Patent ID: 6392800
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G02B,G03F

Abstract:
A microlithographic projection exposure system comprising:an illumination system including a light source and having an optical axis featuring a light bundle which has a cross section where polarization of light is essentially orientated radially everywhere in the cross section; an optical structure including a frame and more than four half-wave plates disposed in a facet configuration; said half-wave plates having respective preferred directions so arranged that each half-wave plate deflects the polarization direction of the polarized light in the direction of a radius which cuts through the corresponding half-wave plate and is directed to said optical axis; said system further including a honeycomb condenser operatively connected to said optical structure so as to cause each honeycomb of said honeycomb condenser to be assigned to a facet of said facet configuration; a reticle arranged on said optical axis downstream of said optical structure thereby placing said optical structure between said light source and said reticle; and, a projection lens mounted downstream of said reticle.