting the optical element, a sensor frame mechanically decoupled from the supporting frame, wherein a gap is provided between the supporting frame and the sensor frame, and a sensor assembly designed to determine a width of the gap in a contactless manner. The sensor assembly has a contact element and a contact surface. The contact element is designed to contact the contact surface to limit relative motion of the supporting frame relative to the sensor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Zweering