Abstract: A reflective optical system for a photolithography scanner field projector is described. In one example, the optical projection system has at least eight reflecting surfaces for imaging a reflection of a photolithography mask onto a wafer and the system has a numerical aperture of at least 0.5.

Abstract: There is provided an EUV optical projection system. The system includes a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, a fourth mirror, a fifth mirror, and a sixth mirror situated in an optical path from an object plane to an image plane, for imaging an object in said object plane into an image in said image plane. The image has a width W and a secant length SL, and the width W is greater than about 2 mm.

Abstract: An EUV optical projection system includes at least six reflecting surfaces for imaging an object (OB) on an image (IM). The system is preferably configured to form an intermediate image (IMI) along an optical path from the object (OB) to the image (IM) between a secondary mirror (M2) and a tertiary mirror (M3), such that a primary mirror (M1) and the secondary mirror (M2) form a first optical group (G1) and the tertiary mirror (M3), a fourth mirror (M4), a fifth mirror (M5) and a sixth mirror (M6) form a second optical group (G2). The system also preferably includes an aperture stop (APE) located along the optical path from the object (OB) to the image (IM) between the primary mirror (M1) and the secondary mirror (M2). The secondary mirror (M2) is preferably concave, and the tertiary mirror (M3) is preferably convex. Each of the six reflecting surfaces preferably receives a chief ray (CR) from a central field point at an incidence angle of less than substantially 15°.

Abstract: A photolithography reduction projection catadioptric objective includes a first optical group including an even number of at least four mirrors, and a second at least substantially dioptric optical group more imageward than the first optical group including a number of lenses for providing image reduction. The first optical group provides compensative axial colour correction for the second optical group.

Abstract: Refractive projection objective with a numerical aperture greater than 0.7, consisting of a first convexity, a second convexity, and a waist arranged between the two convexities. The first convexity has a maximum diameter denoted by D1, and the second convexity has a maximum diameter denoted by D2, and 0.8<D1/D2<1.1.

Abstract: There is provided an EUV optical projection system. The system includes a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, a fourth mirror, a fifth mirror, and a sixth mirror situated in an optical path from an object plane to an image plane, for imaging an object in said object plane into an image in said image plane. The image has a width W and a secant length SL, and the width W is greater than about 2 mm.

Abstract: A photolithographic reduction projection catadioptric objective includes a first optical group having an even number of at least four mirrors and having a positive overall magnigying power, and a second substantially refractive optical group more image forward than the first optical group having a number of lenses. The second optical group has a negative overall magnifying power for providing image reduction. The first optical group provides compensative aberrative correction for the second optical group. The objective forms an image with a numerical aperture of at least substantially 0.65, and preferably greater than 0.70 or still more preferably greater than 0.75.

Abstract: A photolithographic reduction projection catadioptric objective includes a first optical group G1 including an even number of at least four mirrors M1–M6; and a second at least substantially dioptric optical group G2 imageward than the first optical group G1 including a number of lenses E4–E13. The first optical group G1 provides compensative axial aberrative correction for the second optical group G2 which forms an image with a numerical aperture of at least substantially 0.65, and preferably at least 0.70 or 0.75. Six mirror examples are shown.

Abstract: A photolithographic reduction projection catadioptric objective includes a first optical group having an even number of at least four mirrors and having a positive overall magnifying power, and a second substantially refractive optical group more image forward than the first optical group having a number of lenses. The second optical group has a negative overall magnifying power for providing image reduction. The first optical group provides compensative aberrative correction for the second optical group. The objective forms an image with a numerical aperture of at least substantially 0.65, and preferably greater than 0.70 or still more preferably greater than 0.75.

Abstract: An EUV optical projection system includes at least six mirrors (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6) for imaging an object (OB) to an image (IM). At least one mirror pair is preferably configured as an at least phase compensating mirror pair. The system is preferably configured to form an intermediate image (IMI) along an optical path from the object (OB) to the image (IM) between a second mirror (M2) and a third mirror (M3), such that a first mirror (M1) and the second mirror (M2) form a first optical group (G1) and the third mirror (M3), a fourth mirror (M4), a fifth mirror (M5) and a sixth mirror (M6) form a second optical group (G1). The system also preferably includes an aperture stop (APE) located along the optical path from the object (OB) to the image (IM) between the first mirror (M1) and the second mirror (M2). The second mirror (M2) is preferably convex, and the third mirror (M3) is preferably concave. The system preferably forms an image (IM) with a numerical aperture greater than 0.18.

Abstract: The invention features a volumetric display system. A light beam representing an image is provided from a stationary source. A projection screen is rotated, relative to the stationary source, about a rotation axis. The light beam is projected onto the projection screen at a non-normal angle of incidence. The light beam is manipulated to reduce distortion in the image caused by projection of the light beam onto the projection screen.

Abstract: Refractive projection objective with a numerical aperture greater than 0.7, consisting of a first convexity, a second convexity, and a waist arranged between the two convexities. The first convexity has a maximum diameter denoted by D1, and the second convexity has a maximum diameter denoted by D2, and 0.8<D1/D2<1.1.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a projection objective is provided and includes at least two non-planar (curved) mirrors, wherein an axial distance between a next to last non-planar mirror and a last non-planar mirror, as defined along a light path, is greater than an axial distance between the last non-planar mirror and a first refracting surface of lenses following in the light path. In one exemplary embodiment, the first refracting surface is associated with a single pass type lens. The present objectives form images with numerical apertures of at least about 0.80 or higher, e.g., 0.95. Preferably, the objective does not include folding mirrors and there is no intermediate image between the two mirrors, as well as the pupil of the objective being free of obscuration.

Abstract: An EUV optical projection system includes at least six mirrors (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6) for imaging an object (OB) to an image (IM). At least one mirror pair is preferably configured as an at least phase compensating mirror pair. The system is preferably configured to form an intermediate image (IMI) along an optical path from the object (OB) to the image (IM) between a second mirror (M2) and a third mirror (M3), such that a first mirror (M1) and the second mirror (M2) form a first optical group (G1) and the third mirror (M3), a fourth mirror (M4), a fifth mirror (M5) and a sixth mirror (M6) form a second optical group (G1). The system also preferably includes an aperture stop (APE) located along the optical path from the object (OB) to the image (IM) between the first mirror (M1) and the second mirror (M2). The second mirror (M2) is preferably convex, and the third mirror (M3) is preferably concave. The system preferably forms an image (IM) with a numerical aperture greater than 0.18.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a projection objective is provided and includes at least two non-planar (curved) mirrors, wherein an axial distance between a next to last non-planar mirror and a last non-planar mirror, as defined along a light path, is greater than an axial distance between the last non-planar mirror and a first refracting surface of lenses following in the light path. In one exemplary embodiment, the first refracting surface is associated with a single pass type lens. The present objectives form images with numerical apertures of at least about 0.80 or higher, e.g., 0.95. Preferably, the objective does not include folding mirrors and there is no intermediate image between the two mirrors, as well as the pupil of the objective being free of obscuration.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a projection objective is provided and includes at least two non-planar (curved) mirrors, wherein an axial distance between a next to last non-planar mirror and a last non-planar mirror, as defined along a light path, is greater than an axial distance between the last non-planar mirror and a first refracting surface of lenses following in the light path. In one exemplary embodiment, the first refracting surface is associated with a single pass type lens. The present objectives form images with numerical apertures of at least about 0.80 or higher, e.g., 0.95. Preferably, the objective does not include folding mirrors and there is no intermediate image between the two mirrors, as well as the pupil of the objective being free of obscuration.

Abstract: A gas discharge laser crystallization apparatus and method for performing a transformation of a crystal makeup or orientation in a film on a workpiece is disclosed, which may comprise a master oscillator power amplifier MOPA or power oscillator power amplifier configured XeF laser system producing a laser output light pulse beam at a high repetition rate and high power with a pulse to pulse dose control; an optical system producing an elongated thin pulsed working beam from the laser output light pulse beam. The apparatus may further comprise the laser system is configured as a POPA laser system and further comprising: relay optics operative to direct a first output laser light pulse beam from a first laser PO unit into a second laser PA unit; and, a timing and control module timing the creation of a gas discharge in the first and second laser units within plus or minus 3 ns, to produce the a second laser output light pulse beam as an amplification of the first laser output light pulse beam.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a photolithographic reduction projection catadioptric objective is provided and includes a first optical group (G1) and a second substantially refractive optical group (G2) more image forward than the first optical group (G1). The second optical group (G2) includes a number of lens elements (E4-E16) and has a negative overall magnifying power for providing image reduction. The first optical group (G1) has a folded geometry for producing a virtual image and the second optical group (G2) receives and reduces the virtual image to form an image with a numerical aperture of at least substantially (0.80).

Abstract: An EUV optical projection system includes at least six reflecting surfaces for imaging an object (OB) on an image (IM). The system is preferably configured to form an intermediate image (IMI) along an optical path from the object (OB) to the image (IM) between a secondary mirror (M2) and a tertiary mirror (M3), such that a primary mirror (M1) and the secondary mirror (M2) form a first optical group (G1) and the tertiary mirror (M3), a fourth mirror (M4), a fifth mirror (M5) and a sixth mirror (M6) form a second optical group (G2). The system also preferably includes an aperture stop (APE) located along the optical path from the object (OB) to the image (IM) between the primary mirror (M1) and the secondary mirror (M2). The secondary mirror (M2) is preferably concave, and the tertiary mirror (M3) is preferably convex. Each of the six reflecting surfaces preferably receives a chief ray (CR) from a central field point at an incidence angle of less than substantially 15°.

Abstract: A high energy, high repetition rate workpiece surface heating method and apparatus are disclosed which may cmprise a pulsed XeF laser operating at or above 4000 Hz and producing a laser output light pulse beam at a center wavelength of about 351 nm; an optical system narrowing the laser output light pulse beam to less than 20 ?m in a short axis of the laser output light pulse beam and expanding the laser output light pulse beam to form in a long axis of the beam a workpiece covering extent of teh long axis; the optical system including a field stop intermediate the laser and the workpiece; the workpiece comprising a layer to be heated; wherein the optical system focuses the laser output light pulse beam at a field stop with a magnification sufficient to maintain an intensity profile that has sufficiently steep sidewalls to allow the field stop to maintain a sufficiently steep beam profile at the workpiece without blocking the beam profile at too high an intensity level. 2.