Patent ID: 9140992
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: G02B,G03F

Abstract:
1. A projection exposure apparatus which projects an image of a pattern on a first object onto a second object, the projection exposure apparatus comprising: a projection optical system arranged between the first object and the second object that projects the image of the pattern on the first object onto the second object; and an illumination optical system that illuminates the first object with illumination light from a light source, and comprising at least two birefringent members arranged along a traveling direction of the illumination light, wherein a direction of a fast axis of an at least one birefringent member of the at least two birefringent members is different from a direction of a fast axis of another birefringent member of the at least two birefringent members, wherein the at least one birefringent member of the at least two birefringent members has a non-uniform surface; and the at least one birefringent member changes a polarization state of the illumination light passing the at least one birefringent member to consist primarily of S-polarization when the illumination light reaches the first object after the illumination light entering into the at least one birefringent member passes the at least one birefringent member.