Patents by Inventor Willi Heintel

Willi Heintel 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: 10663873
    Abstract: A mirror arrangement, in particular for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, includes at least one mirror element bearing a mirror surface provided for reflecting electromagnetic radiation, at least one carrier element including a head section, which is provided for receiving at least one mirror element, and also a seat section. The arrangement further includes a mount arrangement, for receiving the at least one carrier element. At least one insertion opening is in the mount arrangement. The seat section of the carrier element plunges into the insertion opening. In addition, the arrangement includes a channel device for guiding a heat transfer medium is formed in the mount arrangement in the region surrounding the seat section. A method for dissipating heat is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Heintel, Hermann Bieg
  • Patent number: 10133183
    Abstract: An optical component for a projection exposure apparatus includes a multiplicity of variably positionable beam-guiding elements which serve as pupil facets. The optical component can be arranged in the beam path of the projection optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Paul Buettner, Willi Heintel, Henner Baitinger
  • Patent number: 9658542
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical assembly for a projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography. The optical assembly includes at least one optical element and a mounting body for mechanically fixing the element in a supporting structure. The optical assembly also includes at least one cooling body for dissipating heat from the element. The mounting body and the cooling body are separate from one another. The optical element is connected to the cooling body via at least one heat-conducting element. The disclosure also relates to a projection exposure apparatus including an optical assembly according to the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Heintel, Steffen Fritzsche
  • Publication number: 20170108788
    Abstract: A mirror arrangement, in particular for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, includes at least one mirror element bearing a mirror surface provided for reflecting electromagnetic radiation, at least one carrier element including a head section, which is provided for receiving at least one mirror element, and also a seat section. The arrangement further includes a mount arrangement, for receiving the at least one carrier element. At least one insertion opening is in the mount arrangement. The seat section of the carrier element plunges into the insertion opening. In addition, the arrangement includes a channel device for guiding a heat transfer medium is formed in the mount arrangement in the region surrounding the seat section. A method for dissipating heat is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Willi Heintel, Hermann Bieg
  • Publication number: 20160370707
    Abstract: An optical component for a projection exposure apparatus includes a multiplicity of variably positionable beam-guiding elements which serve as pupil facets. The optical component can be arranged in the beam path of the projection optical unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther, Paul Buettner, Willi Heintel, Henner Baitinger
  • Publication number: 20160109679
    Abstract: There is provided an optical element unit comprising an optical element, a connector element, and an optical element holder. The optical element has a plane of main extension as well as an outer circumference and defines a radial direction. The connector element connects the optical element and the optical element holder, the connector element having a first connector part connected to the optical element at the outer circumference and a second connector part connected to the optical element holder. The first connector part and the second connector part are connected via at least one coupling part, the coupling part being compliant in the radial direction and substantially preventing rotation between the first connector part and the second connector part in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of main extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Dirk Schaffer, Willi Heintel, Hagen Federau, Joachim Hartjes, Harald Kirchner
  • Patent number: 9134501
    Abstract: There is provided an optical element unit comprising an optical element, a connector element, and an optical element holder. The optical element has a plane of main extension as well as an outer circumference and defines a radial direction. The connector element connects the optical element and the optical element holder, the connector element having a first connector part connected to the optical element at the outer circumference and a second connector part connected to the optical element holder. The first connector part and the second connector part are connected via at least one coupling part, the coupling part being compliant in the radial direction and substantially preventing rotation between the first connector part and the second connector part in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of main extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Schaffer, Willi Heintel, Hagen Federau, Joachim Hartjes, Harald Kirchner
  • Publication number: 20150103326
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical assembly for a projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography. The optical assembly includes at least one optical element and a mounting body for mechanically fixing the element in a supporting structure. The optical assembly also includes at least one cooling body for dissipating heat from the element. The mounting body and the cooling body are separate from one another. The optical element is connected to the cooling body via at least one heat-conducting element. The disclosure also relates to a projection exposure apparatus including an optical assembly according to the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Willi Heintel, Steffen Fritzsche
  • Patent number: 8441747
    Abstract: There is provided an optical module for microlithography. The optical module includes an optical element and a retaining device for holding the optical element. The optical element has (a) a main extension plane, in which it defines a radial direction R and a circumferential direction U, and (b) a free optical diameter and an overrun in the region of its outer periphery. The retaining device contacts the optical element in the region of the overrun, and is formed and/or contacts the optical element in such a manner that the overrun ratio, calculated from the overrun related to a minimum overrun necessary for the production of the optical element, is at most 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Heintel, Hagen Federau, Joachim Hartjes, Harald Kirchner, Bernhard Geuppert, Ulrich Bingel, Tilman Schwertner
  • Patent number: 8305701
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a connecting arrangement for an optical device, such as in microlithography. The connecting arrangement includes a first body, a second body and a connecting device. The first body contacts the second body in a laminar manner in a contact region. The connecting device is connected to the second body and contacts the first body via at least one contact unit. The connecting device is configured to generate a predefinable contact force in the contact region between the first body and the second body. The contact unit includes a plurality of separate contact elements. Each contact element is connected to the second body via a spring unit which can be elastically deformed to generate a contribution to the contact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Methe, Willi Heintel, Sascha Licht
  • Publication number: 20110063590
    Abstract: An optical element module comprising a plurality of module components is provided. The module components comprise an optical element, an optical element holder and a contact element. The optical element has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The optical element holder holds the optical element via the first contact element and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second coefficient of thermal expansion being different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. At least one of the module components is adapted to provide at least a reduction of forces introduced into the optical element upon a thermally induced position change in the relative position between the optical element and the optical element holder, the position change resulting from a temperature situation variation in a temperature situation of the plurality of module components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bischoff, Hagen Federau, Willi Heintel, Bernd Wuesthoff, Jochen Wieland
  • Patent number: 7859641
    Abstract: An optical element module comprising a plurality of module components is provided. The module components comprise an optical element, an optical element holder and a contact element. The optical element has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The optical element holder holds the optical element via the first contact element and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second coefficient of thermal expansion being different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. At least one of the module components is adapted to provide at least a reduction of forces introduced into the optical element upon a thermally induced position change in the relative position between the optical element and the optical element holder, the position change resulting from a temperature situation variation in a temperature situation of the plurality of module components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bischoff, Hagen Federau, Willi Heintel, Bernd Wuesthoff, Jochen Wieland
  • Patent number: 7760327
    Abstract: There is provided an optical element comprising an optical element body, a reflecting area and an optical passageway. The optical element body defines an axis of rotational symmetry. The reflecting area is disposed on the optical element body and adapted to be optically used in an exposure process. The optical passageway is arranged within the optical element body and allows light to pass the optical element body, the optical passageway being arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotational symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Scherle, Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan, Stefan Xalter, Johannes Lippert, Ulrich Weber, Bernhard Geuppert, Bernhard Gellrich, Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Willi Heintel, Harald Kirchner, Wolfgang Keller, Andreas Frommeyer, Fraser G. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20100065252
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a connecting arrangement for an optical device, such as in microlithography. The connecting arrangement includes a first body, a second body and a connecting device. The first body contacts the second body in a laminar manner in a contact region. The connecting device is connected to the second body and contacts the first body via at least one contact unit. The connecting device is configured to generate a predefinable contact force in the contact region between the first body and the second body. The contact unit includes a plurality of separate contact elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Heiko Methe, Willi Heintel, Sascha Licht
  • Publication number: 20090147229
    Abstract: There is provided an optical element unit comprising an optical element, a connector element, and an optical element holder. The optical element has a plane of main extension as well as an outer circumference and defines a radial direction. The connector element connects the optical element and the optical element holder, the connector element having a first connector part connected to the optical element at the outer circumference and a second connector part connected to the optical element holder. The first connector part and the second connector part are connected via at least one coupling part, the coupling part being compliant in the radial direction and substantially preventing rotation between the first connector part and the second connector part in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of main extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Dirk Schaffer, Willi Heintel, Hagen Federau, Joachim Hartjes, Harald Kirchner
  • Patent number: 7448763
    Abstract: An optical subassembly with an optical element, for example a mirror element (7), has an optical surface (9) and bearing points (12) arranged on the circumference. The optical element (7) is connected to a mount (13) at the bearing points (12) via connecting elements (14, 15, 16, 17, 18). Stress-decoupling cutouts, for example curved slots (11), are provided between the optical surface (9) and the bearing points (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Andreas Frommeyer, G Fraser Morrison, Wolfgang Keller, Yim-Bun Patrick Kwan, Harald Kirchner, Willi Heintel
  • Publication number: 20080239270
    Abstract: An optical element module comprising a plurality of module components is provided. The module components comprise an optical element, an optical element holder and a contact element. The optical element has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The optical element holder holds the optical element via the first contact element and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second coefficient of thermal expansion being different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. At least one of the module components is adapted to provide at least a reduction of forces introduced into the optical element upon a thermally induced position change in the relative position between the optical element and the optical element holder, the position change resulting from a temperature situation variation in a temperature situation of the plurality of module components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bischoff, Hagen Federau, Willi Heintel, Bernd Wuesthoff, Jochen Wieland
  • Publication number: 20080204689
    Abstract: There is provided an optical module for microlithography. The optical module includes an optical element and a retaining device for holding the optical element. The optical element has (a) a main extension plane, in which it defines a radial direction R and a circumferential direction U, and (b) a free optical diameter and an overrun in the region of its outer periphery. The retaining device contacts the optical element in the region of the overrun, and is formed and/or contacts the optical element in such a manner that the overrun ratio, calculated from the overrun related to a minimum overrun necessary for the production of the optical element, is at most 1.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Willi Heintel, Bernhard Geuppert, Ulrich Bingel, Joachim Hartjes, Hagen Federau, Harald Kirchner, Tilman Schwertner
  • Publication number: 20070014037
    Abstract: An optical subassembly with an optical element, for example a mirror element (7), has an optical surface (9) and bearing points (12) arranged on the circumference. The optical element (7) is connected to a mount (13) at the bearing points (12) via connecting elements (14, 15, 16, 17, 18). Stress-decoupling cutouts, for example curved slots (11), are provided between the optical surface (9) and the bearing points (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Andreas Frommeyer, G. Morrison, Wolfgang Keller, Yim-Bun Kwan, Harald Kirchner, Willi Heintel
  • Publication number: 20060262704
    Abstract: There is provided an optical element comprising an optical element body, a reflecting area and an optical passageway. The optical element body defines an axis of rotational symmetry. The reflecting area is disposed on the optical element body and adapted to be optically used in an exposure process. The optical passageway is arranged within the optical element body and allows light to pass the optical element body, the optical passageway being arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotational symmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Scherle, Yim-Bun Kwan, Stefan Xalter, Johannes Lippert, Ulrich Weber, Bernhard Geuppert, Bernhard Gellrich, Jens Kugler, Franz Sorg, Willi Heintel, Harald Kirchner, Wolfgang Keller, Andreas Frommeyer, Fraser Morrison