Illuminating arrangement including a zoom objective incorporating two axicons
First Claim
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1. An illuminating arrangement for an optical system such as a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, the illuminating arrangement comprising:
- a light source for emitting illuminating light along an optical axis;
a zoom objective mounted on said optical axis and defining a light-entry surface and a light-exit surface and said zoom objective having at least one zoom lens;
a first displacement drive for shifting said zoom lens along said axis for varying the degree of coherence σ
of said illuminating lighttwo axicons integrated within said zoom objective between said light-entry surface and said light-exit surface; and
,a second displacement drive for shifting said two axicons relative to each other along said optical axis for adjusting the distance therebetween.
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Abstract
An illumination system for an optical system such as a microlithographic projection exposure system includes a zoom lens 2 for varying the degree of coherence σ and two axicons (22, 23) with an adjustable distance therebetween. The distance can preferably be reduced to zero. The illumination system provides continuous, conventional illumination with a variable degree of coherence σ and annular illumination or multipole illumination with different geometries with low losses of light.
184 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An illuminating arrangement for an optical system such as a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, the illuminating arrangement comprising:
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a light source for emitting illuminating light along an optical axis; a zoom objective mounted on said optical axis and defining a light-entry surface and a light-exit surface and said zoom objective having at least one zoom lens; a first displacement drive for shifting said zoom lens along said axis for varying the degree of coherence σ
of said illuminating lighttwo axicons integrated within said zoom objective between said light-entry surface and said light-exit surface; and
,a second displacement drive for shifting said two axicons relative to each other along said optical axis for adjusting the distance therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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6. An illuminating arrangement for an optical system such as a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, the illuminating arrangement comprising:
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a light source for emitting illuminating light along an optical axis; a zoom objective mounted on said optical axis and having first and second zoom lenses for transmitting said light; a first displacement drive for shifting one of said lenses along said axis to adjust the coherence factor σ
of said light transmitted by said lenses;two axicons arranged in said zoom objective; a second displacement drive for shifting said two axicons relative to each other along said optical axis for adjusting the distance therebetween; and
,said axicons having respective contact surfaces which come into mutual contact engagement when said distance is reduced to a minimum;
at least one of said axicons having a boundary surface opposite the contact surface thereof; and
, said boundary surface being curved.
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18. An illuminating arrangement for an optical system such as a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, the illuminating arrangement comprising:
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a light source for emitting illuminating light along an optical axis; a zoom objective mounted on said optical axis having first and second zoom lenses for transmitting light; a first displacement drive for shifting one of said zoom lenses along said axis to adjust the coherence factor σ
of said light transmitted by said lenses;two axicons integrated within said zoom objective; and
,a second displacement drive for shifting said two axicons relative to each other along said optical axis for adjusting the distance therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification