Patent ID: 8363206
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. An optical imaging device, comprising: a mask device for receiving a mask comprising a pattern; a substrate device for receiving a substrate; an immersion liquid; and a projection device comprising a plurality of optical elements and a thermal attenuation device, the optical imaging device being configured so that during operation the plurality of optical elements projects the pattern onto the substrate and the thermal attenuation device reduces fluctuations in a temperature distribution of an immersion element of the plurality of optical elements induced by the immersion liquid, wherein the immersion element is the optical element closest to the substrate and adjacent to the immersion liquid so that the immersion liquid is located between the immersion element and the substrate, the immersion element comprising a first area and a second area where the first area is optically used during operation of the optical imaging device and the second area is optically unused during operation of the optical imaging device, the second area comprising a first section adjacent the immersion liquid during operation of the optical imaging device and a second section non-adjacent to the immersion liquid during operation of the optical imaging device, and the thermal attenuation device comprises a first shielding which is a thermal decoupling device that thermally shields at least a part of the first section of the second area of the immersion element, and the first shielding is between the immersion element and the immersion liquid.