Patent ID: 6784977
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A projection exposure system, in particular for microlithography, for producing an image in an image plane of an object arranged in an object plane wherein the system comprises:a light source emitting a projection light bundle, with at least one projection optics arranged in an optical path between its object plane and its image plane and with at least one optical correction component arranged in said optical path in front of the image plane, which in order to change optical image properties in the projection is coupled to at least one correction manipulator in such a way that an optical surface of the optical correction component illuminated by the projection light bundle is moved at least regionally, wherein the correction manipulator co-operates with a correction sensor device in order to determine the optical image properties in the projection, said correction sensor device comprising: a) a light source that emits at least one measuring light bundle that traverses at least a part of the projection optics and that lies in front of the entry to the projection optics and behind the exit from the projection optics outside the projection light bundle, and b) a position-sensitive correction sensor element for detecting the wave front of the at least one measuring light bundle, wherein the projection optics are designed so that they contain at least one intermediate image plane and that the correction sensor element lies in the intermediate image plane or in a plane conjugated thereto.