The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 31, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 25, 2002
Rudolf von Bünau, Essingen, DE;
Christian Hembd-Söllner, Stuttgart, DE;
Hubert Holderer, Königsbronn, DE;
Abstract
A projection exposure system, in particular for microlithography, serves for the generation of an image in an image plane of an object arranged in an object plane. The system comprises a light source that emits a projection light bundle. The system also comprises a projection optics arranged in the optical path between the object plane and the image plane as well as at least one optical correction component arranged in the projection light optical path in front of the image plane. In order to change the optical image properties this component is coupled to at least one correction manipulator so that an optical surface of the optical correction component illuminated by the projection light bundle is moved at least regionally. In this connection the correction manipulator operates together with a correction sensor device. The correction sensor device comprises a light source that emits at least one measuring light bundle. This light bundle passes through at least a part of the projection optics and lie sin front of the entry point to and after the exit from the projection optics outside the projection light bundle. The correction sensory device also has a position-sensitive correction sensor element for the detection of the wave front of the at least one measuring light bundle. By means of the correction sensor device a correction of image defects of the projection optics is ensured without the loss of projection light.