Abstract:
A catadioptric optical system comprising a first imaging optical system including a concave mirror and forming an intermediate image of a first object, said first imaging optical system forming a reciprocating optical system that an incidence light and reflected light pass, a second imaging optical system for forming an image of the intermediate image onto a second object, and a first optical path deflective member, provided between the concave mirror and the intermediate image, for introducing a light from the first imaging optical system to the second imaging optical system, wherein said first optical path deflective member deflects a light in such a direction that a forward path of the first imaging optical system intersects a return path of the first imaging optical system, and wherein said intermediate image is formed without an optical element after a deflection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a projection optical system, and more particularly to a catadioptric projection optical system that projects an object, such as a single crystal substrate and a glass plate for a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), using a mirror. The present invention is suitable, for example, an immersion exposure apparatus (an immersion lithography exposure system) for exposing the object through a fluid between the projection optical system and the object.  
         [0002]     The photolithography technology for manufacturing fine semiconductor devices, such as semiconductor memory and logic circuits, has conventionally employed a reduction projection exposure apparatus that uses a projection optical system to project a circuit pattern of a reticle (or mask) onto a wafer, etc. A more highly integrated and finer semiconductor device (circuit pattern) requires a projection optical system for a better specification and performance. Generally, a shorter wavelength of the exposure light and a higher numerical aperture (“NA”) are effective to improve the resolution. Recently, an optical system with an NA of 1 or higher that utilizes an immersion optical system that fills a space with fluid between a final glass surface (in other words, the lens closet to the wafer) of the projection optical system and the wafer has been proposed, and a higher NA scheme is in progress.  
         [0003]     For the exposure light with a short wavelength such as an ArF excimer laser (with a wavelength of approximately 193 nm) and a F 2  laser (with a wavelength of approximately 157 nm) for higher resolution, lens materials are limited to quartz and calcium fluoride for reduced transmittance. An optical system that includes only lenses (refracting element) absorbs the large amount of light, and reduces an exposure dose on the wafer, causing a decrease in through put. Moreover, lens&#39;s heat absorption and resultant temperature rise disadvantageously fluctuate a focal position, (heat) aberrations, etc. Quartz and calcium fluoride possess similar dispersive powers, and have difficulties in correcting the chromatic aberration. Especially, the lens material can use only calcium fluoride for the exposure wavelength of 157 nm, and correcting the chromatic aberration becomes more difficult. In addition, a lens diameter increases as the NA becomes higher, and causes the increased apparatus cost.  
         [0004]     Various proposals that use a mirror (reflecting element) for an optical system have been made to solve the disadvantageous reduced transmittance, difficult corrections to the chromatic aberration and large aperture of the lens. For example, a catadioptric projection optical system that combines a mirror with a lens has been disclosed. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,877 (reference 1), Japanese Patent Applications, Publication Nos. 62-210415 (reference 2), 62-258414 (reference 3), 5-188298 (reference 4), 6-230287 (reference 5), 2-66510 (reference 6), 3-282527 (reference 7), 8-304705 (reference 8), 2000-47114 (reference 9), and 2003-43362 (reference 10).  
         [0005]     A projection optical system that includes a reflective optical system for a shorter exposure wavelength and a higher NA needs to correct the chromatic aberration, to maintain a large enough imaging area on an image surface, and to secure a sufficient working distance on the image side with a simple structure. The large enough imaging area on the image surface is advantageous to a scanning exposure apparatus to maintain the throughput, and reduce exposure fluctuations. The sufficient image-side working distance is desirable for an apparatus&#39;s auto-focusing system, a wafer-stage&#39;s transport system, and the like. The simple structure would simplify a barrel and the like, and facilitate the assembly production.  
         [0006]     The optical system disclosed in the reference 1 arranges a Mangin mirror and a refractor in an optical system, and exposes a reticle image onto a wafer. Disadvantageously, this optical system blocks light on a pupil&#39;s central part for all the angles of view to be used (hollow illumination), and cannot enlarge an exposure area. An attempt to enlarge the exposure area results in the undesirable expansion of the light blockage on the pupil&#39;s central part. In addition, since a refractive surface of the Mangin mirror forms the light splitting surface that halves the light intensity when ever the light passes through its surface, and reduces the light intensity down to about 10% on the image surface (wafer surface).  
         [0007]     The references 2 and 3 apply Cassegrain and Schwarzschild mirror systems, and each propose an optical system that has an opening at the center of the mirror to create a hollow illumination to the pupil and to image only the pupil&#39;s periphery. However, the hollow illumination on the pupil deteriorates the imaging performance. An attempt to lessen the hollow illumination to the pupil inevitably increases the power of the mirror and enlarges an angle incident upon the mirror. A high NA causes a mirror&#39;s diameter to grow remarkably.  
         [0008]     According to the optical system disclosed in the references 4 and 5, the deflected optical path complicates an apparatus&#39;s configuration. A high NA is structurally difficult because the concave mirror is responsible for most powers in the optical units for imaging an intermediate image onto a final image. Since a lens system located between the concave mirror and the image surface is a reduction system and the magnification has a positive sign, the image-side working distance cannot be sufficiently secured. Since an optical path needs to be split, it is structurally difficult to secure an imaging area width. The large optical system is not suitable for foot-printing.  
         [0009]     The references 6 and 7 first split an optical path using by the beam-splitter, and complicate the structure of a lens barrel. They need the beam-splitter with a large diameter and if the beam-splitter is a prism type, a loss of the light intensity is large due to its thickness. A higher NA needs a larger diameter and increases a loss of the light intensity. Use of a flat-plate beam splitter is also problematic, because it causes astigmatism and coma even with axial light. In addition to asymmetrical aberrations due to heat absorptions and aberrations due to characteristic changes on the beam splitting surface, accurate productions of the beam splitter is difficult.  
         [0010]     The optical system disclosed in the references 8 to 10 propose a twice-imaging catadioptric optical system for forming an intermediate image once. It includes a first imaging optical system that has a reciprocating optical system (double-pass optical system) which includes concave mirrors to form an intermediate image of a first object (e.g., a reticle), and a second imaging optical system that forms the intermediate image onto a surface of a second object (e.g., a wafer). The optical system of the reference 8 arranges a first plane mirror near the intermediate image for deflecting an optical axis and light near the intermediate image. The deflected optical axis is made approximately parallel to a reticle stage and is deflected once again by a second plane mirror, or an image is formed onto a second object without a second plane mirror. In the optical system of the reference 9, a positive lens refracts light from a first object (e.g., a reticle), and a first plane mirror deflects the optical axis. A second plane mirror in a first imaging optical system again deflects the light reflected by a reciprocating optical system that includes a concave mirror to form an intermediate image. The intermediate image is projected onto a second object (e.g., a wafer) with a second imaging optical system. However, a magnification of the first imaging optical system serves as a reduction system more (corresponding to a paraxial magnification |β 1 | of about 0.625 of the first imaging optical system). Therefore, the first intermediate image enlarges the NA of the first intermediate image for an object-side NA in the first object by the reduction magnification. As a result, an incident angle range upon the plane mirror increases, and a higher NA scheme as in the immersion etc. encounters a serious problem. In other words, the first imaging optical system that controls a reduction magnification, a higher NA excessively increases the incident angle range upon the plane mirror, and a reflection film on the plane mirror causes a large difference in reflected light&#39;s intensity between the p-polarized light and s-polarized light. As a result, a critical dimension (“CD”) difference undesirably increases in an effective image plane. In the optical system of the reference 10, a first plane mirror deflects light from a first object (e.g., a reticle), a second plane mirror deflects the light reflected by a reciprocating optical system that includes a concave mirror, and a positive lens forms an intermediate image. The intermediate image is projected onto a second object (e.g., a wafer) with a second imaging optical system. Thus, a distance from the second plane mirror to the intermediate image becomes long by forming the intermediate image via the positive lens, and a light diameter on the second plane mirror becomes large. Therefore, an influence to a quality of the image projected onto the image surface by a few flaws exited on the reflection surface can be disregarded. Moreover, an asymmetry contribution to an imaging error such as coma generated by heating to the lens is compensated by arranging the positive lens in before and after the middle image and symmetry. However, it is difficult to control reflection film properties because the incident angle upon the plane mirror is large. In other words, the light intensity difference between the p-polarized light and s-polarized light increases by the influence of the reflection film on the plane mirror, and the CD difference in the effective image plane will be increased.  
         [0011]     On the other hand, the optical system shown in  FIG. 4  of the reference 10 reflects light from a first object (e.g., a reticle) by a reciprocating optical system that includes a concave mirror, deflects light on a return path optical path of the light returned from the concave mirror of the reciprocating optical system in a direction that intersects with light on a forward path optical path of the light traveled to the concave mirror by a first plane mirror, and forms an intermediate image via a lens. The optical system deflects light from the intermediate image by a second plane mirror, and projects onto a second object (e.g., a wafer). However, the optical system only changes an arrangement of the plane mirror, without changing numerical example for the structure of the first embodiment of the reference 10, and the reference 10 does not advert about the influence to the reflection film by the incident angle upon the plane mirror. Moreover, all embodiments have a structure that arranges the positive lens between the first plane mirror and the intermediate image. Therefore, an incident angle range upon the second plane mirror increases by higher NA of the intermediate image, and a design of the reflection film on the mirror and control of forming film are difficult. An arrangement of the optical system becomes difficult by a physical interference between a marginal ray on the forward path of the reciprocating optical system and the lens according a higher NA. In addition, a distance from the first plane mirror to the intermediate image need to long, the light diameter on the first plane mirror becomes large, and light on the forward path is limited. Therefore, it is difficult to secure an enough effective imaging area. A higher first object point to secure the effective imaging area becomes a wide angle, and correcting the aberration becomes difficult. Moreover the chromatic coma aberration by the lens between the first plane mirror and the intermediate image becomes in the same direction as the chromatic coma aberration generated in the second imaging optical system. Therefore, the chromatic coma aberration increases, and it is difficult to obtain a desired imaging performance according a higher NA.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a catadioptric optical system, an exposure apparatus having the same, and device fabrication method, that can simplify a mechanical structure, minimize an influence of a reflection film on a plane mirror, reduce a physical interference between light and a lens according a higher NA and a chromatic coma aberration generated by a lens between a plane mirror and an intermediate image, and achieve a superior image performance.  
         [0013]     A catadioptric projection optical system of one aspect of the present invention includes a first imaging optical system including a concave mirror and forming an intermediate image of a first object, said first imaging optical system forming a reciprocating optical system that an incidence light and reflected light pass, a second imaging optical system for forming an image of the intermediate image onto a second object; and a first optical path deflective member, provided between the concave mirror and the intermediate image, for introducing a light from the first imaging optical system to the second imaging optical system, wherein said first optical path deflective member deflects a light in such a direction that a forward path optical path of the light returned from the concave mirror of the first imaging optical system intersects a return path optical path of the light traveled to the concave mirror of the first imaging optical system, and wherein said intermediate image is formed without an optical element after a deflection.  
         [0014]     A catadioptric projection optical system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first imaging optical system including a concave mirror and forming an intermediate image of a first object, said first imaging optical system forming a reciprocating optical system that an incidence light and reflected light pass, a second imaging optical system for forming an image of the intermediate image onto a second object, a first optical path deflective member, provided between the concave mirror and the intermediate image, for introducing a light from the first imaging optical system to the second imaging optical system, a second optical path deflective member provided between the intermediate image and the second object, and an optical element, provided between the first optical path deflective member and the second optical path deflective member, and having a positive power, wherein said first optical path deflective member deflects a light in such a direction that a forward path of the first imaging optical system intersects a return path of the first imaging optical system, wherein said intermediate image is formed after a deflection, and wherein said the optical element has a positive magnification.  
         [0015]     An exposure apparatus according to still another aspect of the present invention includes an illumination optical system for illuminating a reticle with a light from a light source, and the above catadioptric projection system for projecting a pattern of the reticle onto an object to be exposed.  
         [0016]     A device fabrication method according to another aspect of the present invention includes the steps of exposing an object using the above exposure apparatus, and performing a development process for the object exposed.  
         [0017]     Other objects and further features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional view of a catadioptric projection optical system of one aspect according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an aberrational diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is an aberrational diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system according to the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is an aberrational diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system according to the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is an aberrational diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system according to the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is an aberrational diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a schematic sectional view of an exposure apparatus of one aspect according to the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart for explaining how to fabricate devices.  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a detailed flowchart of a wafer process in Step  4  of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     A description will now be given of a catadioptric projection optical system of one aspect according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same reference numeral denotes the same element. Therefore, a duplicate description will be omitted. Here,  FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional view of a catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the present invention.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 1, 101  denotes a first object (e.g., a reticle) and  102  denotes a second object (e.g., a wafer). AX 1  to AX 3  are optical axes of optical systems. An effective area from the first object  101  to an imaging is a off-axial ring field area without on-axial. The catadioptical projection optical system  100  is an optical system that does not block light on a pupil&#39;s central part (hollow illumination) as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0034]     The catadioptical projection optical system  100  include, in order of light traveling from the first object  101  side, a first imaging optical system Gr 1  and a second imaging optical system Gr 2 .  
         [0035]     The first imaging optical system Gr 1  includes a lens unit L 1 A, a concave mirror M 1  arranged near a pupil position, and a reciprocating optical system (part) L 1 B, and forms a real image of the first object  101  (a first intermediate image IMG 1 ). A first deflective reflector FM 1  is inclined to the optical axis AX 1  at 45°, deflects light from the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and introduces to the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . A second deflective reflector FM 2  is inclined to the optical axis AX 2  at 45 and deflects light from the intermediate image IMG. Thereby, it is possible to arrange the first object  101  and the second object  102  in parallel. In  FIG. 1 , the catadioptric projection optical system  100  is constructed so that the optical axis AX 1  and the optical axis AX 2  become parallel. Moreover, the optical axis AX 2  and the optical axis AX 1 , and the optical axis AX 2  and the optical axis AX 3  are arranged orthogonally.  
         [0036]     The second imaging optical system Gr 2  includes a lens unit L 2 A and a lens unit L 2 B. The second imaging optical system Gr 2  has a pupil in the lens unit L 2 B and forms an image of the intermediate image IMG onto the second object  102  at a predetermined magnification.  
         [0037]     The first imaging optical system&#39;s concave mirror M 1  and lens correct chromatic aberrations and a positive Petzval sum generated by the second imaging optical system Gr 2 .  
         [0038]     In the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the present invention, the first deflective reflector FM 1  deflects, as shown in  FIG. 1 , light on a return path of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  that is a reciprocating optical system. Concretely, the first deflective reflector FM 1  deflects light on the return path of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  in a direction that intersects with light on a forward path. Therefore, an incident angle of principal ray that incident upon the first deflective reflector FM 1  can be controlled at 45° or smaller. Moreover, an incident angle of principal ray that incident upon the second deflective reflector FM 2  can be controlled similarly by arranging the lens unit (field lens) L 2 A that has a positive power between the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2 . Therefore, a reflected light&#39;s intensity difference between p-polarized light and s-polarized light generated by an influence to a reflection film on a plane mirror can be controlled to small.  
         [0039]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  reflects light by the first deflective reflector FM 1  and forms an intermediate image IMG without through the lens. Therefore, the catadioptric projection optical system  100  can avoid interference between a marginal ray of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the lens unit L 2 A, and a structure of an optical system becomes easy for a higher NA.  
         [0040]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  does not arrange the lens between the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2 , but arranges the lens between the intermediate image IMG and the second deflective reflector FM 2 . Therefore, the catadioptric projection optical system  100  can obtain effects that compensate a coma generated in the lens near the second object  102  that becomes a problem to a higher NA.  
         [0041]     In the catadioptric projection optical system  100 , preferably, the following conditional expression, where β 1  is a paraxial imaging magnification of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , and NAO is a numerical aperture of the light at the first object  101  side. 
 
|β1 /NAO|&gt; 3.8  (1) 
 
         [0042]     The conditional expression (1) defines a ratio between the paraxial imaging magnification of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the numerical aperture NAO at the first object  101  side. If a value is lower than the lower limit in the conditional expression (1), the imaging magnification β 1  of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  becomes an excessively small reduction magnification and a principal ray angle and an incident angle range of the light entering the first deflective reflector FM 1  become excessively large. The excessively large incident angle range undesirably complicates control over reflection film properties of a plane mirror. A transmittance distribution on a pupil changes and the imaging performance deteriorates.  
         [0043]     In the ratio between the paraxial imaging magnification of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the numerical aperture of the light NAO at the first object  101  side, more preferably, the following conditional expression is met. 
 
6.2&gt;|β1/ NAO|&gt; 5.0  (2) 
 
         [0044]     If a value is exceeds the upper limit in the conditional expression (2), the imaging magnification β 1  of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  becomes an excessively large reduction magnification, a light diameter on the first deflective reflector FM 1  becomes excessively large, and light on the forward path is limited. Therefore, it is difficult to secure an enough effective imaging area.  
         [0045]     On the other hand, if a value is satisfied the lower limit of the conditional expression (2), the principal ray angle and the incident angle range of the light entering the first deflective reflector FM 1  can controlled to small. Therefore, it is easy to control reflection film properties of the plane mirror.  
         [0046]     In the catadioptric projection optical system  100 , preferably, the following conditional expression, where β 1  is a paraxial imaging magnification of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , βf is a paraxial imaging magnification of the lens unit L 2 A arranged between the intermediate image IMG and the second deflective reflector FM 2 , and NAO is a numerical aperture of the light at the first object  101  side. 
 
6.80&lt;|β1·β f/NAO|&lt; 10.60  (3) 
 
         [0047]     If a value is lower than the lower limit in the conditional expression (3), a imaging magnification from the first imaging optical system Gr 1  to the lens unit L 2 A becomes an excessively small reduction magnification and a principal ray angle and an incident angle range of the light entering the second deflective reflector FM 2  become excessively large. The excessively large incident angle range undesirably complicates control over reflection film properties of a plane mirror. A transmittance distribution on a pupil changes and the imaging performance deteriorates.  
         [0048]     If a value exceeds the upper limit in the conditional expression (3), the imaging magnification from the first imaging optical system Gr 1  to the lens unit L 2 A becomes an excessively large reduction magnification, and it is necessary to become the imaging magnification of second imaging optical system Gr 2  to excessively small. Therefore, it is necessary to become the power to large because the pupil moves the first object  101  side, and the Petzval sum deteriorates.  
         [0049]     Moreover, in the catadioptric projection optical system  100 , preferably, the following conditional expression, where a is a distance parallel to the optical axis AX 2  between the intermediate image IMG and a first surface of an optical element closest to the intermediate image IMG among the lens unit L 2 A, and b is a distance along the optical axis AX 2  and the optical axis AX 3  for the light from the intermediate image IMG to the second object  102  surface via the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . 
 
0.0005 &lt;a/b&lt; 0.105  (4) 
 
         [0050]     If a value is lower than the lower limit of the conditional expression (4), the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the lens unit L 2 A close, it is difficult to secure a space, and results in complicating a mechanical structure. The correcting effect of the chromatic coma aberration decreases.  
         [0051]     On the other hand, if a value exceeds the upper limit of the conditional expression (4), an effective diameter of lens of the lens unit L 2 A becomes excessively large. The excessively large effective diameter of lens undesirably complicates manufacture of high quality lens materials, and the apparatus becomes big.  
         [0052]     In addition, in the catadioptric projection optical system  100 , preferably, the following conditional expression, where c is a distance along the optical axis AX 1 , the optical axis AX 2  and the optical axis AX 3  for the light from the first surface  101  to the second object  102  surface via the optical elements. 
 
0.47&lt; b/c&lt; 0.58  (5) 
 
         [0053]     If a value is lower than the lower limit of the conditional expression (5), a space between the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the second imaging optical system Gr 2  becomes narrow, and results in complicating a mechanical structure. On the other hand, if a value exceeds the upper limit of the conditional expression (5), an effective diameter of lens of the second imaging optical system Gr 2  becomes excessively large. The excessively large effective diameter of lens undesirably complicates manufacture of high quality lens materials, and the apparatus becomes big.  
         [0054]     A sign of an angle of a pupil paraxial ray may be inverted at before or after the lens unit L 2 A arranged between the intermediate image IMG and the second deflective reflector FM 2 . If the sign is not inverted, the incident angle of the principal ray entering the second deflective reflector FM 2  becomes excessively large. The excessively large incident angle undesirably complicates control over reflection film properties of the plane mirror.  
         [0055]     An angle between a principal ray of light incident upon the first deflective reflector FM 1  and a reflection surface of the first deflective reflector FM 1  may be 43° or smaller. Because a convergent light incident upon the first deflective reflector FM 1 , the marginal ray is incident upon the first deflective reflector FM 1  by a larger angle than the principal ray. The incident angle may be small from viewpoint of the reflection film on the plane mirror. Therefore, the incident angle of off-axis principal ray becomes 43° or smaller to the first deflective reflector FM 1  inclined to the optical axis AX 1  at 45°.  
         [0056]     The incident angle range may be small to control reflection film properties formed on the plane mirror. Therefore, the incident angle range of ray entering the first deflective reflector FM 1  is preferably 35° or smaller, more preferably 30° or smaller.  
         [0057]     In the catadioptric projection optical system  100 , all positive power optical elements arranged between the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2  have an expansion magnification. In other words, the positive power optical element only arranges between the intermediate image IMG as the real image and the second deflective reflector FM 2 . Thereby, the correcting effect of the chromatic coma aberration can be obtained, and the incident angle and the incident angle range of light entering the second deflective reflector FM 2  decrease. Therefore, it is easy to control reflection film properties of the plane mirror.  
         [0058]     In the catadioptric projection optical system  100 , preferably, the following conditional expression is met, where β 1  is the paraxial imaging magnification of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 . 
 
|β 1 &gt;1.0  (6) 
 
         [0059]     If a value is lower than the lower limit of the conditional expression (6), the imaging magnification β 1  of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  becomes an excessively small reduction magnification and the incident angle range of the light entering the first deflective reflector FM 1  become excessively large. The excessively large incident angle range undesirably complicates control over reflection film properties of a plane mirror.  
         [0060]     In the paraxial imaging magnification β 1  of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , more preferably, the following conditional expression is met. 
 
1.25&gt;β1  (7) 
 
         [0061]     If the conditional expression (7) is not met, a light diameter on the first deflective reflector FM 1  becomes excessively large, and light on the forward path is limited. Therefore, it is difficult to secure an enough effective imaging area.  
         [0062]     In  FIG. 1 , it is not necessary for the optical axis AX 1  and the optical axis AX 2  to be arranged orthogonally. For example, if the first object  101  and the second object  102  are arranged in parallel, unless an interference of the lens and reflection member etc. occurs, the optical axis AX 1  and the optical axis AX 2  may have an arbitrary angle.  
         [0063]     An angle between the optical axis AX 1  and the reflection surface of the first deflective reflector FM 1  is preferably 45° or smaller. If the angle is not 45° or smaller, the incident angle of ray entering the first deflective reflector FM 1  becomes large, and it is difficult to control reflection film properties of the plane mirror. Moreover, it is difficult to secure a space near the first object  101 , and results in complicating a mechanical structure.  
         [0064]     A shortest distance parallel to the optical axis AX 2  between an optical element of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  or marginal ray and a first surface of a lens closest to the first imaging optical system Gr 1  among the lens unit L 2 A is preferably 30 mm or more. If the shortest distance is not 30 mm or more, a physical interference with light and lens occurs, and results in complicating a mechanical structure.  
         [0065]     The upper limit of the shortest distance parallel to the optical axis AX 2  between the optical element of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  or marginal ray and the first surface of the lens closest the first imaging optical system Gr 1  among the lens unit L 2 A is more preferably 160 mm or less. If the shortest distance exceeds 160 mm, the intermediate image IMG and the lens unit L 2 A excessively separates from each other, and the effective diameter of the lens unit L 2 A becomes excessively large. The excessively large effective diameter of lens undesirably complicates manufacture of high quality lens materials, and the apparatus becomes big.  
         [0066]     If the intermediate image IMG and the lens unit L 2 A closes from each other, it is necessary to separate the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the intermediate image IMG from each other. Therefore, the light diameter on the first deflective reflector FM 1  becomes excessively large, and light on the forward path is limited. Thereby, it is difficult to secure an enough effective imaging area. A higher object point of the first object  101  to secure the effective imaging area is not desirable because correcting the aberration becomes difficult.  
         [0067]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  includes, in the present embodiment, deflective reflectors (the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2 ). Concretely, the catadioptric projection optical system  100  has one deflective reflector respectively in the optical path of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the optical path of the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . Here, when the first object  101  and the second object  102  are arranged in abbreviation parallel, the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2  are arranged to form a relative angle difference of 90° between their reflective surfaces. When the first object  101  and the second object  102  do not need to be arranged in abbreviation parallel, the second deflective reflector FM 2  does not need to arrange.  
         [0068]     For the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the present invention, the first imaging optical system Gr 1  includes the reciprocating optical system (part) L 1 B. However, the reciprocating optical system L 1 B has a negative refractive power and includes at least one lens having a negative refractive power. At least one of those lenses having a negative refractive power preferably have its concave surface oriented toward the first object  101 . This reciprocating optical system L 1 B preferably has at least one lens having an aspheric surface. If the reciprocating optical system L 1 B does not have the lens having the aspheric surface, a plurality of lenses are used for the reciprocating optical system L 1 B to share the power. Of course, even when the lens having the aspheric surface is used, constructing the reciprocating optical system L 1 B with a plurality of lenses can better control introduction of aberrations at the reciprocating optical system part. The concave mirror M 1  may have an aspheric surface.  
         [0069]     The first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2  include deflective mirrors. The shape of the deflective mirror may be a shape of a flat plate or other shape (for example, part of a cubic shape). The first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2  may also be a mirror that utilizes backside reflection of glass. The light splitter may also be used for the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2 , in which case, an off-axial beam can be used from the on-axis.  
         [0070]     An aperture stop (not shown) is preferably arranged in the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . The aperture stop may also be arranged in combination or singly around where a principal ray of the first imaging optical system Gr 1  intersects the optical axis AX 1 .  
         [0071]     In  FIG. 1 , the optical axis AX 1  and the optical axis AX 2 , and the optical axis AX 2  and the optical axis AX 3  are arranged orthogonal to each other, but they need not necessarily be orthogonal. As mentioned above, the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2  preferably are arranged such that their mutual reflection surfaces have an angular difference of 90°. This is because if the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2  are arranged such that they have a relative angular difference of 90′, the first object  101  and the second object  102  can be arranged in parallel. However, if there is no need to arrange the first object  101  and the second object  102  in parallel, the first deflective reflector FM 1  and the second deflective reflector FM 2  need not have relative angular difference of 90°, and thus, may have the arbitrary angle.  
         [0072]     In the catadioptric projection optical system  100 , preferably, at least the image-surface side is made telecentric to reduce fluctuations of the magnification when a surface of the second object  102  varies in the optical-axis direction.  
         [0073]     Preferably, the catadioptric projection optical system  100  provides the first imaging optical system Gr 1  with the concave mirror M 1  and a refractor, the second imaging optical system Gr 2  with a refractor. The catadioptric system when used for the final imaging optical system causes interfere between a concave mirror and the light, and complicates a configuration of an optical system with a high NA. If a catadioptric system is not adopted as a subsystem in the total optical system, chromatic aberrations are hard to be corrected. Moreover, if a reflective system is used for the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , chromatic aberrations are hard to be corrected.  
         [0074]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  may include an aberration correction mechanism that corrects aberrations. The aberration correction mechanism is possible to include a mechanism in the first imaging optical system Gr 1  that moves a lens in an optical axis direction and/or in a direction vertical to an optical axis, or in other directions (to decenter a lens). A similar aberration correction mechanism may be included in the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . In addition, a mechanism for deforming the concave mirror M 1  may be included to correct aberrations.  
         [0075]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  is suitable an immersion structure that fills a fluid between the second object  102  surface and the final lens surface of the optical system. However, the space between the second object  102  surface and the final lens surface may be air.  
         [0076]     A field stop may be provided near the intermediate image IMG. When a diffraction optical element is used for the optical system, and the second object  102  surface and its neighborhood use the above immersion structure, a view-field limiting stop provided to a final glass surface on the optical system and a neighboring field stop (e.g., between the final glass surface and the surface of the second object  102 ) will prevent flare light etc., which are and are not generated from the diffraction optical element, from arriving at the second object  102  surface. The second object  102  surface may have an immersion structure without employing a diffraction optical element in the optical system.  
         [0077]     In building an immersion optical system, whether or not a diffraction optical element is present, an axial interval between the final surface of the optical system and the surface of the second object  102  is preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or less, to minimize influences by fluid properties etc. on the imaging performance of the optical system.  
         [0078]     Although the catadioptric projection optical system  100  has, in the instant embodiment, a magnification of ¼, it is not limited to this and may be ⅕ or ⅙.  
         [0079]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  uses an off-axial image point of the first object, in a certain range off the optical axis. At that time, a rectangular or arc slit area on the first object surface, not inclusive of the optical axis, becomes an exposure area.  
         [0080]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  deflects light on the return path of the reciprocating optical system in a direction that intersects light on the forward path by the first deflective reflector FM 1 . Therefore, the deterioration of the reflection film properties resulting from the incident angle range upon the deflective reflector that becomes the problem according a shorter wavelength and a higher NA can be prevented. The catadioptric projection optical system  100  reflects light by the first deflective reflector FM 1  and forms the intermediate image IMG without through the lens. Therefore, the incident angle range upon the second deflective reflector FM 2  decreases, and it is easy to control the reflection film properties. Moreover, the catadioptric projection optical system  100  avoids interference between light near the intermediate image and the lens, control the chromatic coma aberration, and can be obtain the predetermined imaging performance. However, the catadioptric projection optical system  100  is not limited to the structure shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0081]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the present invention is especially effective with a high NA of  0 . 8  or higher, particularly, 0.85 or higher. The catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the present invention is suitable for the exposure apparatus that uses a light with shorten wavelength, preferably a light with a wavelength of 200 nm or less, as exposure light, and is especially effective for the wavelength such as ArF excimer laser and F 2  laser that requires for to the immersion.  
         [0082]     Hereafter, a description will be given of a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system  100 .  
       First Embodiment  
       [0083]      FIG. 2  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the first embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the catadioptric projection optical system  100  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a first imaging optical system Gr 1  and a second imaging optical system Gr 2 .  
         [0084]     The first imaging optical system Gr 1  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a lens unit L 1 A having a positive refractive power, a reciprocating optical system (part) L 1 B having a negative refractive power, and a concave mirror M 1 .  
         [0085]     The lens unit L 1 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first object  101 , an aspheric positive lens L 111  and a positive lens L 112 . The aspheric positive lens L 111  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The positive lens L 112  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the first object  101  side.  
         [0086]     The reciprocating optical system L 1 B includes an aspheric negative lens L 113 , a positive lens L 114 , an aspheric negative lens L 115 , a negative lens L 116 , and a concave mirror M 1 . The aspheric negative lens L 113  has an approximately planoconcave form that has a concave surface oriented toward a side opposite to the first object  101  side. The positive lens L 114  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The aspheric negative lens L 115  has a meniscus form that has a concave mirror oriented toward the first object  101  side. The negative lens L 116  has a meniscus form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The concave mirror M 1  has a concave form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side.  
         [0087]     The light from the first object  101  passes through the lens unit L 1 A, enters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B, is reflected at the concave mirror M 1 , and reenters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. Then, a deflective reflector FM 1  deflects the optical axis AX 1  to the optical axis AX 2  by 90°. The light is also reflected, and an intermediate image IMG is formed.  
         [0088]     The first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . Preferably, as in the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the intermediate image IMG and the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. In the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  uses a flat mirror.  
         [0089]     The second imaging optical system Gr 2  includes a lens unit L 2 A having a positive refractive power and a lens unit L 2 B having a positive refractive power.  
         [0090]     The lens unit L 2 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , a biconvex aspheric positive lens L 211  and a meniscus aspheric positive lens L 212  with its convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the intermediate image IMG side.  
         [0091]     The lens unit L 2 B includes a positive lens L 213 , a negative lens L 214 , an aspheric positive lens L 215 , an aspheric positive lens L 216 , a negative lens L 217 , an aspheric positive lens L 218 , an aspheric positive lens L 219 , an aperture stop  103 , a positive lens L 220 , a positive lens L 221 , an aspheric positive lens L 222 , a positive lens L 223 , an aspheric positive lens L 224 , and an aspheric positive lens L 225 . The positive lens L 213  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The negative lens L 214  has a biconcave form. The aspheric positive lens L 215  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 216  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The negative lens L 217  has an approximately planoconcave form that has a concave surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 218  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 219  has a biconvex form. The positive lens L 220  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 221  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 222  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 223  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 224  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 225  has a planoconvex form that has a plane surface oriented toward the second object  102  side.  
         [0092]     The second deflective reflector FM 2  is arranged between the lens unit L 2 A and the lens unit L 2 B of the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . The present embodiment makes the second deflective reflector FM 2  of a plane mirror for deflecting the light reflected from the first deflective reflector FM 1  in a predetermined direction.  
         [0093]     The second imaging optical system Gr 2  of the instant embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the lens unit L 2 A having positive refractive power and the lens unit L 2 B having positive refractive power. For example, the lens unit L 2 B can have a lens unit with a negative refractive power or another structure.  
         [0094]     The aperture stop  103  is arranged between the aspheric positive lens L 219  and the positive lens L 220 .  
         [0095]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the first embodiment uses a projection magnification of ¼, a reference wavelength of  157  nm, and calcium fluoride as a glass material. An image-side numerical aperture is NA=0.80. An object-image distance (the first object  101  surface to the second object  102  surface) is L=997.84 mm. An aberration-corrected object point in a range of about 7.50 to 20.25 mm secures a rectangular exposure area of at least 26 mm long and 8 mm wide.  
         [0096]      FIG. 3  shows a lateral aberration diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the first embodiment.  FIG. 3  shows a wavelength with a reference wavelength of 157.6 nm±0.6 pm. Understandably, monochrome and chromatic aberrations are satisfactorily corrected.  FIG. 3A  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 7.5 mm in the second object  102 . On the other hand,  FIG. 3B  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 20.25 mm in the second object  102 . While the instant embodiment uses only calcium fluoride as a glass material, other glass materials such as barium calcium fluoride, magnesium calcium fluoride, and the like may be used in combination or singularly.  
         [0097]     The following Table 1 shows the specification of the numerical example of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the first embodiment. “i” in the table is a surface number along a direction of light traveling from the first object  101 . “ri” is a radius of curvature for each surface corresponding to a surface number. “di” is a surface spacing of each surface. A shape of an aspheric surface is given by the following equation: 
 
 X =( H   2 /4)/(1+((1−(1+ k )·( H/ri ) 2 ))1/2) AH   4   +BH   6   +CH   8   +DH   10   +EH   12   +FH   14   +GH   16  
 
         [0098]     where X is a displacement in a direction of an optical axis from the lens top, H is a distance from the optical axis, ri is a radius of curvature, k is a conical constant; and A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are aspheric coefficients. A lens glass material CaF 2  has a refractive index to a reference wavelength A=157.000 nm is 1.56. The refractive indexes of the wavelengths of +0.6 pm and −0.6 pm for the reference wavelengths are, 1.55999847 and 1.560000153, respectively.  
                                                           TABLE 1                           DISTANCE FROM FIRST OBJECT˜FIRST       SURFACE: 41.15312 mm                        LENS           i   ri   di   MATERIAL                        1   395.97465   20.22118   caf2           2   −2898.20269   44.71464       3   −251.61654   42.00000   caf2       4   −231.04782   286.07966       5   −1822.70249   28.34838   caf2       6   256.11745   10.06127       7   254.50945   35.66908   caf2       8   −2557.13314   103.60600       9   −180.38280   20.31823   caf2       10   −468.06841   10.69468       11   −339.05921   21.00642   caf2       12   −1135.87333   33.83254       13   −278.56064   −33.83254       M1       14   −1135.87333   −21.00642   caf2       15   −339.05921   −10.69468       16   −468.06841   −20.31823   caf2       17   −180.38280   −103.60600       18   −2557.13314   −35.66908   caf2       19   254.50945   −10.06127       20   256.11745   −28.34838   caf2       21   −1822.70249   −268.88082       22   0.00000   162.32865       FM1       23   412.14379   44.81415   caf2       24   −514.47810   24.63586       25   −350.11325   33.47520   caf2       26   −254.60012   219.66548       27   0.00000   −199.95918       FM2       28   514.92997   −23.66212   caf2       29   255.35596   −13.37135       30   338.01319   −15.04140   caf2       31   −459.91711   −1.01570       32   −258.57016   −34.83108   caf2       33   −457.51166   −71.87340       34   −223.68365   −47.54530   caf2       35   751.85440   −22.60074       36   268.47191   −23.38703   caf2       37   −1165.25792   −16.20487       38   −386.40525   −20.33655   caf2       39   −466.36508   −12.77442       40   −370.27173   −63.27240   caf2       41   232.77226   23.91356       42   0.00000   −42.90082       APERTURE STOP       43   1148.49808   −68.29475   caf2       44   568.06929   −1.01683       45   −219.12809   −49.17786   caf2       46   1682.72634   −1.01683       47   −514.87058   −21.29114   caf2       48   −39003.71488   −2.51668       49   −616.56989   −17.52530   caf2       50   −3.5E+05   −1.83409       51   −910.87500   −24.55409   caf2       52   −11464.91757   −1.01683       53   −209.21733   −49.49135   caf2       54   0.00000   −9.95147                 L = 997.84 mm            β = ¼           NA = 0.80            |β1/NAO| = 5.29            |β1 · βf/NAO| = 7.65            |β1| = 1.057            a/b = 0.0538            b/c = 0.479             
 
         [0099]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ASPHERICAL SURFACES 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 K 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 0.67157400 
                 −3.12148340E−09 
                 1.24961887E−13 
                 −1.07206311E−17 
               
               
                 6 
                 −0.26422545 
                 −4.07630359E−09 
                 −3.74292072E−13 
                 −1.46846516E−17 
               
               
                 10 
                 −0.04052878 
                 −5.40216034E−09 
                 1.46578961E−13 
                 6.53664151E−20 
               
               
                 16 
                 −0.04052878 
                 −5.40216034E−09 
                 1.46578961E−13 
                 6.53664151E−20 
               
               
                 20 
                 −0.26422545 
                 −4.07630359E−09 
                 −3.74292072E−13 
                 −1.46846516E−17 
               
               
                 23 
                 −0.06868808 
                 −1.05721576E−08 
                 −4.79962790E−14 
                 4.74439039E−19 
               
               
                 25 
                 1.04273198 
                 −4.70121479E−09 
                 1.07389747E−13 
                 1.24811271E−18 
               
               
                 32 
                 −1.01492628 
                 −1.96968709E−08 
                 2.44323828E−13 
                 −4.76571749E−18 
               
               
                 34 
                 −0.45182630 
                 2.12897818E−08 
                 2.93116566E−13 
                 1.54392512E−17 
               
               
                 39 
                 −1.99465650 
                 −3.89130899E−08 
                 5.64229062E−13 
                 7.10821780E−18 
               
               
                 41 
                 −1.09917187 
                 −1.56104003E−08 
                 6.72159485E−13 
                 −3.21066701E−17 
               
               
                 47 
                 1.46551924 
                 5.88942104E−08 
                 3.79528671E−12 
                 −2.62771281E−16 
               
               
                 51 
                 −2.04763264 
                 −6.93796147E−08 
                 −3.23034550E−12 
                 8.79032313E−16 
               
               
                 53 
                 −0.58689189 
                 −4.47928864E−08 
                 1.18331479E−13 
                 −2.99578474E−16 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
                 G 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 3.02396381E−21 
                 −4.17118053E−25 
                 2.78125431E−29 
                 −6.44187470E−34 
               
               
                 6 
                 2.12902413E−21 
                 −2.81497785E−25 
                 1.50694792E−29 
                 −3.53816272E−34 
               
               
                 10 
                 2.55935824E−22 
                 −2.01752638E−27 
                 −4.05301590E−31 
                 2.49240398E−35 
               
               
                 16 
                 2.55935824E−22 
                 −2.01752638E−27 
                 −4.05301590E−31 
                 2.49240398E−35 
               
               
                 20 
                 2.12902413E−21 
                 −2.81497785E−25 
                 1.50694792E−29 
                 −3.53816272E−34 
               
               
                 23 
                 −8.39315466E−22 
                 4.89327799E−26 
                 −1.86906734E−30 
                 −1.91328722E−36 
               
               
                 25 
                 3.43732001E−22 
                 −7.17783414E−28 
                 −2.94948641E−31 
                 3.96862254E−35 
               
               
                 32 
                 −5.04835667E−22 
                 6.49443358E−26 
                 −3.00384245E−30 
                 6.50850163E−35 
               
               
                 34 
                 4.13121834E−22 
                 −3.42060737E−26 
                 3.13448029E−30 
                 −1.26160384E−34 
               
               
                 39 
                 3.92603930E−22 
                 −8.05151085E−26 
                 2.70060158E−30 
                 −5.33417169E−35 
               
               
                 41 
                 1.37582551E−21 
                 −5.72809395E−26 
                 1.81888057E−30 
                 −1.90531697E−35 
               
               
                 47 
                 −1.60589201E−20 
                 2.16600278E−24 
                 −9.01334418E−29 
                 1.30281885E−33 
               
               
                 51 
                 −4.52726701E−20 
                 5.98777721E−24 
                 −4.25816067E−28 
                 1.53629738E−32 
               
               
                 53 
                 −2.91098686E−19 
                 7.52634824E−23 
                 −1.41750767E−26 
                 8.34861881E−31 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Second Embodiment  
       [0100]      FIG. 4  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the second embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the catadioptric projection optical system  100  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a first imaging optical system Gr 1  and a second imaging optical system Gr 2 .  
         [0101]     The first imaging optical system Gr 1  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a lens unit L 1 A having a positive refractive power, a reciprocating optical system (part) L 1 B having a negative refractive power, and a concave mirror M 1 .  
         [0102]     The lens unit L 1 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first object  101 , an aspheric positive lens L 111  and a positive lens L 112 . The aspheric positive lens L 111  has a biconvex form. The positive lens L 112  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the first object  101  side.  
         [0103]     The reciprocating optical system L 1 B includes an aspheric negative lens L 113 , a positive lens L 114 , an aspheric negative lens L 115 , a negative lens L 116 , and a concave mirror M 1 . The aspheric negative lens L 113  has an approximately planoconcave form that has a concave surface oriented toward a side opposite to the first object  101  side. The positive lens L 114  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The aspheric negative lens L 115  has a meniscus form that has a concave mirror oriented toward the first object  101  side. The negative lens L 116  has a meniscus form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The concave mirror M 1  has a concave form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side.  
         [0104]     The light from the first object  101  passes through the lens unit L 1 A, enters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B, is reflected at the concave mirror M 1 , and reenters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. Then, a deflective reflector FM 1  deflects the optical axis AX 1  to the optical axis AX 2  by 90°. The light is also reflected, and an intermediate image IMG is formed.  
         [0105]     The first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . Preferably, as in the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the intermediate image IMG and the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. In the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  uses a flat mirror.  
         [0106]     The second imaging optical system Gr 2  includes a lens unit L 2 A having a positive refractive power and a lens unit L 2 B having a positive refractive power.  
         [0107]     The lens unit L 2 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , a biconvex aspheric positive lens L 211  and a meniscus aspheric positive lens L 212  with its convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the intermediate image IMG side.  
         [0108]     The lens unit L 2 B includes a positive lens L 213 , a negative lens L 214 , an aspheric positive lens L 215 , an aspheric positive lens L 216 , a negative lens L 217 , an aspheric positive lens L 218 , an aspheric positive lens L 219 , an aperture stop  103 , a positive lens L 220 , a positive lens L 221 , an aspheric negative lens L 222 , a positive lens L 223 , an aspheric positive lens L 224 , and an aspheric positive lens L 225 . The positive lens L 213  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The negative lens L 214  has a biconcave form. The aspheric positive lens L 215  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 216  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The negative lens L 217  has a biconcave form. The aspheric positive lens L 218  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 219  has a biconvex form. The positive lens L 220  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 221  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric negative lens L 222  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 223  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 224  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 225  has a planoconvex form that has a plane surface oriented toward the second object  102  side.  
         [0109]     The second deflective reflector FM 2  is arranged between the lens unit L 2 A and the lens unit L 2 B of the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . The present embodiment makes the second deflective reflector FM 2  of a plane mirror for deflecting the light reflected from the first deflective reflector FM 1  in a predetermined direction.  
         [0110]     The aperture stop  103  is arranged between the aspheric positive lens L 219  and the positive lens L 220 .  
         [0111]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the second embodiment uses a projection magnification of ¼, a reference wavelength of 157 nm, and calcium fluoride as a glass material. An image-side numerical aperture is NA=0.80. An object-image distance (the first object  101  surface to the second object  102  surface) is L=1051.59 mm. An aberration-corrected object point in a range of about 7.50 to 20.25 mm secures a rectangular exposure area of at least 26 mm long and 8 mm wide.  
         [0112]      FIG. 5  shows a lateral aberration diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the second embodiment.  FIG. 5  shows a wavelength with a reference wavelength of 157.6 nm±0.6 pm. Understandably, monochrome and chromatic aberrations are satisfactorily corrected.  FIG. 5A  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 7.5 mm in the second object  102 . On the other hand,  FIG. 5B  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 20.25 mm in the second object  102 .  
         [0113]     The following Table 2 shows the specification of the numerical example of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the second embodiment. Symbols in the table are the same as in table 1, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.  
                                                           TABLE 2                           DISTANCE FROM FIRST OBJECT˜FIRST       SURFACE: 69.87426 mm                        LENS           i   ri   di   MATERIAL                        1   668.40243   20.22118   caf2           2   −909.99969   20.15953       3   −278.78157   41.82957   caf2       4   −226.53067   306.96914       5   −9013.50255   21.17315   caf2       6   227.11071   14.30268       7   252.59236   32.41133   caf2       8   3060.02052   91.62181       9   −251.66991   20.06219   caf2       10   −657.64908   16.70481       11   −298.52631   20.01564   caf2       12   −1155.92042   27.46979       13   −277.46695   −27.46979       M1       14   −1155.92042   −20.01564   caf2       15   −298.52631   −16.70481       16   −657.64908   −20.06219   caf2       17   −251.66991   −91.62181       18   3060.02052   −32.41133   caf2       19   252.59236   −14.30268       20   22.11071   −21.17315   caf2       21   −9013.50255   −292.82106       22   0.00000   144.98564       FM1       23   504.78955   42.62735   caf2       24   −475.98929   158.10011       25   −803.47768   40.00000   caf2       26   −340.39441   99.24315       27   0.00000   −200.01742       FM2       28   627.21306   −24.57765   caf2       29   275.15619   −2.32909       30   434.05214   −17.83341   caf2       31   −685.95720   −1.00000       32   −266.06165   −40.00000   caf2       33   −236.39777   −98.47464       34   −201.23101   −52.61738   caf2       35   998.68752   −20.80028       36   428.05968   −23.38703   caf2       37   −330.13594   −34.04513       38   −398.32107   −20.33655   caf2       39   −1741.28350   −24.68386       40   −465.91801   −68.95155   caf2       41   214.11384   28.60841       42   0.00000   −46.19472       APERTURE STOP       43   2389.68736   −67.41845   caf2       44   666.87372   −1.01683       45   −213.66192   −44.46924   caf2       46   954.85885   −1.01683       47   −795.17615   −20.28664   caf2       48   −550.11819   −3.06249       49   −349.24693   −17.50613   caf2       50   −16687.89701   −2.30561       51   −925.70468   −24.79031   caf2       52   −47751.77910   −1.01683       53   −190.68875   −45.82729   caf2       54   0.00000   −9.99596                 L = 1051.59 mm            β = ¼           NA = 0.80            |β1/NAO| = 6.11            |β1 · βf/NAO| = 8.15            |β1| = 1.222            a/b = 0.00088            b/c = 0.470             
 
         [0114]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ASPHERICAL SURFACES 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 K 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 1.84472719 
                 −4.28737069E−09 
                 −4.41427710E−14 
                 8.11274173E−18 
               
               
                 6 
                 −0.27189589 
                 −4.22360534E−09 
                 −3.66149757E−13 
                 −5.21688557E−18 
               
               
                 10 
                 0.49938484 
                 −6.02516745E−09 
                 1.48782891E−13 
                 −9.03391986e−019 
               
               
                 16 
                 0.49938484 
                 −6.02516745E−09 
                 1.48782891E−13 
                 9.03391986E−19 
               
               
                 20 
                 −0.27189589 
                 −4.22360534E−09 
                 −3.66149757E−13 
                 −5.21688557E−18 
               
               
                 23 
                 0.79344720 
                 −9.58055891E−09 
                 −1.44694100E−13 
                 1.99136296E−17 
               
               
                 25 
                 0.38159869 
                 −7.27012352E−09 
                 7.67976427E−14 
                 −2.01234702E−19 
               
               
                 32 
                 −0.46697051 
                 −2.04044049E−08 
                 3.74018192E−13 
                 −1.16647192E−17 
               
               
                 34 
                 −0.53480624 
                 2.26188296E−08 
                 2.79329047E−13 
                 1.85357176E−17 
               
               
                 39 
                 −1.08351559 
                 −3.95543216E−08 
                 2.30977379E−13 
                 9.83209623E−18 
               
               
                 41 
                 −0.95966217 
                 −1.45575701E−08 
                 7.81477775E−13 
                 −3.03683767E−17 
               
               
                 47 
                 −0.95442908 
                 5.47250405E−08 
                 4.34318997E−21 
                 −2.78298594E−16 
               
               
                 51 
                 −1.96075510 
                 −9.49376715E−08 
                 −3.00111451E−12 
                 5.98641043E−16 
               
               
                 53 
                 −1.17537128 
                 −1.33444944E−08 
                 4.64806503E−12 
                 −2.23525496E−16 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
                 G 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 −2.07377580E−21 
                 2.14738504E−25 
                 −1.19376730E−29 
                 3.39039856E−34 
               
               
                 6 
                 1.44705561E−21 
                 −1.96777906E−25 
                 1.14310793E−29 
                 −2.72077599E−34 
               
               
                 10 
                 −3.13004905E−24 
                 2.20935958E−26 
                 −1.66002358E−30 
                 5.39928337E−35 
               
               
                 16 
                 −3.13004905E−24 
                 2.20935958E−26 
                 −1.66002358E−30 
                 5.39928337E−35 
               
               
                 20 
                 1.44705561E−21 
                 −1.96777906E−25 
                 1.14310793E−29 
                 −2.72077599E−34 
               
               
                 23 
                 −1.84064584E−21 
                 1.07963092E−25 
                 −3.78934188E−30 
                 5.69453371E−35 
               
               
                 25 
                 9.84789574E−23 
                 −7.73186611E−27 
                 2.70919906E−31 
                 −5.25476041E−36 
               
               
                 32 
                 3.68781098E−22 
                 7.76457500E−28 
                 −3.63007208E−31 
                 1.53597787E−35 
               
               
                 34 
                 2.89666734E−22 
                 −2.25156851E−26 
                 2.54901422E−30 
                 −1.14638254E−34 
               
               
                 39 
                 1.67679893E−22 
                 −2.86823967E−26 
                 −6.87337289E−31 
                 9.61735989E−36 
               
               
                 41 
                 1.39961175E−21 
                 −5.53226831E−26 
                 1.81465248E−30 
                 −2.39708052E−35 
               
               
                 47 
                 −1.07107681E−20 
                 1.28989008E−24 
                 −2.57193395E−29 
                 −6.39379334E−34 
               
               
                 51 
                 −2.74686808E−20 
                 7.84557981E−24 
                 −8.32541969E−28 
                 6.57146205E−32 
               
               
                 53 
                 −2.70340899E−19 
                 1.28545363E−23 
                 −1.76779835E−27 
                 −1.06366211E−30 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Third Embodiment  
       [0115]      FIG. 6  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the third embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the catadioptric projection optical system  100  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a first imaging optical system Gr 1  and a second imaging optical system Gr 2 .  
         [0116]     The first imaging optical system Gr 1  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a lens unit L 1 A having a positive refractive power, a reciprocating optical system (part) L 1 B having a negative refractive power, and a concave mirror M 1 .  
         [0117]     The lens unit L 1 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first object  101 , an aspheric positive lens L 111  and a positive lens L 112 . The aspheric positive lens L 111  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The positive lens L 112  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the first object  101  side.  
         [0118]     The reciprocating optical system L 1 B includes an aspheric negative lens L 113 , a positive lens L 114 , an aspheric negative lens L 115 , a negative lens L 116 , and a concave mirror M 1 . The aspheric negative lens L 113  has a biconcave form. The positive lens L 114  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The aspheric negative lens L 115  has a meniscus form that has a concave mirror oriented toward the first object  101  side. The negative lens L 116  has a meniscus form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The concave mirror M 1  has a concave form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side.  
         [0119]     The light from the first object  101  passes through the lens unit L 1 A, enters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B, is reflected at the concave mirror M 1 , and reenters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. Then, a deflective reflector FM 1  deflects the optical axis AX 1  to the optical axis AX 2  by 90°. The light is also reflected, and an intermediate image IMG is formed.  
         [0120]     The first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . Preferably, as in the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the intermediate image IMG and the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. In the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  uses a flat mirror.  
         [0121]     The second imaging optical system Gr 2  includes a lens unit L 2 A having a positive refractive power and a lens unit L 2 B having a positive refractive power.  
         [0122]     The lens unit L 2 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , an aspheric positive lens L 211  and an aspheric positive lens L 212 . The aspheric positive lens L 211  has a biconvex form. The aspheric positive lens L 212  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the intermediate image IMG side.  
         [0123]     The lens unit L 2 B includes a positive lens L 213 , a negative lens L 214 , an aspheric positive lens L 215 , an aspheric positive lens L 216 , a negative lens L 217 , an aspheric positive lens L 218 , an aperture stop  103 , an aspheric positive lens L 219 , a positive lens L 220 , a positive lens L 221 , an aspheric positive lens L 222 , a positive lens L 223 , an aspheric positive lens L 224 , and an aspheric positive lens L 225 . The positive lens L 213  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The negative lens L 214  has a biconcave form. The aspheric positive lens L 215  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 216  has a biconvex form. The negative lens L 217  has an approximately planoconcave form that has a concave surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 218  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 219  has a biconvex form. The positive lens L 220  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 221  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 222  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 223  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 224  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 225  has a planoconvex form that has a plane surface oriented toward the second object  102  side.  
         [0124]     The second deflective reflector FM 2  is arranged between the lens unit L 2 A and the lens unit L 2 B of the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . The present embodiment makes the second deflective reflector FM 2  of a plane mirror for deflecting the light reflected from the first deflective reflector FM 1  in a predetermined direction.  
         [0125]     The aperture stop  103  is arranged between the aspheric positive lens L 218  and the aspheric positive lens L 219 .  
         [0126]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the third embodiment uses a projection magnification of ¼, a reference wavelength of 157 nm, and calcium fluoride as a glass material. An image-side numerical aperture is NA=0.80. An object-image distance (the first object  101  surface to the second object  102  surface) is L=983.40 mm. An aberration-corrected object point in a range of about 7.50 to 20.25 mm secures a rectangular exposure area of at least 26 mm long and 8 mm wide.  
         [0127]      FIG. 7  shows a lateral aberration diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the third embodiment.  FIG. 7  shows a wavelength with a reference wavelength of 157.6 nm±0.6 pm. Understandably, monochrome and chromatic aberrations are satisfactorily corrected.  FIG. 7A  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 7.5 mm in the second object  102 . On the other hand,  FIG. 7B  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 20.25 mm in the second object  102 .  
         [0128]     The following Table 3 shows the specification of the numerical example of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the third embodiment. Symbols in the table are the same as in Table 1, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.  
                                                           TABLE 3                           DISTANCE FROM FIRST OBJECT˜FIRST       SURFACE: 40.13403 mm                        LENS           i   ri   di   MATERIAL                    1   260.11007   20.22118   caf2           2   883.38340   28.09241       3   −591.69377   15.01918   caf2       4   −368.85812   275.56936       5   −637.38698   17.50000   caf2       6   247.67865   10.07938       7   235.57254   26.31032   caf2       8   3135.07017   78.00000       9   −197.51950   20.09812   caf2       10   −356.26642   10.74741       11   −321.57746   20.31945   caf2       12   −1046.94074   32.68661       13   −269.59967   −32.68661       M1       14   −1046.94074   −20.31945   caf2       15   −321.57746   −10.74741       16   −356.26642   −20.09812   caf2       17   −197.51950   −78.00000       18   3135.07017   −26.31032   caf2       19   235.57254   −10.07938       20   247.67865   −17.50000   caf2       21   −637.38698   −235.06352       22   0.00000   154.78510       FM1       23   412.53248   53.86090   caf2       24   −454.52997   71.16043       25   −247.59332   27.54356   caf2       26   −183.91506   181.23623       27   0.00000   −210.98345       FM2       28   3767.23604   −39.78178   caf2       29   277.50559   −3.63851       30   292.85727   −29.63790   caf2       31   −458.45291   −1.33883       32   −246.79815   −39.85383   caf2       33   −311.59024   −68.58748       34   −235.53718   −52.59735   caf2       35   467.79877   −16.47474       36   245.94544   −23.38703   caf2       37   −2118.42723   −7.42790       38   −493.38965   −20.33655   caf2       39   −516.74517   −17.40457       40   0.00000   7.00000       APERTURE STOP       41   −316.79913   −70.00000   caf2       42   273.85870   −1.51310       43   6275.38113   −69.81106   caf2       44   449.01624   −1.01683       45   −286.22645   −48.61231   caf2       46   −3757.65238   −1.01683       47   −300.84255   −21.04400   caf2       48   −1531.14490   −1.21708       49   −447.05091   −17.57713   caf2       50   −913.33797   −3.39970       51   −417.01084   −21.41824   caf2       52   −42099.53696   −1.01683       53   −233.68723   −47.62945   caf2       54   0.00000   −9.70059                 L = 983.40 mm            β = ¼           NA = 0.80            |β1/NAO| = 5.13            |β1 · βf/NAO| = 8.25            |β1| = 1.025            a/b = 0.0455            b/c = 0.518             
 
         [0129]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ASPHERICAL SURFACES 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 K 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 0.49697074 
                 −2.67716672E−09 
                 −1.74309788E−13 
                 −2.09170434E−17 
               
               
                 6 
                 1.41328830 
                 2.07799210E−09 
                 −4.26185978E−13 
                 −1.25267670E−17 
               
               
                 10 
                 0.46617565 
                 −6.84466829E−09 
                 4.50692462E−14 
                 1.72893414E−18 
               
               
                 16 
                 0.46617565 
                 −6.84466829E−09 
                 4.50692462E−14 
                 1.72893414E−18 
               
               
                 20 
                 1.41328830 
                 2.07799210E−09 
                 −4.26185978E−13 
                 −1.25267670E−17 
               
               
                 23 
                 −1.99692838 
                 −1.46408021E−08 
                 1.07386812E−13 
                 −6.57916448E−18 
               
               
                 25 
                 0.94768025 
                 −6.48013865E−09 
                 1.29506074E−13 
                 4.41070720E−18 
               
               
                 32 
                 −0.53069421 
                 −2.29496734E−08 
                 1.46540612E−13 
                 −9.48243024E−18 
               
               
                 34 
                 −0.58592559 
                 2.27047629E−08 
                 3.72962833E−13 
                 1.78675689E−17 
               
               
                 39 
                 −1.99829606 
                 −4.02933770E−08 
                 2.28490744E−13 
                 7.09139430E−18 
               
               
                 42 
                 −0.94509911 
                 −1.45135015E−08 
                 7.57078652E−13 
                 −3.77421659E−17 
               
               
                 47 
                 −0.10298455 
                 5.88225502E−08 
                 3.64981480E−12 
                 −2.36226284E−16 
               
               
                 51 
                 1.94997831 
                 −8.00801793E−08 
                 −2.73886338E−12 
                 1.03434118E−15 
               
               
                 53 
                 1.64235579 
                 −5.98172801E−08 
                 1.56058112E−14 
                 −1.19221610E−15 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
                 G 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 5.18497263E−21 
                 −3.60189028E−25 
                 −2.65126620E−30 
                 8.30507568E−34 
               
               
                 6 
                 1.97675878E−21 
                 −4.91077476E−25 
                 3.61319930E−29 
                 −1.06824258E−33 
               
               
                 10 
                 9.58499269E−23 
                 1.84965678E−26 
                 −1.35380227E−30 
                 8.38070131E−35 
               
               
                 16 
                 9.58499269E−23 
                 1.84965678E−26 
                 −1.35380227E−30 
                 8.38070131E−35 
               
               
                 20 
                 1.97675878E−21 
                 −4.91077476E−25 
                 3.61319930E−29 
                 −1.06824258E−33 
               
               
                 23 
                 −9.13728385E−22 
                 6.08826931E−26 
                 −1.87726545E−30 
                 −1.11307008E−35 
               
               
                 25 
                 1.23647754E−22 
                 5.82476981E−27 
                 −5.35142438E−32 
                 1.80315832E−35 
               
               
                 32 
                 −6.38425458E−23 
                 2.33580442E−26 
                 −1.42562786E−30 
                 3.23706771E−35 
               
               
                 34 
                 4.66470849E−22 
                 −3.26187824E−26 
                 2.87894208E−30 
                 −1.29130160E−34 
               
               
                 39 
                 1.77831564E−22 
                 −9.56219011E−26 
                 2.37030856E−30 
                 −3.53254917E−35 
               
               
                 42 
                 1.72360268E−21 
                 −5.67160176E−26 
                 2.05866748E−30 
                 −4.37198713E−35 
               
               
                 47 
                 −1.97220610E−20 
                 2.18183279E−24 
                 −1.06203934E−28 
                 3.10574248E−33 
               
               
                 51 
                 −8.68250406E−21 
                 2.25723562E−24 
                 3.04027040E−28 
                 −7.08468501E−32 
               
               
                 53 
                 −1.80303110E−19 
                 6.84072538E−23 
                 −1.99950230E−26 
                 2.10385493E−30 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Fourth Embodiment  
       [0130]      FIG. 8  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the fourth embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the catadioptric projection optical system  100  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a first imaging optical system Gr 1  and a second imaging optical system Gr 2 .  
         [0131]     The first imaging optical system Gr 1  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a lens unit L 1 A having a positive refractive power, a reciprocating optical system (part) L 1 B having a negative refractive power, and a concave mirror M 1 .  
         [0132]     The lens unit L 1 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first object  101 , an positive lens L 111  and a positive lens L 112 . The positive lens L 111  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The positive lens L 112  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side.  
         [0133]     The reciprocating optical system L 1 B includes an negative lens L 113 , an aspheric positive lens L 114 , an aspheric negative lens L 115 , a negative lens L 116 , and a concave mirror M 1 . The negative lens L 113  has a meniscus form that has a concave surface oriented toward a side opposite to the first object  101  side. The aspheric positive lens L 114  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The aspheric negative lens L 115  has a meniscus form that has a concave mirror oriented toward the first object  101  side. The negative lens L 116  has a meniscus form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The concave mirror M 1  has a concave form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side.  
         [0134]     The light from the first object  101  passes through the lens unit L 1 A, enters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B, is reflected at the concave mirror M 1 , and reenters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. Then, a deflective reflector FM 1  deflects the optical axis AX 1  to the optical axis AX 2  by 90°. The light is also reflected, and an intermediate image IMG is formed.  
         [0135]     The first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . Preferably, as in the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the intermediate image IMG and the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. In the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  uses a flat mirror.  
         [0136]     The second imaging optical system Gr 2  includes a lens unit L 2 A having a positive refractive power and a lens unit L 2 B having a positive refractive power.  
         [0137]     The lens unit L 2 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , an aspheric positive lens L 211  and a positive lens L 212 . The aspheric positive lens L 211  has a biconvex form. The positive lens L 212  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the intermediate image IMG side.  
         [0138]     The lens unit L 2 B includes a positive lens L 213 , a negative lens L 214 , a positive lens L 215 , an aspheric positive lens L 216 , a positive lens L 217 , an aperture stop  103 , an aspheric positive lens L 218 , an aspheric positive lens L 219 , a positive lens L 220 , a positive lens L 221 , an aspheric positive lens L 222 , a positive lens L 223 , and an aspheric positive lens L 224 . The positive lens L 213  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The negative lens L 214  has a biconcave form. The positive lens L 215  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 216  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 217  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 218  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 219  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 220  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 221  has biconvex form. The aspheric positive lens L 222  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 223  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 224  has a planoconvex form that has a plane surface oriented toward the second object  102  side.  
         [0139]     A space between the final lens (aspheric positive lens L 224 ) and the second object  102  is filled with a fluid (so-called immersion structure).  
         [0140]     The second deflective reflector FM 2  is arranged between the lens unit L 2 A and the lens unit L 2 B of the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . The present embodiment makes the second deflective reflector FM 2  of a plane mirror for deflecting the light reflected from the first deflective reflector FM 1  in a predetermined direction.  
         [0141]     The aperture stop  103  is arranged between the positive lens L 217  and the aspheric positive lens L 218 .  
         [0142]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the fourth embodiment uses a projection magnification of ¼, a reference wavelength of 193.0 nm, and quartz as a glass material. An image-side numerical aperture is NA=0.80. An object-image distance (the first object  101  surface to the second object  102  surface) is L=915.44 mm. An aberration-corrected object point in a range of about 7.50 to 20.25 mm secures a rectangular exposure area of at least 26 mm long and 8 mm wide.  
         [0143]      FIG. 9  shows a lateral aberration diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the fourth embodiment.  FIG. 9  shows a wavelength with a reference wavelength of 193.0 nm±0.2 pm. Understandably, monochrome and chromatic aberrations are satisfactorily corrected.  FIG. 9A  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 7.5 mm in the second object  102 . On the other hand,  FIG. 9B  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 20.25 mm in the second object  102 .  
         [0144]     The following Table 4 shows the specification of the numerical example of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the first embodiment. Symbols in the table are the same as in table 1, and thus a description thereof will be omitted. A lens glass material SiO 2  has a refractive index to a reference wavelength λ=193.000 nm is 1.5609. The refractive indexes of the wavelengths of +0.2 pm and −0.2 pm for the reference wavelength are, 1.56089968 and 1.56090032, respectively. A water used for the fluid has a refractive index to a reference wavelength λ=193.000 nm is 1.437. The refractive indexes of the wavelengths of +0.2 pm and −0.2 pm for the reference wavelength are, 1.43699958 and 1.43700042, respectively.  
                                                           TABLE 4                           DISTANCE FROM FIRST OBJECT˜FIRST       SURFACE: 41.84296 mm                        LENS           i   ri   di   MATERIAL                        1   251.59420   20.22118   sio2           2   243.48822   9.84632       3   358.30042   41.97093   sio2       4   −826.58003   186.17213       5   329.32922   40.00000   sio2       6   143.12035   12.09278       7   185.32312   33.31445   sio2       8   608.10743   78.73433       9   −184.71011   20.00249   sio2       10   −920.52825   18.20389       11   −315.68485   20.04265   sio2       12   −456.66387   47.02968       13   −279.88964   −47.02968       M1       14   −456.66387   −20.04265   sio2       15   −315.68485   −18.20389       16   −920.52825   −20.00249   sio2       17   −184.71011   −78.73433       18   608.10743   −33.31445   sio2       19   185.32312   −12.09278       20   143.12035   −40.00000   sio2       21   329.32922   −172.02999       22   0.00000   188.25827       FM1       23   473.33384   34.33669   sio2       24   −739.09171   1.01738       25   731.11616   48.81832   sio2′       26   −1563.77042   258.82118       27   0.00000   −182.46588       FM2       28   −240.94433   −34.30165   sio2       29   −1065.13094   −26.47287       30   521.68433   −19.11929   sio2       31   −217.81409   −36.69391       32   −197.66602   −26.16167   sio2       33   −301.60112   −73.74535       34   −213.68730   −41.82786   sio2       35   −1000.34292   −59.71802       36   185.13199   −23.38703   sio2       37   192.85517   37.83182       38   0.00000   −39.77435       APERTURE STOP       39   −235.83972   −20.33655   sio2       40   −315.29313   −2.87277       41   −195.62209   −58.03235   sio2       42   942.91191   −8.33243       43   −278.04337   −21.50296   sio2       44   −572.88386   −1.01683       45   −292.77418   −54.84288   sio2       46   1018.86198   −1.01683       47   −507.84505   −20.00707   sio2       48   −2582.58474   −2.79080       49   −249.45727   −23.09053   sio2       50   −604.76780   −1.01683       51   −450.35036   −45.52619   sio2       52   0.00000   −1.19394   Water                 L = 915.44 mm            β = ¼           NA = 0.90            |β1/NAO| = 5.16            |β1 · βf/NAO| = 6.90            |β1| = 1.162            a/b = 0.0253            b/c = 0.498             
 
         [0145]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ASPHERICAL SURFACES 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 K 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 7 
                 0.78454747 
                 −1.25957857E−08 
                 4.07416778E−14 
                 1.60264482E−17 
               
               
                 10 
                 −1.69530309 
                 −1.16691839E−08 
                 2.52376221E−13 
                 −1.14340875E−17 
               
               
                 16 
                 −1.69530309 
                 −1.16691839E−08 
                 2.52376221E−13 
                 −1.14340875E−17 
               
               
                 19 
                 0.78454747 
                 −1.25957857E−08 
                 4.07416778E−14 
                 1.60264482E−17 
               
               
                 23 
                 1.91351250 
                 −9.28170033E−09 
                 4.03659464E−14 
                 −1.09106530E−18 
               
               
                 34 
                 −0.35639497 
                 1.37284322E−08 
                 1.44579038E−13 
                 1.11740815E−17 
               
               
                 40 
                 1.12861801 
                 −3.75383265E−08 
                 −3.76644963E−13 
                 −8.84893402E−18 
               
               
                 42 
                 −0.87144860 
                 −1.46351053E−08 
                 5.28358771E−13 
                 −3.55174719E−17 
               
               
                 47 
                 −2.01574807 
                 3.61452387E−08 
                 5.16275766E−13 
                 −5.59629177E−16 
               
               
                 51 
                 0.25620569 
                 −1.28187111E−07 
                 1.11639829E−11 
                 5.88022359E−15 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
                 G 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 7 
                 −8.64081009E−22 
                 2.39680139E−25 
                 −1.80684184E−29 
                 9.97335348E−34 
               
               
                 10 
                 3.89781033E−22 
                 8.43163310E−26 
                 −8.08653944E−30 
                 3.19305500E−34 
               
               
                 16 
                 3.89781033E−22 
                 8.43163310E−26 
                 −8.08653944E−30 
                 3.19305500E−34 
               
               
                 19 
                 −8.64081009E−22 
                 2.39680139E−25 
                 −1.80684184E−29 
                 9.97335348E−34 
               
               
                 23 
                 1.57395693E−23 
                 −6.98047575E−28 
                 2.79305776E−32 
                 −5.57070437E−37 
               
               
                 34 
                 9.37934698E−23 
                 7.62030685E−27 
                 2.35260178E−32 
                 1.15757755E−35 
               
               
                 40 
                 5.33508782E−23 
                 2.65574298E−26 
                 −2.21137735E−30 
                 1.37041063E−34 
               
               
                 42 
                 1.34842682E−21 
                 −5.75318986E−26 
                 7.02828620E−31 
                 −2.41667856E−35 
               
               
                 47 
                 5.11980199E−20 
                 −3.67799347E−24 
                 2.24192126E−28 
                 −7.90964159E−33 
               
               
                 51 
                 −1.38085824E−18 
                 5.33988181E−22 
                 −8.31631159E−26 
                 4.49781606E−30 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Fifth Embodiment  
       [0146]      FIG. 10  is an optical-path diagram showing a configuration of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the fifth embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the catadioptric projection optical system  100  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a first imaging optical system Gr 1  and a second imaging optical system Gr 2 .  
         [0147]     The first imaging optical system Gr 1  includes, in order from the first object  101  side, a lens unit L 1 A having a positive refractive power, a reciprocating optical system (part) L 1 B having a negative refractive power, and a concave mirror M 1 .  
         [0148]     The lens unit L 1 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first object  101 , an positive lens L 111  and a negative lens L 112 . The positive lens L 111  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The negative lens L 112  has a meniscus form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side.  
         [0149]     The reciprocating optical system L 1 B includes a negative lens L 113 , an aspheric positive lens L 114 , an aspheric negative lens L 115 , a positive lens L 116 , and a concave mirror M 1 . The negative lens L 113  has a meniscus form that has a concave surface oriented toward a side opposite to the first object  101  side. The aspheric positive lens L 114  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the first object  101  side. The aspheric negative lens L 115  has a meniscus form that has a concave mirror oriented toward the first object  101  side. The positive lens L 116  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the first object  101  side. The concave mirror M 1  has a concave form that has a concave surface oriented toward the first object  101  side.  
         [0150]     The light from the first object  101  passes through the lens unit L 1 A, enters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B, is reflected at the concave mirror M 1 , and reenters the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. Then, a deflective reflector FM 1  deflects the optical axis AX 1  to the optical axis AX 2  by 90°. The light is also reflected, and an intermediate image IMG is formed.  
         [0151]     The first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the first imaging optical system Gr 1  and the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . Preferably, as in the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  is arranged between the intermediate image IMG and the reciprocating optical system L 1 B. In the instant embodiment, the first deflective reflector FM 1  uses a flat mirror.  
         [0152]     The second imaging optical system Gr 2  includes a lens unit L 2 A having a positive refractive power and a lens unit L 2 B having a positive refractive power.  
         [0153]     The lens unit L 2 A includes, along the light traveling direction from the side of the first imaging optical system Gr 1 , a positive lens L 211 , a positive lens L 212 , and a positive lens L 213 . The positive lens L 211  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the intermediate image IMG side. The positive lens L 212  has a biconvex form. The positive lens L 213  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward the intermediate image IMG.  
         [0154]     The lens unit L 2 B includes a positive lens L 214 , an aspheric negative lens L 215 , an aspheric negative lens L 216 , a negative lens L 217 , an aspheric positive lens L 218 , a positive lens L 219 , a positive lens L 220 , a positive lens L 221 , a positive lens L 222 , an aperture stop  103 , a positive lens L 223 , an aspheric positive lens L 224 , an aspheric positive lens L 225 , an aspheric positive lens L 226 , and a positive lens L 227 . The positive lens L 214  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric negative lens L 215  has an approximately planoconcave form that has a concave surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric negative lens L 216  has an approximately planoconcave form that has a concave surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The negative lens L 217  has a meniscus form that has a concave surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 218  has a biconvex form. The positive lens L 219  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 220  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 221  has a meniscus form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 222  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 223  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 224  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 225  has a planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The aspheric positive lens L 226  has an approximately planoconvex form that has a convex surface oriented toward a side opposite to the second object  102  side. The positive lens L 227  has a planoconvex form that has a plane surface oriented toward the second object  102 .  
         [0155]     A space between the final lens (positive lens L 227 ) and the second object  102  is filled with a fluid (so-called immersion structure).  
         [0156]     The second deflective reflector FM 2  is arranged between the lens unit L 2 A and the lens unit L 2 B of the second imaging optical system Gr 2 . The present embodiment makes the second deflective reflector FM 2  of a plane mirror for deflecting the light reflected from the first deflective reflector FM 1  in a predetermined direction.  
         [0157]     The aperture stop  103  is arranged between the positive lens L 222  and the positive lens L 223 .  
         [0158]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the fifth embodiment uses a projection magnification of ¼, a reference wavelength of 193.0 nm, and quartz as a glass material. An image-side numerical aperture is NA=0.80. An object-image distance (the first object  101  surface to the second object  102  surface) is L=1166.42 mm. An aberration-corrected object point in a range of about 11.25 to 17.00 mm secures a rectangular exposure area of at least 21 mm long and 4 mm wide.  
         [0159]      FIG. 11  shows a lateral aberration diagram of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the fifth embodiment.  FIG. 11  shows a wavelength with a reference wavelength of 193.0 nm±0.2 pm. Understandably, monochrome and chromatic aberrations are satisfactorily corrected.  FIG. 11A  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 11.25 mm in the second object  102 . On the other hand,  FIG. 11B  shows a lateral aberration diagram for light from an off-axis area that has an image point of 17.00 mm in the second object  102 .  
         [0160]     The following Table 5 shows the specification of the numerical example of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the fifth embodiment. Symbols in the table are the same as in table 1, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.  
                                                           TABLE 5                           DISTANCE FROM FIRST OBJECT˜FIRST       SURFACE: 20.37598 mm                        LENS           i   ri   di   MATERIAL                        1   203.00558   20.22118   sio2           2   576.42020   14.80008       3   −492.33864   57.61062   sio2       4   −526.89874   112.12301       5   400.38641   33.18363   sio2       6   201.39136   2.79467       7   177.53838   45.87089   sio2       8   202.59248   85.13856       9   −160.17813   57.47088   sio2       10   −803.98029   21.47386       11   −1171.17073   26.20406   sio2       12   −703.25100   44.88514       13   −314.40159   −44.88514       M1       14   −703.25100   −26.20406   sio2       15   −1171.17073   −21.47386       16   −803.98029   −57.47088   sio2       17   −160.17813   −85.13856       18   202.59248   −45.87089   sio2       19   177.53838   −2.79467       20   201.39136   −33.18363   sio2       21   400.38641   −97.99940       22   0.00000   365.16653       FM1       23   −1280.64351   40.58289   sio2       24   −379.84384   11.58554       25   1547.35845   39.14892   sio2       26   −1431.76874   1.00000       27   574.67919   32.54781   sio2       28   1969.61290   250.00000       29   0.00000   −180.80702       FM2       30   −300.68406   −64.71536   sio2       31   −976.37471   −32.95024       32   703.10781   −64.17712   sio2       33   −1053.02053   −53.71712       34   −1997.89113   −17.93765   sio2       35   −237.29539   −16.96307       36   −313.87481   −57.13426   sio2       37   −260.11951   −58.07893       38   −600.89121   −48.56435   sio2       39   933.94372   −1.44638       40   1985.09422   −36.16253   sio2       41   819.94206   −1.34286       42   1225.43863   −30.25000   sio2       43   612.20246   −1.05175       44   −367.67108   −30.25000   sio2       45   −453.12488   −11.50209       46   −576.95966   −32.31916   sio2       47   −1332.57952   −14.20687       48   0.00000   5.00000       APERTURE STOP       49   −430.84671   −53.36681   sio2       50   −2851.31825   −1.06630       51   −236.30209   −69.58186   sio2       52   −852.44456   −7.43427       53   −314.08005   −44.77623   sio2       54   −987.20660   −1.60092       55   −132.17304   −44.26445   sio2       56   −369.26131   −1.00000       57   −108.19410   −66.62369   sio2       58   0.00000   −0.99904   Water                 L = 1166.42 mm            β = ¼           NA = 1.20            |β1/NAO| = 4.01            |β1 · βf/NAO| = 10.51            |β1| = 1.203            a/b = 0.104            b/c = 0.577             
 
         [0161]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ASPHERICAL SURFACES 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 i 
                 K 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 7 
                 −0.56708348 
                 −1.31719659E−08 
                 −1.38388173E−13 
                 −2.47831946E−17 
               
               
                 10 
                 −13.33200814 
                 −9.98967074E−09 
                 −6.02618482E−16 
                 −9.03597109E−19 
               
               
                 16 
                 −13.33200814 
                 −9.98967074E−09 
                 −6.02618482E−16 
                 −9.03597109E−19 
               
               
                 19 
                 −0.56708348 
                 −1.31719659E−08 
                 −1.38388173E−13 
                 −2.47831946E−17 
               
               
                 33 
                 −77.72620869 
                 −2.03919978E−09 
                 6.40857136E−14 
                 −6.89800197E−18 
               
               
                 34 
                 −2.83174721E+02 
                 8.59748788E−09 
                 −4.12255760E−13 
                 7.77740998E−19 
               
               
                 38 
                 0.93134956 
                 7.07462568E−09 
                 1.56091721E−13 
                 −2.38211794E−18 
               
               
                 51 
                 −0.16647817 
                 1.74765770E−09 
                 −1.90710275E−14 
                 1.10302904E−18 
               
               
                 53 
                 0.42251528 
                 −1.33193559E−08 
                 4.51898986E−13 
                 −1.24500113E−17 
               
               
                 56 
                 −4.33626161 
                 −2.90218160E−08 
                 −3.59874568E−12 
                 2.53930041E−16 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 i 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
                 G 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 7 
                 −5.00662897E−22 
                 −4.72939474E−26 
                 5.14339140E−30 
                 −5.84124586E−34 
               
               
                 10 
                 −5.31852156E−23 
                 −6.85075303E−28 
                 1.03915994E−31 
                 −2.53424475E−36 
               
               
                 16 
                 −5.31852156E−23 
                 −6.85075303E−28 
                 1.03915994E−31 
                 −2.53424475E−36 
               
               
                 19 
                 −5.00662897E−22 
                 −4.72939474E−26 
                 5.14339140E−30 
                 −5.84124586E−34 
               
               
                 33 
                 2.87151959E−22 
                 −1.54013967E−26 
                 4.08972948E−31 
                 −4.56093909E−36 
               
               
                 34 
                 1.09134502E−22 
                 −1.56040402E−26 
                 4.87756567E−31 
                 −5.08642891E−36 
               
               
                 38 
                 4.34686480E−23 
                 4.31971356E−27 
                 −1.83352981E−31 
                 3.33797362E−36 
               
               
                 51 
                 3.72407626E−23 
                 −1.05704225E−27 
                 −2.90604508E−32 
                 7.35125593E−37 
               
               
                 53 
                 1.91257401E−22 
                 −8.53376614E−27 
                 7.37781006E−31 
                 −1.36248923E−35 
               
               
                 56 
                 −2.38856441E−20 
                 7.39620837E−25 
                 3.38342785E−29 
                 −4.02935536E−33 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0162]     The catadioptric projection optical system of the present invention reduces the incident angle and the incident angle range of light upon the deflective reflectors (optical path deflective mirror)and can easily control reflection film properties. Moreover, the catadioptric projection optical system of the present invention can obtain a large enough imaging area width with no light shielding at the pupil, and stably achieve the superior imaging performance. Especially, the influence to the imaging performance by reflection film properties that raises a problem at higher NA can be controlled. Moreover, the catadioptric projection optical system of the present invention avoids the interference between the light and the lens, reduces the incident angle range on the plane mirror, thus, achieves easiness of the control of reflection film properties. Additionally, the catadioptric projection optical system of the present invention controls the generation of chromatic coma aberration.  
         [0163]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a description will be given of an exposure apparatus  200  to which the catadioptric projection optical system  100  of the present invention is applied.  FIG. 12  is a schematic sectional view of an exposure apparatus  200  of one aspect according to the present invention.  
         [0164]     The exposure apparatus  200  is an immersion type exposure apparatus that exposes onto an object  240  a circuit pattern of a reticle  220  via a fluid WT supplied between a final lens surface at the object  240  side of a projection optical system  100  and the object  240  in a step-and-scan manner or step-and-repeat manner. Such an exposure apparatus is suitable for a sub-micron or quarter-micron lithography process. The instant embodiment exemplarily describes a step-and-scan exposure apparatus (which is also called “scanner”). “The step-and-scan manner”, as is used herein, is an exposure method that exposes a reticle pattern onto a wafer by continuously scanning the wafer relative to the reticle, and by moving, after a shot of exposure, the wafer stepwise to the next exposure area to be shot. “The step-and-repeat manner” is another mode of exposure method that moves a wafer stepwise to an exposure area for the next shot every short of cell projection.  
         [0165]     The exposure apparatus  200  includes, as shown in  FIG. 12 , an illumination apparatus  210 , a reticle stage  230 , the catadioptric projection optical system  100 , a wafer stage  250 , a fluid supply-recovery mechanism  260 , and a controller (not shown). The controller (not shown) can control and connects with the illumination apparatus  210 , the reticle stage  230 , the wafer stage  250 , and the fluid supply-recovery mechanism  260 .  
         [0166]     The illumination apparatus  210  illuminates the reticle  220  that forms the circuit pattern to be transferred, and includes a light source unit  212  and the illumination optical system  214 .  
         [0167]     The light source unit  212 , as an example, uses a light source such as ArF excimer laser with a wavelength of approximately 193 [nm] and KrF excimer laser with a wavelength of approximately 248 [nm]. However, the laser type is not limited to excimer lasers because for example, F 2  laser with a wavelength of approximately 157 [nm] and a YAG laser may be used. Similarly, the number of laser units is not limited. For example, two independently acting solid lasers would cause no coherence between these solid lasers and significantly reduces speckles resulting from the coherence. An optical system for reducing speckles may swing linearly or rotationally. A light source applicable for the light source unit  212  is not limited to a laser, and may use one or more lamps such as a mercury lamp and a xenon lamp.  
         [0168]     The illumination optical system  214  is an optical system that illuminates the reticle  220 , and includes a lens, a mirror, an optical integrator, a stop, and the like, for example, a condenser lens, an optical integrator, an aperture stop, a condenser lens, a slit, and an image-forming optical system in this order. The illumination optical system  214  can use any light regardless of whether it is on-axial or off-axial light. The optical integrator may include a fly-eye lens or an integrator formed by stacking two sets of cylindrical lens array plates (or lenticular lenses), and be replaced with an optical rod or a diffractive element.  
         [0169]     The reticle  220  is, for example, reflection or penetration reticle, and forms the circuit pattern to be transferred. The reticle  220  is supported and driven by the reticle stage  230 . Diffracted light emitted from the reticle  220  passes the catadioptric projection optical system  230  and is then projected onto the plate  540 . The reticle  220  and the object  240  are located in an optically conjugate relationship. Since the exposure apparatus  200  of the instant embodiment is a scanner, the reticle  220  and the object  240  are scanned at the speed of the reduction ratio. Thus, the pattern on the reticle  220  is transferred to the object  240 . If it is a step-and-repeat exposure apparatus (referred to as a “stepper”), the reticle  220  and the object  240  remain still in exposing the reticle pattern.  
         [0170]     The reticle stage  230  supports the reticle  220  via a reticle chuck (not shown), and is connected to a moving mechanism (not shown). The moving mechanism includes a linear motor, etc., and moves the reticle  220  by driving the reticle stage  230  at least in a direction X. The exposure apparatus  200  scans the reticle  220  and the object  240  synchronously by the controller (not shown). Here, X is a scan direction on the reticle  220  or the object  240 , Y is a direction perpendicular to it, and Z is a perpendicular direction to the surface of reticle  220  or the object  240 .  
         [0171]     The catadioptric projection optical system  100  is a catadioptric projection optical system that projects the pattern on the reticle  220  onto the image surface. The catadioptric projection optical system  100  can apply any embodiments as above-mentioned, and a detailed description will be omitted.  
         [0172]     The object  240  is, in the instant embodiment, a wafer, which includes a glass plate for the liquid crystal substrate and other objects. Photoresist is applied to the object  240 .  
         [0173]     The wafer stage  250  supports the object  240  via a wafer chuck (not shown). The wafer stage  250  moves the object  250  in X-Y-Z directions by using a linear motor similar to the reticle stage  230 . The positions of the reticle stage  230  and wafer stage  250  are monitored, for example, by a laser interferometer and the like, so that both are driven at a constant speed ratio. The wafer stage  250  is installed on a stage stool supported on the floor and the like, for example, via a dumper, and the reticle stage  230  and the catadioptric projection optical system  100  are installed on a lens barrel stool (not shown) supported, for example, via a dumper to the base frame placed on the floor.  
         [0174]     The fluid supply-recovery mechanism  260  supplies the fluid WT between the catadioptric projection optical system  100  and the object  240 , which in detail means between the final lens surface at the object  240  side of the catadioptric projection optical system  100  (optical element arranged on the object  240  side final edge of the catadioptric projection optical system  100 ) and recovers the supplied fluid WT. In other words, the space formed on the catadioptric projection optical system  100  and the surface of the object  240  is filled with the fluid WT supplied from the fluid supply-recovery mechanism  260 . The fluid WT is, in the instant embodiment, pure water. However, the fluid WT is not limited to pure water, can use a fluid that has high transmittance property and refractive index property for a wavelength of the exposure light, and high chemical stability to the catadioptric projection optical system  100  and the photoresist spread on the object  240 . For example, fluorine system inert fluid may be used.  
         [0175]     The controller (not shown) includes a CPU and memory (not shown) and controls operation of the exposure apparatus  200 . The controller is electrically connected to the illumination apparatus  210 , (the moving mechanism (not shown) for) the reticle stage  230 , (the moving mechanism (not shown) for) the wafer stage  250 , and the fluid supply-recovery mechanism  260 . The controller controls the supply and recover of the fluid WT, switch of stop, and supply and recover amount of the fluid WT based on a condition such as a drive direction of the wafer stage  250  during the exposure. The CPU includes a processor regardless of its name, such as an MPU, and controls each module. The memory includes a ROM and RAM, and stores a firmware for controlling the operations of the exposure apparatus  200 .  
         [0176]     In exposure, light is emitted from the light source unit  212 , e.g., Koehler-illuminated the reticle  220  via the illumination optical system  214 . Light that passes through the reticle  220  and reflects the reticle pattern is imaged onto the object  240  by the catadioptric projection optical system  100 . The catadioptric projection optical system  100  used for the exposure apparatus  200  has a superior imaging performance, and can provide devices, such as semiconductor chips, such as LSIs and VLSIs, CCDs, LCDs, magnetic sensors, and thin-film magnetic heads, with high throughput and economic efficiency.  
         [0177]     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a description will be given of an embodiment of a device fabrication method using the above mentioned exposure apparatus  200 .  FIG. 13  is a flowchart for explaining how to fabricate devices (i.e., semiconductor chips such as IC and LSI, LCDs, CCDs, and the like). Here, a description will be given of the fabrication of a semiconductor chip as an example. Step.  1  (circuit design) designs a semiconductor device circuit. Step  2  (reticle fabrication) forms a reticle having a designed circuit pattern. Step  3  (wafer making) manufactures a wafer using materials such as silicon. Step  4  (wafer process), which is also referred to as a pretreatment, forms the actual circuitry on the wafer through lithography using the reticle and wafer. Step  5  (assembly), which is also referred to as a post-treatment, forms into a semiconductor chip the wafer formed in Step  4  and includes an assembly step (e.g., dicing, bonding), a packaging step (chip sealing), and the like. Step  6  (inspection) performs various tests on the semiconductor device made in Step  5 , such as a validity test and a durability test. Through these steps, a semiconductor device is finished and shipped (Step  7 ).  
         [0178]      FIG. 14  is a detailed flowchart of the wafer process in Step  4 . Step  11  (oxidation) oxidizes the wafer&#39;s surface. Step  12  (CVD) forms an insulating layer on the wafer&#39;s surface. Step  13  (electrode formation) forms electrodes on the wafer by vapor disposition and the like. Step  14  (ion implantation) implants ions into the wafer. Step  15  (resist process) applies a photosensitive material onto the wafer. Step  16  (exposure) uses the exposure apparatus  200  to expose a circuit pattern from the reticle onto the wafer. Step  17  (development) develops the exposed wafer. Step  18  (etching) etches parts other than a developed resist image. Step  19  (resist stripping) removes unused resist after etching. These steps are repeated to form multi-layer circuit patterns on the wafer. The device fabrication method of this embodiment may manufacture higher quality devices than the conventional one. Thus, the device fabrication method using the exposure apparatus  200 , and resultant devices constitute one aspect of the present invention.  
         [0179]     Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments and various variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be applied to an exposure apparatus other than the immersion exposure apparatus.  
         [0180]     This application claims a foreign priority benefit based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-309129, filed on Oct. 25, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.