Patent ID: 9110383
Filing Date: 2015-08-18
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A projection exposure method for exposing a radiation-sensitive substrate, arranged in the region of an image surface of a projection objective, the projection exposure method comprising: arranging a mask in an object surface of the projection objective, the mask having a first pattern area with a first subpattern, and at least one second pattern area, arranged laterally offset from the first pattern area; with a second subpattern; illuminating the mask with illumination radiation derived from a pulsed laser, the pulse laser being configured to generate pulses at a clock frequency; setting a defined, local illumination intensity distribution of the illumination radiation in a pupil-shaping surface of an illumination system; scanning the mask to irradiate the first subpattern and thereafter the second subpattern with the illumination radiation; illuminating the first subpattern with illumination radiation having a first angular distribution, adapted to the first subpattern, during a first illumination time interval; and subsequently illuminating the second subpattern with illumination radiation having a second angular distribution, adapted to the second subpattern, during a second illumination time interval, the second angular distribution differing from the first angular distribution, wherein a rate of change between the first and second angular distributions is on the order of magnitude of the clock frequency of the pulsed laser.