Patent ID: 7142285
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: B82Y,G03F,G21K

Abstract:
1. An illumination system, particularly for microlithography with wavelengths≦193 nm, comprising: a primary light source; a first optical component; a second optical component; an image plane; and an exit pupil, wherein said first optical component transforms said primary light source into a plurality of secondary light sources that are imaged by said second optical component in said exit pupil, wherein said first optical component includes a first optical element having a plurality of first raster elements that are imaged into said image plane producing a plurality of images being superimposed at least partially on a field in said image plane, and wherein at least one of said plurality of first raster elements is less than or equal to about 95% illuminated, and only said plurality of first raster elements that are more than about 95% illuminated are imaged into the image plane.