Abstract: A mirror (1a; 1a?; 1b; 1b?; 1c; 1c?) for the EUV wavelength range and having a substrate (S) and a layer arrangement, wherein the layer arrangement includes at least one surface layer system (P??) consisting of a periodic sequence of at least two periods (P3) of individual layers, wherein the periods (P3) include two individual layers composed of different materials for a high refractive index layer (H??) and a low refractive index layer (L??), wherein the layer arrangement includes at least one surface protecting layer (SPL, Lp) or at least one surface protecting layer system (SPLS) having a thickness of greater than 20 nm, and preferably greater than 50 nm.

Abstract: An optical element, especially a normal-incidence collector mirror, for radiation in the EUV and/or soft X-ray region of wavelengths is described. The element has a substrate, a multilayer coating with an optically active region, and a capacitor, having a first and a second capacitor electrode. At least one layer of the multilayer coating serves as the first capacitor electrode. At least one dielectric layer is provided between the two capacitor electrodes. Also described is an optical system with at least one optical element, having a first electrode arranged in the vicinity of the optical element.

Abstract: A method for producing a multilayer coating (17) for reflecting radiation in the soft X-ray or EUV wavelength range on an optical element (8, 9) which is operated at an operating temperature (TOP) of 30° or more, preferably of 100° C. or more, particularly preferably of 150° C. or more, in particular of 250° C. or more, comprising: determining an optical design for the multilayer coating (17) which defines an optical desired layer thickness (nOP dOP) of the layers (17.1, 17.2) of the multilayer coating (17) at the operating temperature (TOP), and applying the layers (17.1, 17.2) of the multilayer coating (17) with an optical actual layer thickness (nB dB) chosen in such a way that a layer thickness change (nOP dOP?nB dB) caused by thermal expansion of the layers (17.1, 17.2) between the coating temperature (TB) and the operating temperature (TOP) is compensated for.

Abstract: An illumination optical unit for microlithography illuminates an object field with illumination light. The unit includes a first facet mirror that has a plurality of first facets, and a second facet mirror that has a plurality of second facets. The unit has facet pairs which include respectively a facet of the first facet mirror and a facet of the second facet mirror which predefine a plurality of illumination channels for illuminating the object field. At least some of the illumination channels have in each case an assigned polarization element for predefining an individual polarization state of the illumination light guided in the respective illumination channel.

Abstract: An imaging optical system has a plurality of mirrors. These image an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. In the imaging optical system, the ratio of a maximum angle of incidence of imaging light) on reflection surfaces of the mirrors and an image-side numerical aperture of the imaging optical system is less than 33.8°. This can result in an imaging optical system which offers good conditions for a reflective coating of the mirror, with which a low reflection loss can be achieved for imaging light when passing through the imaging optical system, in particular even at wavelengths in the EUV range of less than 10 nm.

Abstract: An optical system for radiation in the EUV wavelength range, in particular a projection exposure apparatus, having at least one vacuum vessel, including: at least one EUV-reflective optical element arranged in an optical path, and a holder which includes at least one sample element, the sample element having an optical surface which is exposed to incident EUV-radiation outside of the optical path, the sample element being sensitive to chemical alterations under influence of the incident EUV-radiation which also affect the optical element. The optical system further includes at least one detection unit for online detection of the contamination status of the sample element during exposure of the sample element to the incident EUV-radiation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a projection objective (22) of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus (10). The projection objective (22) comprises at least one mirror (M1 to M6) that each have a mirror support (241 to 246) and a reflective coating (26) applied thereon. First imaging aberrations of a pre-assembled projection objective are measured. Before the coating (26) is applied, the mirror supports (241 to 246) are provided with a desired surface deformation (34). If the mirrors (M1 to M6) are not reflective for projection light without the coating (26), measuring light is used that has another wavelength. Alternatively, two identical mirror supports (246) may be provided. One support having a reflective coating is part of the pre-assembled projection objective whose imaging aberrations are measured. The other support is provided with surface deformations before coating and mounting the support into the objective.

Abstract: An optical element, especially a normal-incidence collector mirror, for radiation in the EUV and/or soft X-ray region of wavelengths is described. The element has a substrate, a multilayer coating with an optically active region, and a capacitor, having a first and a second capacitor electrode. At least one layer of the multilayer coating serves as the first capacitor electrode. At least one dielectric layer is provided between the two capacitor electrodes. Also described is an optical system with at least one optical element, having a first electrode arranged in the vicinity of the optical element.

Abstract: An optical arrangement, in particular a projection exposure apparatus (1) for EUV lithography, includes: a housing (2) that encloses an interior space (15); at least one, in particular reflective, optical element (4 to 10, 12, 14.1 to 14.6) that is arranged in the housing (2); at least one vacuum generating unit (3) for generating a vacuum in the interior space (15) of the housing (2); and at least one vacuum housing (18, 18.1 to 18.10) that is arranged in the interior space (15) of the housing (2) and that encloses at least the optical surface (17, 17.1, 17.2) of the optical element (4 to 10, 12, 14.1 to 14.5), wherein a contamination reduction unit is associated with the vacuum housing (18.1 to 18.10), which contamination reduction unit reduces the partial pressure of contaminating substances, in particular of water and/or hydrocarbons, at least in close proximity to the optical surface (17, 17.1, 17.2) in relation to the partial pressure of the contaminating substances in the interior space (15).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a projection objective (22) of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus (10). The projection objective (22) comprises at least one mirror (M1 to M6) that each have a mirror support (241 to 246) and a reflective coating (26) applied thereon. First imaging aberrations of a pre-assembled projection objective are measured. Before the coating (26) is applied, the mirror supports (241 to 246) are provided with a desired surface deformation (34). If the mirrors (M1 to M6) are not reflective for projection light without the coating (26), measuring light is used that has another wavelength. Alternatively, two identical mirror supports (246) may be provided. One support having a reflective coating is part of the pre-assembled projection objective whose imaging aberrations are measured. The other support is provided with surface deformations before coating and mounting the support into the objective.

Abstract: An optical system for radiation in the EUV wavelength range, in particular a projection exposure apparatus, having at least one vacuum vessel, including: at least one EUV-reflective optical element arranged in an optical path, and a holder which includes at least one sample element, the sample element having an optical surface which is exposed to incident EUV-radiation outside of the optical path, the sample element being sensitive to chemical alterations under influence of the incident EUV-radiation which also affect the optical element. The optical system further includes at least one detection unit for online detection of the contamination status of the sample element during exposure of the sample element to the incident EUV-radiation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a projection objective (22) of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus (10). The projection objective (22) comprises at least one mirror (M1 to M6) that each have a mirror support (241 to 246) and a reflective coating (26) applied thereon. First imaging aberrations of a pre-assembled projection objective are measured. Before the coating (26) is applied, the mirror supports (241 to 246) are provided with a desired surface deformation (34). If the mirrors (M1 to M6) are not reflective for projection light without the coating (26), measuring light is used that has another wavelength. Alternatively, two identical mirror supports (246) may be provided. One support having a reflective coating is part of the pre-assembled projection objective whose imaging aberrations are measured. The other support is provided with surface deformations before coating and mounting the support into the objective.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a projection objective (22) of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus (10) is described. The projection objective (22) comprises at least one mirror (M1 to M6) that each have a mirror support (241 to 246) and a reflective coating (26) applied thereon. First imaging aberrations of a pre-assembled projection objective are measured. Before the coating (26) is applied, the mirror supports (241 to 246) are provided with a desired surface deformation (34). If the mirrors (M1 to M6) are not reflective for projection light without the coating (26), measuring light is used that has another wavelength. Alternatively, two identical mirror supports (246) may be provided. One support having a reflective coating is part of the pre-assembled projection objective whose imaging aberrations are measured. The other support is provided with surface deformations before coating and mounting the support into the objective.