Projection exposure methods and apparatus, and projection optical systems

• US 6,606,144 B1
• Filed: 09/24/2002
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Omura, Yasuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/252,426
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 355/52-53, 355/55, 355/67-71, 355/77, 359/618, 359/754, 359/770, 359/649, 359/727-728
• US Class Current: 355/67
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/143 for use with ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/18 with lenses having one or more non-spherical faces, e.g. for reducing geometrical aberration G02B13/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/22 Telecentric objectives or lens systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/24 for reproducing or copying at short object distances
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70241 Optical aspects of refractive lens systems, i.e. comprising only refractive elements
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70741 Handling masks outside exposure position, e.g. reticle libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70883 of optical system

Abstract

A projection exposure method and apparatus and method of fabricating a projection exposure apparatus that has an illumination optical system for supplying exposure light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm to the projection master and a projection optical system for forming an image of a pattern on the projection master. The projection optical system has a front lens unit of a positive refracting power and a rear lens unit of a positive refracting power. An aperture stop is located in the vicinity of a rear focal point of the front lens unit.

Claims

1. A projection exposure apparatus for projecting a pattern on a projection master onto a workpiece to effect exposure thereof, comprising:

an illumination optical system for supplying exposure light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm to said projection master; and

a projection optical system for forming an image of the pattern on said projection master, at a predetermined projection magnification β

on said workpiece;

wherein said projection optical system comprises an aperture stop, a front lens unit located between the aperture stop and said projection master, and a rear lens unit located between said aperture stop and said workpiece,

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of fluorite of a disk member from an amount of fluorite among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image said of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

2. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, concerning said maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

 

NAw>

0.72

and

3. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of said projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

4. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said illumination optical system supplies light having a full width at half maximum of not more than 0.5 pm.

5. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein where A represents the number of aspheric surfaces in said projection optical system, said projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

6. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 4, wherein where A represents the number of aspheric surfaces in said projection optical system, said projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

7. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein where A represents the number of aspheric surfaces in said projection optical system, said projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

8. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 4, wherein where A represents the number of aspheric surfaces in said projection optical system, said projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

9. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said illumination optical system supplies light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm nor less than 170 nm.

10. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said projection optical system has an image field having a diameter of not less than 20 mm.

11. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image-side maximum numerical aperture NAw of said projection optical system satisfies the following condition:

12. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said projection optical system comprises an aspheric surface or a plurality of aspheric surfaces and wherein said aspheric surface or aspheric surfaces are formed in a lens surface or lens surfaces of a lens or lenses made of a material different from said fluorite.

13. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said aspheric surface or aspheric surfaces are formed in a lens surface or lens surfaces of a lens or lenses made of silica glass.

14. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said front lens unit, said aperture stop, and said rear lens unit are located along an optical axis extending linearly.

15. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said projection optical system comprises an aspheric surface for ensuring an image field having a diameter of not less than 20 mm.

16. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further satisfying the following condition:

17. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further satisfying the following condition:

18. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 1, further satisfying the following condition:

59. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

60. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

61. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

62. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

63. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

64. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

65. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

66. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

67. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

68. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

19. A projection exposure method of projecting a pattern on a projection master onto a workpiece to effect exposure thereof, comprising:

an illumination step of supplying exposure light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm to said projection master; and

an image forming step of forming an image of the pattern on said projection master, at a predetermined projection magnification β

on said workpiece, using a projection optical system comprising a front lens unit, an aperture stop, and a rear lens unit;

wherein said image forming step comprises a first auxiliary step of guiding the light from said projection master to said front lens unit, a second auxiliary step of guiding the light passing through said front lens unit, to said aperture stop, a third auxiliary step of guiding the light passing through the aperture stop, to said rear lens unit, and a fourth auxiliary step of forming the image of said pattern on said workpiece, using the light passing through the rear lens unit,

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount or fluorite of a disk member from an amount of fluorite among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

20. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein, concerning said maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

21. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of said projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

22. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein in said illumination step, light having a full width at half maximum of not more than 0.5 pm is supplied.

23. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein where A represents the number of aspheric surfaces in said projection optical system, said projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

24. The projection exposure method according to claim 22, wherein where A represents the number of aspheric surfaces in said projection optical system, said projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

25. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein where A represents the number of aspheric surfaces in said projection optical system, said projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

26. The projection exposure method according to claim 22, wherein where A represents the number of aspheric surfaces in said projection optical system, said projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

27. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein in said illumination step, light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm nor less than 170 nm is supplied.

28. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein a region of said image formed in said image forming step is inscribed in a circle having a diameter of not less than 20 mm.

29. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein the image-side maximum numerical aperture NAw of said projection optical system satisfies the following condition:

30. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein said image forming step comprises an auxiliary step of guiding said light to an aspheric surface provided in a lens made of a material different from said fluorite.

31. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein said front lens unit, said aperture stop, and said rear lens unit are located along an optical axis extending linearly.

32. The projection exposure method according to claim 19, wherein said projection optical system comprises an aspheric surface for ensuring an image field having a diameter of not less than 20 mm.

33. A method of fabricating a microdevice having a predetermined circuit pattern, comprising the steps of

a step of projecting an image of said pattern onto said workpiece to effect exposure thereof, using the projection exposure method as set forth in claim 19;

and

a step of developing said workpiece after the projection exposure.

69. The projection exposure method according to claim 27, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the mount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

 

NAw>

0.72

and

70. The projection exposure method according to claim 27, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

71. The projection exposure method according to claim 28, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

72. The projection exposure method according to claim 28, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

73. A method of fabricating a microdevice having a predetermined circuit pattern comprising the steps of:

a step of projecting an image of the pattern onto the workpiece to effect exposure thereof using the projection exposure method as set forth in claim 20; and

a step of developing the workpiece after the projection exposure.

74. A method of fabricating a microdevice having a predetermined circuit pattern comprising the steps of:

a step of projecting an image of the pattern onto the workpiece to effect exposure thereof using the projection exposure method as set forth in claim 21; and

a step of developing the workpiece after the projection exposure.

75. A method of fabricating a microdevice having a predetermined circuit pattern comprising the steps of:

a step of projecting an image of the pattern onto the workpiece to effect exposure thereof using the projection exposure method as set forth in claim 23; and

a step of developing the workpiece after the projection exposure.

76. A method of fabricating a microdevice having a predetermined circuit pattern comprising the steps of:

a step of projecting an image of the pattern onto the workpiece to effect exposure thereof using the projection exposure method as set forth in claim 25; and

a step of developing the workpiece after the projection exposure.

77. A method of fabricating a microdevice having a predetermined circuit pattern comprising the steps of:

a step of projecting an image of the pattern onto the workpiece to effect exposure thereof using the projection exposure method as set forth in claim 30; and

a step of developing the workpiece after the projection exposure.

78. A method of fabricating a microdevice having a predetermined circuit pattern comprising the steps of:

a step of projecting an image of the pattern onto the workpiece to effect exposure thereof using the projection exposure method as set forth in claim 32; and

a step of developing the workpiece after the projection exposure.

34. A method of fabricating a projection exposure apparatus for projecting a pattern on a projection master onto a workpiece to effect exposure thereof, comprising the steps of:

a step of preparing an illumination optical system for supplying exposure light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm to said projection master; and

a step of preparing a projection optical system for forming an image of the pattern on said projection master, at a predetermined projection magnification β

on said workpiece;

wherein the step of preparing said projection optical system comprises an auxiliary step of preparing a front lens unit, an aperture stop, and a rear lens unit, an auxiliary step of locating said front lens unit between positions where said aperture stop and said are located respectively, and an auxiliary step of locating said rear lens unit between positions where said aperture stop and said workpiece are located respectively,

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of fluorite of a disk member from an amount of fluorite among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

79. The projection exposure apparatus fabrication method according to claim 34, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

80. The projection exposure apparatus fabrication method according to claim 34, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

81. The projection exposure apparatus fabrication method according to claim 34, wherein where A represents a number of spheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

82. The projection exposure apparatus fabrication method according to claim 34, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

83. The projection exposure apparatus fabrication method according to claim 34, wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one aspheric surface and wherein the at least one spheric surface is formed on at least one surface of at least one lens made of a material different from the fluorite.

35. A scanning projection exposure apparatus for projecting a pattern on a projection master onto a workpiece to effect exposure thereof while scanning, comprising:

an illumination optical system for supplying exposure light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm to said projection master; and

a projection optical system for forming an image of the a pattern on said projection master, at a predetermined projection magnification β

on said workpiece;

wherein said projection optical system comprises an aperture stop, a front lens unit located between the aperture stop and said projection master, and a rear lens unit located between said aperture stop and said workpiece,

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of fluorite of a disk member from an amount of fluorite among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

84. The scanning projection exposure apparatus according to claim 35, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

85. The scanning projection exposure apparatus according to claim 35, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfies the following condition:

86. The scanning projection exposure apparatus according to claim 35, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

87. The scanning projection exposure apparatus according to claim 35, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

88. The scanning projection exposure apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one aspheric surface and wherein the at least one aspheric surface is formed on at least one surface of at least one learn made of a material different from the fluorite.

36. A dioptric projection optical system for forming an image of a pattern on a first surface, on a second surface, using light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm, comprising:

an aperture stop;

a front lens unit located between the aperture stop and said first surface; and

a rear lens unit located between said aperture stop and said second surface;

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of fluorite of a disk member from an amount of fluorite among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, β

is a projection magnification of said projection optical system, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

89. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 36, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the mount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

90. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 36, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

91. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 36, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

92. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 36, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

93. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 36, wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one aspheric surface and wherein the at lest one aspheric surface is formed on at least one surface of at least one lens made of a material different from the fluorite.

37. A method of fabricating a dioptric projection optical system for forming an image of a pattern of a first surface on a second surface, using light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm, comprising:

a step of preparing a front lens unit, an aperture stop, and a rear lens unit;

a step of locating said front lens unit between said aperture stop and said first surface; and

a step of locating said rear lens unit between said aperture stop and said second surface;

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of fluorite of a disk member from an amount of fluorite among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, β

is a projection magnification of said projection optical system, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

94. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 37, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

95. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 37, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

96. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 37, wherein where A represents a number of spheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

97. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 37, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

98. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 37, wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one aspheric surface and wherein the at least one aspheric surface is formed on at least one surface of at least one lens made of a material different from the fluorite.

38. A projection exposure apparatus for projecting a pattern on a projection master onto a workpiece to effect exposure thereof, comprising:

an illumination optical system for supplying exposure light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm to said projection master; and

a projection optical system for forming an image of the pattern on said projection master, at a predetermined projection magnification β

on said workpiece,

wherein said projection optical system comprises an aperture stop, a front lens unit located between the aperture stop and said projection master, and a rear lens unit located between said aperture stop and said workpiece,

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of fluorite of a disk member from an amount of fluorite among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, and NAw is maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

39. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 38, wherein concerning said maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

40. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of said projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

99. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 38, wherein where A represents a number of spheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

100. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 38, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

101. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one aspheric surface and wherein the at least one aspheric surface is formed on at least one surface of at least one lens made of a material different from the fluorite.

41. A projection exposure apparatus for projecting a pattern on a projection master onto a workpiece to effect exposure thereof, comprising:

an illumination optical system for supplying exposure light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm to said projection master; and

a projection optical system for forming an image of the pattern on said projection master, at a predetermined projection magnification β

on said workpiece;

wherein said projection optical system comprises an aperture stop, a front lens unit located between the aperture stop and said projection master, and a rear lens unit located between said aperture stop and said workpiece,

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of a first material of a disk member from an amount of the first material among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

42. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein, concerning said maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of first material y, the following conditions are satisfied:

43. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of said projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

44. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the following condition is satisfied:

45. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said illumination optical system supplies light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm nor less than 170 nm, and wherein said first material among said light-transmitting materials in said projection optical system is silica.

46. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said illumination optical system supplies light of a wavelength of not more than 170 nm, and wherein said first material among said light-transmitting materials in said projection optical system is fluorite.

47. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said light-transmitting materials in said projection optical system further comprise a second material different from said first material.

48. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said second material is silica glass.

49. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said first material is fluorite.

50. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said illumination optical system supplies light having a full width at half maximum of not more than 0.5 pm.

51. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said projection optical system has an image field having a diameter of not less than 20 mm.

52. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said projection optical system comprises an aspheric surface for ensuring an image field having a diameter of not less than 20 mm.

53. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said front lens unit, said aperture stop, and said rear lens unit are located along an optical axis extending linearly.

102. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 48, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of first material y, the following conditions are satisfied:

103. The projection exposure apparatus according to claim 48, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

54. A projection exposure method of projecting a pattern on a projection master onto a workpiece to effect exposure thereof, comprising:

an illumination step of supplying exposure light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm to said projection master; and

an image forming step of forming an image of the pattern on said projection master, at a predetermined projection magnification β

on said workpiece, using a projection optical system comprising a front lens unit, an aperture stop, and a rear lens unit;

wherein said image forming step comprises a first auxiliary step of guiding the light from said projection master to said front lens unit, a second auxiliary step of guiding the light passing through said front lens unit, to said aperture stop, a third auxiliary step of guiding the light passing through the aperture stop, to said rear lens unit, and a fourth auxiliary step of forming the image of said pattern on said workpiece, using the light passing through the rear lens unit,

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of a first material of a disk member from an amount of the first material among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

55. The projection exposure method according to claim 54, wherein, concerning said maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of fluorite y, the following conditions are satisfied:

56. The projection exposure method according to claim 54, wherein the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of said projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

104. The projection exposure method according to claim 54, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

105. The projection exposure method according to claim 54, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

106. The projection exposure method according to claim 54, wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one aspheric surface and wherein the at least one aspheric surface is formed on at least one surface of at least one lens made of a material different from the fluorite.

57. A dioptric projection optical system for forming an image of a pattern of a first surface on a second surface, using light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm, comprising:

an aperture stop;

a front lens unit located between the aperture stop and said first surface; and

a rear lens unit located between said aperture stop and said second surface;

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of a first material of a disk member from an amount of the first material among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, β

is a projection magnification of said projection optical system, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

107. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 57, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical aperture NAw and the amount of first material y, the following condition are satisfied:

108. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 57, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

109. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 57, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

110. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 57, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces an the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

111. The dioptric projection optical system according to claim 57, wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one aspheric surface and wherein the at least one aspheric surface is formed on at least one surface of at least one lens made of a material different from the fluorite.

58. A method of fabricating a dioptric projection optical system for forming an image of a pattern of a first surface on a second surface, using light of a wavelength of not more than 200 nm, comprising the steps of:

a step of preparing a front lens unit, an aperture stop, and a rear lens unit;

a step of locating said front lens unit between said aperture stop and said first surface; and

a step of locating said rear lens unit between said aperture stop and said second surface;

wherein, where y (kg) represents a translated amount of a first material of a disk member from an amount of the first material among light-transmitting optical materials in said projection optical system, f2 (mm) is a focal length of said rear lens unit, β

is a projection magnification of said projection optical system, and NAw is a maximum numerical aperture on the image side of said projection optical system, and where x is defined as follows;

112. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 58, wherein, concerning the maximum numerical, aperture NAw and the amount of first material y, the following conditions are satisfied:

113. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 58, wherein, the focal length f2 of the rear lens unit and the maximum numerical aperture NAw of the projection optical system satisfy the following condition:

114. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 58, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

115. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 58, wherein where A represents a number of aspheric surfaces in the projection optical system, the projection optical system satisfies the following conditions:

116. The dioptric projection optical system fabricating method according to claim 58, wherein the projection optical system comprises at least one aspheric surface and wherein the at least one aspheric surface is formed on at least one surface of at least one lens made of a material different from the fluorite.