Exposure apparatus

Abstract: A projection optical system of the present invention has a first lens group G₁ being positive, a second lens group G₂ being negative, a third lens group G₃ being positive, a fourth lens group G₄ being negative, a fifth lens group G₅ being positive, and a sixth lens group G₆ being positive in the named order from the object side, in which the second lens group G₂ comprises an intermediate lens group G 2M between a negative front lens L 2F and a negative rear lens L 2R and in which the intermediate lens group G 2M is arranged to comprise at least a first positive lens being positive, a second lens being negative, a third lens being negative, and a fourth lens being negative in the named order from the object side. The present invention involves findings of suitable focal length ranges for the first to the sixth lens groups G₁ to G₆ and an optimum range of an overall focal length of from the second negative lens to the fourth lens with respect to a focal length of the second lens group G₂.

Description: The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus having a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of a first object onto a photosensitive substrate etc. as a second object, and is applicable to a projection optical system suitably applicable to projection exposure of a pattern for semiconductor or liquid crystal formed on a reticle (mask) as the first object onto the substrate (semiconductor wafer, plate, etc.) as the second object. US-A-3,955,883 describes a projection optical system located between first and second objects, for projecting an Image of the first object onto the second object, said projection optical system having a first lens group with positive refracting power, said first lens group being placed between the first and second objects; a second lens group with negative refracting power, said second lens group being placed between said first lens group and the second object; a third lens group with positive refracting power, said third lens group being placed between said second lens group and the second object; a fourth lens group with negative refracting power, said fourth lens group being placed between said third lens group and the second object; a fifth lens group with positive refracting power, said fifth lens group being placed between said fourth lens group and the second object; and a sixth lens group with positive refracting power, said six lens group being placed between said fifth lens group and the second object. As the patterns of integrated circuits become finer and finer, the resolving power required for the exposure apparatus used in printing of wafer also becomes higher and higher. In addition to the improvement in resolving power, the projection optical systems of the exposure apparatus are required to decrease image stress. Here, the image stress includes those due to bowing etc. of the printed wafer on the image side of projection optical system and those due to bowing etc. of the reticle with circuit pattern etc. written therein, on the object side of projection optical system, as well as distortion caused by the projection optical system. With a recent further progress of fineness tendency of transfer patterns, demands to decrease the image stress are also becoming harder. Then, in orderto decrease effects of the wafer bowing on the image stress, the conventional technology has employed the so-called image-side telecentric optical system that located the exit pupil position at a farther point on the image side of projection optical system. On the other hand, the image stress due to the bowing of reticle can also be reduced by employing a so-called object-side telecentric optical system that locates the entrance pupil position of projection optical system at a farther point from the object plane, and there are suggestions to locate the entrance pupil position of projection optical system at a relatively far position from the object plane as described. Examples of those suggestions are described for example in Japanese Laid-open Patent Applications No. 63-118115 and No. 5-173065 and U.S.Patent No. 5,260,832. An object of the invention is to provide an exposure apparatus having a high-performance projection optical system which can correct the aberrations, particularly the distortion, very well even In the bitelecentric arrangement while keeping a relatively wide exposure area and a large numerical aperture. According to the invention, there is provided a projection optical system according to claim 1 or 8. Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims. The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not to be considered as limiting the present invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a drawing to show parameters defined in embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a drawing to show schematic structure of an exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a lens makeup diagram in the first embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a lens makeup diagram in the second embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a lens makeup diagram in the third embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a lens makeup diagram in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a lens makeup diagram in the fifth embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a lens makeup diagram in the sixth embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 9 is various aberration diagrams in the first embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 10 is various aberration diagrams in the second embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 11 is various aberration diagrams in the third embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 12 is various aberration diagrams in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 13 is various aberration diagrams in the fifth embodiment according to the present invention; and Fig. 14 is various aberration diagrams in the sixth embodiment according to the present invention. Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The following describes an exposure apparatus having a high-performance projection optical system comprising a stage allowing a photosensitive substrate (for example, a semiconductor wafer coated with a photosensitive material such as a photoresist) to be held on a main surface thereof, an illumination optical system having a light source for emitting exposure light of a predetermined wavelength and transferring a predetermined pattern on a mask onto the substrate, and a projecting optical system for projecting an image of the mask, on the substrate surface. The above projecting optical system having for projecting an image of a first object (for example, a mask with a pattern such as an integrated circuit) onto a second object (for example, a photosensitive substrate). As shown in Fig. 1, the projection optical system has a first lens group G 1 with positive refracting power, a second lens group G 2 with negative refracting power, a third lens group G 3 with positive refracting power, a fourth lens group G 4 with negative refracting power, a fifth lens group G 5 with positive refracting power, and a sixth lens group G 6 with positive refracting power in the named order from the side of the first object R, and the second lens group G 2 further comprises a front lens L 2F placed as closest to the first object R and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object W, a rear lens L 2R placed as closest to the second object and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object R, and an intermediate lens group G 2M placed between the front lens L 2F in the second lens group G 2 and the rear lens L 2R in the second lens group G 2 . The intermediate lens group G 2M has a first lens L M1 with positive refracting power, a second lens L M2 with negative refracting power, a third lens L M3 with negative refracting power, and a fourth lens L M4 with negative refracting power in the named order from the side of the first object R. First, the first lens group G 1 with positive refracting power contributes mainly to a correction of distortion while maintaining telecentricity, and specifically, the first lens group G 1 is arranged to generate a positive distortion to correct in a good balance negative distortions caused by the plurality of lens groups located on the second object side after the first lens group G 1 . The second lens group G 2 with negative refracting power and the fourth lens group G 4 with negative refracting power contribute mainly to a correction of Petzval sum to make the image plane flat. The two lens groups of the second lens group G 2 with negative refracting power and the third lens group G 3 with positive refracting power form an inverse telescopic system to contribute to guarantee of back focus (a distance from an optical surface such as a lens surface closest to the second object W in the projection optical system to the second object W) in the projection optical system. The fifth lens group G 5 with positive refracting power and the sixth lens group G 6 similarly with positive refracting power contribute mainly to suppressing generation of distortion and suppressing generation particularly of spherical aberration as much as possible in order to fully support high NA structure on the second object side. Based on the above structure, the front lens L 2F placed as closest to the first object R in the second lens group G 2 and having the negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object W contributes to corrections of curvature of field and coma, and the rear lens L 2R placed as closest to the second object W in the second lens group G 2 and having the negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object R to corrections of curvature of field, coma, and astigmatism. In the intermediate lens group G 2M placed between the front lens L 2F and the rear lens L 2R , the first lens L M1 with positive refracting power contributes to a correction of negative distortions caused by the second to fourth lenses L M2 -L M4 with negative refracting power greatly contributing to the correction of curvature of field. In particular, in the above projecting optical system, the following conditions (1) to (5) are satisfied when a focal length of the first lens group G 1 is f 1 , a focal length of the second lens group G 2 is f 2 , a focal length of the third lens group G 3 is f 3 , a focal length of the fourth lens group G 4 is f 4 , a focal length of the fifth lens group G 5 is f 5 , a focal length of the sixth lens group G 6 is f 6 , an overall focal length of the second to the fourth lenses L M2 -L M4 in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 is f n , and a distance from the first object R to the second object W is L: ( 1 ) 0.1 < f 1 / f 3 < 17 ( 2 ) 0.1 < f 2 / f 4 < 14 ( 3 ) 0.01 < f 5 / L < 0.9 ( 4 ) 0.02 < f 6 / L < 1.6 ( 5 ) 0.01 < f n / f 2 < 2.0. The condition (1) defines an optimum ratio between the focal length f 1 of the first lens group G 1 with positive refracting power and the focal length f 3 of the third lens group G 3 with positive refracting power, which is an optimum refracting power (power) balance between the first lens group G 1 and the third lens group G 3 . This condition (1) is mainly for correcting the distortion in a good balance. Below the lower limit of this condition (1) a large negative distortion is produced because the refracting power of the third lens group G 3 becomes relatively weak to the refracting power of the first lens group G 1 . Above the upper limit of the condition (1) a large negative distortion is produced because the refracting power of the first lens group G 1 becomes relatively weak to the refracting power of the third lens group G 3 . The condition (2) defines an optimum ratio between the focal length f 2 of the second lens group G 2 with negative refracting power and the focal length f 4 of the fourth lens group G 4 with negative refracting power, which is an optimum refracting power (power) balance between the second lens group G 2 and the fourth lens group G 4 . This condition (2) is mainly for keeping the Petzval sum small so as to correct the curvature of field well while securing a wide exposure field. Below the lower limit of the condition (2), a large positive Petzval sum appears because the refracting power of the fourth lens group G 4 becomes relatively weak to the refracting power of the second lens group G 2 . Above the upper limit of the condition (2) a large positive Petzval sum appears because the refracting power of the second lens group G 2 becomes relatively weak to the refracting power of the fourth lens group G 4 . In order to correct the Petzval sum in a better balance under a wide exposure field by making the refracting power of the fourth lens group G 4 strong relative to the refracting power of the second lens group G 2 , the lower limit of the above condition (2) is preferably set to 0.8, i.e., 0.8 < f 2 /f 4 . The condition (3) defines an optimum ratio between the focal length f 5 of the fifth lens group G 5 with positive refracting power and the distance (object-image distance) L from the first object R (reticle etc.) and the second object W (wafer etc.). This condition (3) is for correcting the spherical aberration, distortion, and Petzval sum in a good balance while keeping a large numerical aperture. Below the lower limit of this condition (3) the refracting power of the fifth lens group G 5 is too strong, so that this fifth lens group G 5 generates not only a negative distortion but also a great negative spherical aberration. Above the upper limit of this condition (3) the refracting power of the fifth lens group G 5 is too weak, so that the refracting power of the fourth lens group G 4 with negative refracting power inevitably also becomes weak therewith, thereby resulting in failing to correct the Petzval sum well. The condition (4) defines an optimum ratio between the focal length f 6 of the sixth lens group G 6 with positive refracting power and the distance (object-image distance) L from the first object R (reticle etc.) to the second object W (wafer etc.). This condition (4) is for suppressing generation of higher-order spherical aberrations and negative distortion while keeping a large numerical aperture. Below the lower limit of this condition (4) the sixth lens group G 6 itself produces a large negative distortion; above the upper limit of this condition (4) higher-order spherical aberrations appear. The condition (5) defines an optimum ratio between the overall focal length f n of the second lens L M2 with negative refracting power to the fourth lens L M4 with negative refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 and the focal length f 2 of the second lens group G 2 . It should be noted that the overall focal length f n , stated herein, of the second lens L M2 with negative refracting power to the fourth lens L M4 with negative refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 means not only an overall focal length of three lenses, i.e. the second lens L M2 to the fourth lens L M4 , but also an overall focal length of three or more lenses between the second lens L M2 and the fourth lens L M4 where there are a plurality of lenses between the second lens and the fourth lens. This condition (5) is for keeping the Petzval sum small while suppressing generation of distortion. Below the lower limit of this condition (5), a great negative distortion appears because the overall refracting power becomes too strong, of the negative sublens group including at least three negative lenses of from the second negative lens L M2 to the fourth negative lens L M4 in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 . In order to sufficiently correct the distortion and coma, the lower limit of the above condition (5) is preferably set to 0.1, i.e., 0.1 < f n /f 2 . Above the upper limit of this condition (5) a great positive Petzval sum results because the refracting power of the negative sublens group including at least three negative lenses of from the second negative lens L M2 to the fourth negative lens L M4 in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 becomes too weak. In addition, the refracting power of the third lens group G 3 also becomes weak. Thus, it becomes difficult to construct the projection optical system in a compact arrangement. In order to achieve a sufficiently compact design while well correcting the Petzval sum, the upper limit of the above condition (5) is preferably set to 1.3, i.e., f n /f 2 < 1.3. Further, the following condition (6) is preferably satisfied when the axial distance from the first object R to the first-object-side focal point F of the entire projection optical system is I and the distance from the first object R to the second object W is L. ( 6 ) 1.0 < I / L The condition (6) defines an optimum ratio between the axial distance I from the first object R to the first-object-side focal point F of the entire projection optical system and the distance (object-image distance) L from the first object R (reticle etc.) to the second object W (wafer etc.). Here, the first-object-side focal point F of the entire projection optical system means an intersecting point of outgoing light from the projection optical system with the optical axis after collimated light beams are let to enter the projection optical system on the second object side in the paraxial region with respect to the optical axis of the projection optical system and when the light beams in the paraxial region are outgoing from the projection optical system. Below the lower limit of this condition (6) the first-object-side telecentricity of the projection optical system will become considerably destroyed, so that changes of magnification and distortion due to an axial deviation of the first object R will become large. As a result, it becomes difficult to faithfully project an image of the first object R at a desired magnification onto the second object W. In order to fully suppress the changes of magnification and distortion due to the axial deviation of the first object R, the lower limit of the above condition (6) is preferably set to 1.7, i.e., 1.7 < I/L. Further, in order to correct a spherical aberration and a distortion of the pupil both in a good balance while maintaining the compact design of the projection optical system, the upper limit of the above condition (6) is preferably set to 6.8, i.e., I/L < 6.8. Also, it is more preferable that the following condition (7) be satisfied when the focal length of the third lens L M3 with negative refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 is f 23 and the focal length of the fourth lens L M4 with negative refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 is f 24 . ( 7 ) 0.07 < f 24 / f 23 < 7. Below the lower limit of the condition (7) the refracting power of the fourth negative lens L M4 becomes strong relative to the refracting power of the third negative lens L M3 , so that the fourth negative lens L M4 generates a large coma and a large negative distortion. In order to correct the coma better while correcting the negative distortion, the lower limit of the above condition (7) is preferably set to 0.14, i.e., 0.14 < f 24 /f 23 . Above the upper limit of this condition (7) the refracting power of the third negative lens L M3 becomes relatively strong relative to the refracting power of the fourth negative lens L M4 , so that the third negative lens L M3 generates a large coma and a large negative distortion. In order to correct the negative distortion better while correcting the coma, the upper limit of the above condition (7) is preferably set to 3.5, i.e., f 24 /f 23 < 3.5. Further, it is more preferable that the following condition (8) be satisfied when the focal length of the second lens L M2 with negative refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 is f 22 and the focal length of the third lens L M3 with negative refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 is f 23 . ( 8 ) 0.1 < f 22 / f 23 < 10 Below the lower limit of the condition (8) the refracting power of the second negative lens L M2 becomes strong relative to the refracting power of the third negative lens L M3 , so that the second negative lens L M2 generates a large coma and a large negative distortion. In order to correct the negative distortion in a better balance, the lower limit of the above condition (8) is preferably set to 0.2, i.e., 0.2 < f 22 /f 23 . Above the upper limit of this condition (8) the refracting power of the third negative lens L M3 becomes strong relative to the refracting power of the second negative lens L M2 , so that the third negative lens L M3 generates a large coma and a large negative distortion. In order to correct the negative distortion in a better balance while well correcting the coma, the upper limit of the above condition (8) is preferably set to 5, i.e., f 22 /f 23 < 5. Also, it is more desirable that the following condition (9) be satisfied when the axial distance from the second-object-side lens surface of the fourth lens L M4 with negative refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 to the first-object-side lens surface of the rear lens L 2R in the second lens group G 2 is D and the distance from the first object R to the second object W is L: ( 9 ) 0.05 < D / L < 0.4. Below the lower limit of the condition (9) it becomes difficult not only to secure a sufficient back focus on the second object side but also to correct the Petzval sum well. Above the upper limit of the condition (9) a large coma and a large negative distortion appear. Further, for example, in order to avoid mechanical interference between a reticle stage for holding the reticle as the first object R and the first lens group G 1 , there are cases that it is preferable to secure a sufficient space between the first object R and the first lens group G 1 , but there is a problem that to secure the sufficient space will become difficult above the upper limit of the condition (9). Also, the fourth lens group G 4 preferably satisfies the following condition when the focal length of the fourth lens group G 4 is f 4 and the distance from the first object R to the second object W is L. ( 10 ) − 0.098 < f 4 / L < − 0.005 Below the lower limit of the condition (10) the correction of spherical aberration becomes difficult, which is not preferable. Also, above the upper limit of the condition (10), the coma appears, which is not preferable. In order to well correct the spherical aberration and Petzval sum, the lower limit of the condition (10) is preferably set to -0.078, i.e.,-0.078 < f 4 /L, and further, in order to suppress generation of coma, the upper limit of the condition (10) is preferably set to -0.047, i.e., f 4 /L < -0.047. Further, the second lens group G 2 preferably satisfies the following condition when the focal length of the second lens group G 2 is f 2 and the distance from the first object R to the second object W is L. ( 11 ) − 0.8 < f 2 / L < − 0.050 Here, below the lower limit of the condition (11), a positive Petzval sum results, which is not preferable. Also, above the upper limit of the condition (11), a negative distortion appears, which is not preferable. In order to better correct the Petzval sum, the lower limit of the condition (11) is preferably set to -0.16, i.e., -0.16 < f 2 /L, and in order to better correct the negative distortion and coma, the upper limit of the condition (11) is preferably set to -0.0710, i.e., f 2 /L < -0.0710. In order to well correct mainly the third-order spherical aberration, it is more desirable that the fifth lens group G 5 with positive refracting power have the negative meniscus lens L 54 , and the positive lens L 53 placed adjacent to the concave surface of the negative meniscus lens L 54 and having a convex surface opposed to the concave surface of the negative meniscus lens L 54 and that the following condition (12) be satisfied when the radius of curvature of the concave surface in the negative meniscus lens L 54 in the fifth lens group G 5 is r 5n and the radius of curvature of the convex surface opposed to the concave surface of the negative meniscus lens L 54 in the positive lens L 53 set adjacent to the concave surface of the negative meniscus lens L 54 in the fifth lens group G 5 is r 5p . ( 12 ) 0 < ( r 5 p − r 5 n ) / ( r 5 p + r 5 n ) < 1 Below the lower limit of the condition (12), correction of the third-order spherical aberration becomes insufficient; conversely, above the upper limit of the condition (12), the correction of the third-order spherical aberration becomes excessive, which is not preferable. Here, in order to correct the third-order spherical aberration better, the lower limit of the condition (12) is more preferably set to 0.01, i.e., 0.01 < (r 5p - r 5n )/(r 5p + r 5n ) and the upper limit of the condition (12) is more preferably set to 0.7, i.e., (r 5p - r 5n )/(r 5p + r 5n ) < 0.7. Here, it is preferred that the negative meniscus lens and the positive lens adjacent to the concave surface of the negative meniscus lens be set between the at least one positive lens in the fifth lens group G 5 and the at least one positive lens in the fifth lens group G 5 . For example, a set of the megative meniscus lens L 54 and the positive lens L 53 is placed between the positive lenses L 52 and L 55 . This arrangement can suppress generation of the higher-order spherical aberrations which tend to appear with an increase in NA. Also, it is more desirable that the fourth lens group G 4 with negative refracting power have the front lens L 41 placed as closest to the first object R and having the negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object W, the rear lens L 44 placed as closest to the second object W and having the negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object R, and at least one negative lens placed between the front lens L 41 in the fourth lens group G 4 and the rear lens L 41 in the fourth lens group G 4 and that the following condition (13) be satisfied when a radius of curvature on the first object side in the rear lens L 44 placed as closest to the second object W in the fourth lens group G 4 is r 4F and a radius of curvature on the second object side in the rear lens L 44 placed as closest to the second object W in the fourth lens group G 4 is r 4R . ( 13 ) − 1.00 ≤ ( r 4 F − r 4 R ) / ( r 4 F + r 4 R ) < 0 Below the lower limit of the condition (13), the rear negative lens L 44 located closest to the second object W in the fourth lens group G 4 becomes of a double-concave shape, which generates higher-order spherical aberrations; conversely, above the upper limit of the condition (13), the rear negative lens L 44 located closest to the second object W in the fourth lens group G 4 will have positive refracting power, which will make the correction of Petzval sum more difficult. Further, it is desirable that the fifth lens group G 5 have the negative lens L 58 with a concave surface to the second object W, on the most second object side thereof. This enables the negative lens L 58 located closest to the second object W in the fifth lens group G 5 to generate a positive distortion and a negative Petzval sum, which can cancel a negative distortion and a positive Petzval sum generated by the positive lenses in the fifth lens group G 5 . In this case, in order to suppress the negative distortion without generating the higher-order spherical aberrations in the lens L 61 located closest to the first object R in the sixth lens group G 6 , it is desirable that the lens surface closest to the first object R have a shape with a convex surface to the first object R and that the following condition be satisfied when a radius of curvature on the second object side, of the negative lens L 58 placed as closest to the second object W in the fifth lens group G 5 is r 5R and a radius of curvature on the first object side, of the lens L 61 placed as closest to the first object R in the sixth lens group G 6 is r 6F . ( 14 ) − 0.90 < ( r 5 R − r 6 F ) / ( r 5 R + r 6 F ) < − 0.001 This condition (14) defines an optimum shape of a gas lens formed between the fifth lens group G 5 and the sixth lens group G 6 . Below the lower limit of this condition (14) a curvature of the second-object-side concave surface of the negative lens L 58 located closest to the second object W in the fifth lens group G 5 becomes too strong, thereby generating higher-order comas. Above the upper limit of th is condition (14) refracting power of the gas lens itself formed between the fifth lens group G 5 and the sixth lens group G 6 becomes weak, so that a quantity of the positive distortion generated by this gas lens becomes small, which makes it difficult to well correct a negative distortion generated by the positive lenses in the fifth lens group G 5 . In order to fully suppress the generation of higher-order comas, the lower limit of the above condition (14) is preferably set to -0.30, i.e., -0.30 < (r 5R - r 6F )/(r 5R + r 6F ). Also, it is further preferable that the following condition be satisfied when a lens group separation between the fifth lens group G 5 and the sixth lens group G 6 is d 56 and the distance from the first object R to the second object W is L. ( 15 ) d 56 / L < 0.017 Above the upper limit of this condition (15), the lens group separation between the fifth lens group G 5 and the sixth lens group G 6 becomes too large, so that a quantity of the positive distortion generated becomes small. As a result, it becomes difficult to correct the negative distortion generated by the positive lens in the fifth lens group G 5 in a good balance. Also, it is more preferable that the following condition be satisfied when a radius of curvature of the lens surface closest to the first object R in the sixth lens group G 6 is r 6F and an axial distance from the lens surface closest to the first object R in the sixth lens group G 6 to the second object W is d 6 . ( 16 ) 0.50 < d 6 / r 6 F < 1.50 Below the lower limit of this condition (16), the positive refracting power of the lens surface closest to the first object R in the sixth lens group G 6 becomes too strong, so that a large negative distortion and a large coma are generated. Above the upper limit of this condition (16), the positive refracting power of the lens surface closest to the first object R in the sixth lens group G 61 becomes too weak, thus generating a large coma. In order to further suppress the generation of coma, the lower limit of the condition (16) is preferably set to 0.84, i.e., 0.84 < d 6 /r 6F . It is desirable that the following condition (17) be satisfied when the radius of curvature on the first object side in the negative lens L 58 located closest to the second object W in the fifth lens group G 5 is r 5F and the radius of curvature on the second object side in the negative lens L 58 located closest to the second object W in the fifth lens group G 5 is r 5R . ( 17 ) 0.30 < ( r 5 F − r 5 R ) / ( r 5 F + r 5 R ) < 1.28 Below the lower limit of this condition (17), it becomes difficult to correct both the Petzval sum and the coma; above the upper limit of this condition (17), large higher-order comas appear, which is not preferable. In order to further prevent the generation of higher-order comas, the upper limit of the condition (17) is preferably set to 0.93, i.e., (r 5F - r 5R )/(r 5F + r 5R ) < 0.93. Further, it is desirable that the second-object-side lens surface of the first lens L M1 with positive refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 be of a lens shape with a convex surface to the second object W, and in this case, it is more preferable that the following condition (18) be satisfied when the refracting power on the second-object-side lens surface of the first positive lens L M1 in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 is Φ 21 and the distance from the first object R to the second object W is L. ( 18 ) 0.54 < 1 / ( Φ 21 ⋅ L ) < 10 The refracting power of the second-object-side lens surface, stated herein, of the first lens L M1 with positive refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M is given by the following formula when a refractive index of a medium for the first lens L M1 is n 1 , a refracting index of a medium in contact with the second-object-side lens surface of the first lens L M1 is n 2 , and a radius of curvature of the second-object-side lens surface of the first lens is r 21 . Φ 21 = ( n 2 − n 1 ) / r 21 Below the lower limit of the condition (18), higher-order distortions appear; conversely, above the upper limit of the condition (18), it becomes necessary to correct the distortion more excessively by the first lens group G 1 , which generates the spherical aberration of the pupil, thus being not preferable. Further, it is more preferable that the following condition (19) be satisfied when the focal length of the first lens L M1 with positive refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 is f 21 and the distance from the first object R to the second object W is L. ( 19 ) 0.230 < f 21 / L < 0.40 Below the lower limit of the condition (19), a positive distortion appears; above the upper limit of the condition (19), a negative distortion appears, thus not preferable. Also, the front lens L 2F and rear lens L 2R in the second lens group G 2 preferably satisfy the following condition when the focal length of the front lens L 2F placed as closest to the first object R in the second lens group G 2 and having the negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object W is f 2F and the focal length of the rear lens L 2R placed as closest to the second object W in the second lens group G 2 and having the negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object R is f 2R . ( 20 ) 0 ≤ f 2 F / f 2 R < 18 The condition (20) defines an optimum ratio between the focal length f 2R of the rear lens L 2R in the second lens group G 2 and the focal length f 2F of the front lens L 2F in the second lens group G 2 . Below the lower limit and above the upper limit of this condition (20), a balance is destroyed for refracting power of the first lens group G 1 or the third lens group G 3 , which makes it difficult to correct the distortion well or to correct the Petzval sum and the astigmatism simultaneously well. The following specific arrangements are desirable to provide the above respective lens groups with sufficient aberration control functions. First, in order to provide the first lens group G 1 with a function to suppress generation of higher-order distortions and spherical aberration of the pupil, the first lens group G 1 preferably has at least two positive lenses; in order to provide the third lens group G 3 with a function to suppress degradation of the spherical aberration and the Petzval sum, the third lens group G 3 preferably has at least three positive lenses; further, in order to provide the fourth lens group G 4 with a function to suppress the generation of coma while correcting the Petzval sum, the fourth lens group G 4 preferably has at least three negative lenses. Further, in order to provide the fifth lens group G 5 with a function to suppress generation of the negative distortion and the spherical aberration, the fifth lens group G 5 preferably has at least five positive lenses; further, in order to provide the fifth lens group G 5 with a function to correct the negative distortion and the Petzval sum, the fifth lens group G 5 preferably has at least one negative lens. Also, in order to provide the sixth lens group G 6 with a function to converge light on the second object W without generating a large spherical aberration, the sixth lens group G 6 preferably has at least one positive lens. In addition, in order to correct the Petzval sum better, the intermediate lens group G 2M in the second lens group G 2 preferably has negative refracting power. In order to provide the sixth lens group G 6 with a function to further suppress the generation of the negative distortion, the sixth lens group G 6 is preferably constructed of three or less lenses having at least one surface satisfying the following condition (21). ( 21 ) 1 / | Φ L | < 20 where Φ: refracting power of the lens surface; L: object-image distance from the first object R to the second object W. The refracting power of the lens surface stated herein is given by the following formula when the radius of curvature of the lens surface is r, a refracting index of a medium on the first object side, of the lens surface is n 1 , and a medium on the second object side, of the lens surface is n 2 . Φ = ( n 2 − n 1 ) / r Here, if there are four or more lenses having the lens surface satisfying this condition (21), the number of lens surfaces with some curvature, located near the second object W, becomes increased, which generates the distortion, thus not preferable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail in the following. An exposure apparatus of the invention comprises a projection optical system as showing in Fig. 2. First, briefly describing Fig. 2, a reticle R (first object) is placed as a mask on which a predetermined circuit pattern 101 is formed, on the object plane of a projection optical system PL and a wafer W (second object) as a photosensitive substrate on the image plane of the projection optical system PL, as shown. The reticle R is held on a reticle stage RS while the wafer W on a wafer stage WS. The photosensitive substrate comprises the wafer W and a photosensitive layer 100 made of a material as a photoresistor. Further, an illumination optical system IS, which has a light source 102 for emitting exposure light of a predetermined wavelength, for uniformly illuminating the reticle R is set above the reticle R. In the above arrangement, light supplied from the illumination optical system IS illuminates the reticle R to form an image of a light source in the illumination optical apparatus IS at the pupil position (or a position of aperture stop AS) of the projection optical system PL, thus achieving the so-called Köhler illumination. Then, through the projection optical system PL, a pattern image of the thus Köhler-illuminated reticle R is projected (or transferred) onto the wafer W through the photosensitive layer 100 by the projection optical system PL. The techniques relating to an exposure apparatus of the present invention are described for example in U.S.Patents No. 5,194,893, No. 5,097,291 and No. 5,245,384 and U.S.Patent Applications No. 299,305, No. 255,927 and No. 226,327. The present embodiment shows an example of projection optical system where the light source 102 inside the illumination optical system IS is an excimer laser supplying light with exposure wavelength λ of 248.4 nm, and Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 are lens makeup diagrams of projection optical systems in the first to sixth embodiments according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 8, a projection optical system in each embodiment has a first lens group G 1 with positive refracting power, a second lens group G 2 with negative refracting power, a third lens group G 3 with positive refracting power, a fourth lens group G 4 with negative refracting power, a fifth lens group G 5 with positive refracting power, and a sixth lens group G 6 with positive refracting power in the named order from the side of reticle R as the first object, which is approximately telecentric on the object side (or on the reticle R side) and on the image side (or on the wafer W side) and which has a reduction magnification. The projection optical systems of the respective embodiments shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 are arranged so that the object-image distance (a distance from the object plane to the image plane or a distance from the reticle R to the wafer W) L is 1200, the image-side numerical aperture NA is 0.55, the projection magnification B is 5:1, and the diameter of the exposure area on the wafer W is 31.2. In the explanation of embodiments of the present invention, the image plane means a main surface of the wafer W, and the object plane means a surface of the reticle R. Specifically describing the lens makeup of the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, first, the first lens group G 1 has a positive lens L 11 with a convex surface to the image (positive meniscus lens), a negative lens L 12 of a meniscus shape with a convex surface to the object, and two positive lenses (L 13 , L 14 ) of a double-convex shape in the named order from the object side. Next, the second lens group G 2 is composed of a negative meniscus lens (front lens) L 2F placed as closest to the object with a concave surface to the image, a negative meniscus lens (rear lens) L 2R placed closest to the image with a concave surface to the object, and an intermediate lens group G 2M placed between the negative meniscus lens L 2F located closest to the object in the second lens group G 2 and the negative meniscus lens L 2R located closest to the image in the second lens group G 2 , and having negative refracting power. The intermediate lens group G 2M is composed of a positive lens (first lens) L M1 of a double-convex shape, a negative lens (second lens) L M2 with a surface of a greater curvature to the image, a negative lens (third lens) L M3 of a double-concave shape, a negative lens (fourth lens) L M4 with a surface of a greater curvature to the object, and a positive lens (fifth lens) L M5 with a surface of a greater curvature to the image in the named order from the object side. Further, the third lens group G 3 is composed of a positive lens (positive meniscus lens) L 31 with a surface of a greater curvature to the image, a positive lens L 32 of a double-convex shape, a positive lens (a positive lens of a double-convex shape) L 33 with a convex surface to the object, and a positive lens L 34 with a surface of a greater curvature to the object, and the fourth lens group G 4 is composed of a negative lens (negative meniscus lens) L 41 with a concave surface to the image, a negative meniscus lens L 42 with a concave surface to the image, a negative lens L 43 of a double concave surface, and a negative meniscus lens L 44 with a concave surface to the object. Here, an aperture stop AS is set in an optical path between the image-side concave surface of the negative lens L 41 in the fourth lens group G 4 and the object-side concave surface of the negative meniscus lens L 44 . The fifth lens group G 5 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L 51 with a convex surface to the image, a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the image (a positive lens of a double-convex shape) L 52 , a positive lens L 53 of a double-convex shape, a negative meniscus lens L 54 with a concave surface to the object, a positive lens L 55 with a surface of a greater curvature to the object, a positive meniscus lens L 56 with a convex surface to the object, a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 57 , and a negative lens with a concave surface to the image (negative meniscus lens) L 58 , and the sixth lens group G 6 is composed only of a thick-wall positive lens L 61 with a convex surface to the object. Here, because the first lens group G 1 in the first embodiment is so arranged that the image-side lens surface of the negative lens L 12 of the meniscus shape with its convex surface to the object and the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 13 of double-convex shape have nearly equal curvatures and are arranged as relatively close to each other, these two lens surfaces correct the higher-order distortions. In the present embodiment, because the front lens L 2F with negative refracting power, placed closest to the object in the second lens group G 2 , is of the meniscus shape with a concave surface to the image, the generation of coma can be reduced; because the first lens L M1 with positive refracting power in the second lens group G 2M is of the double-convex shape with a convex surface to the image and another convex surface to the object, the generation of spherical aberration of the pupil can be suppressed. Further, because the fifth lens L M5 with positive refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 2M has the convex surface opposed to the concave surface of the rear lens L 2R with negative refracting power placed on the image side thereof, the astigmatism can be corrected. Since the fourth lens group G 4 is so arranged that the negative lens L 41 with its concave surface to the image is placed on the object side of the negative lens (negative lens of double-concave shape) L 43 and that the negative meniscus lens L 44 with its concave surface to the object is placed on the image side of the negative lens (negative lens of double-concave shape) L 43 , the Petzval sum can be corrected while suppressing the generation of coma. The present embodiment is so arranged that the aperture stop AS is placed between the image-side concave surface of the negative lens L 41 and the object-side concave surface of the negative meniscus lens L 44 in the fourth lens group G 4 whereby the lens groups of from the third lens group G 3 to the sixth lens group G 6 can be arranged on either side of the aperture stop AS with some reduction magnification and without destroying the symmetry so much, which can suppress generation of asymmetric aberrations, specifically generation of coma or distortion. Since the positive lens L 53 in the fifth lens group G 5 is of the double-convex shape where its convex surface is opposed to the negative meniscus lens L 54 and the other lens surface opposite to the negative meniscus lens L 54 is also a convex surface, the generation of higher-order spherical aberrations with an increase in NA can be suppressed. The specific lens makeup of the projection optical system in the second embodiment as shown in Fig. 4 is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and described above but different in that the fourth lens group G 4 is composed of a negative lens with a concave surface to the image (negative lens of a plano-concave shape) L 41 , a negative meniscus lens L 42 with a concave surface to the image, a negative lens L 43 of a double-concave shape, and a negative meniscus lens L 44 with a concave surface to the object and in that the sixth lens group G 6 is composed of a positive lens with a convex surface to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 61 , and a positive lens with a convex surface to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 62 . Also in the second embodiment, the image-side lens surface of the negative meniscus lens L 12 with its convex surface to the object and the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 13 of double-convex shape correct the higher-order distortions, similarly as in the above first embodiment. Further, the sixth lens group G 6 is preferably composed of a less number of constituent lenses in order to suppress a distortion generated by the sixth lens group G 6 , but if it is difficult to produce a thick lens the sixth lens group G 6 may be composed of two lenses as in the present embodiment. As for the other lens groups (the second lens group G 1 to the fifth lens group G 5 ) in the second embodiment, the same functions as in the first embodiment are achieved thereby. The specific lens makeup of the projection optical system of the third embodiment as shown in Fig. 5 is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and described previously, but different in that the first lens group G 1 is composed of a positive lens with a convex surface to the image (positive lens of double-convex shape) L 11 , a positive lens with a convex surface to the image (positive lens of double-convex shape) L 12 , a negative meniscus lens L 13 with a concave surface to the object, and a positive lens L 14 of double-convex shape in the named order from the object side and in that the third lens group G 3 is composed of a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the image (positive meniscus lens) L 31 , a positive lens L 32 of double-convex shape, a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the object (positive lens of double-convex shape) L 33 , and a positive lens with a convex surface to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 34 . In the third embodiment, the image-side lens surface of the positive lens L 12 with its convex surface to the image and the object-side lens surface of the negative meniscus lens L 13 with its concave surface to the object correct the higher-order distortions. As for the other lens groups (the second lens group G 2 , and the fourth lens group G 4 to the sixth lens group G 6 ) in the third embodiment, the same functions as in the first embodiment are achieved thereby. The specific lens makeup of the projection optical system of the fourth embodiment as shown in Fig. 6 is similar to that of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and described above, but different in that the third lens group G 3 is composed of a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the image side (positive meniscus lens) L 31 , a positive lens L 32 of double-convex shape, a positive lens with a convex surface to the object (positive lens of double-convex shape) L 33 , and a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the object (positive lens of double-convex shape) L 34 and in that the fourth lens group G 4 is composed of a negative lens with a concave surface to the image (negative lens of double-concave shape) L 41 , a negative meniscus lens L 42 with a concave surface to the image, a negative lens L 43 of double-concave shape, and a negative meniscus lens L 44 with a concave surface to the object. The present embodiment is also different in that the sixth lens group G 6 is composed of a positive lens with a convex surface to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 61 and a positive lens with a convex surface to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 62 . The first lens group G 1 in the fourth embodiment achieves the same functions as in the third embodiment described previously, the second lens group G 2 to the fifth lens group G 5 do the same functions as in the first embodiment, and the sixth lens group G 6 does the same functions as in the second embodiment. The specific lens makeup of the projection optical system of the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and described previously, but different in that the first lens group G 1 is composed of a positive lens with a convex surface to the image (positive lens of double-convex shape) L 11 , a negative lens with a concave surface to the image (negative lens of double-concave shape) L 12 and two positive lenses (L 13 , L 14 ) of double-convex shape in the named order from the object side. It is also different in that the third lens group G 3 is composed of a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the image (positive meniscus lens) L 31 , a positive lens L 32 of double-convex shape, a positive lens with a convex surface to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 33 , and a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the object (positive lens of double-convex shape) L 34 . It is also different from the lens makeup of the first embodiment in that the fourth lens group G 4 is composed of a negative lens with a concave surface to the image (negative lens of double-concave shape) L 41 , a negative meniscus lens L 42 with a concave surface to the image, a negative lens L 43 of double-concave shape, and a negative meniscus lens L 44 with a concave surface to the object. It is further different in that the fifth lens group G 5 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L 51 with a convex surface to the image, a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the image (positive meniscus lens) L 52 , a positive lens L 53 of double-convex shape, a negative meniscus lens L 54 with a concave surface to the object, a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 55 , a positive meniscus lens L 56 with a convex surface to the object, a positive lens with a surface of a greater curvature to the object (positive meniscus lens) L 57 , and a negative lens with a concave surface to the image (negative meniscus lens) L 58 . In the fifth embodiment the higher-order distortions are corrected by a pair of the image-side convex surface of the positive lens L 11 and the object-side concave surface of the negative lens L 12 and a pair of the image-side concave surface of the negative lens L 12 and the object-side convex surface of the positive lens L 13 . As for the other lens groups (the second to the fifth lens groups G 2 to G 5 ) in the fifth embodiment, the same functions as in the first embodiment are achieved thereby. The sixth embodiment shown in Fig. 8 has the same lens makeup as that of the fifth embodiment as described above, and achieves the substantially same functions as in the fifth embodiment. Now, Table 1 to Table 12 listed below indicate values of specifications and numerical values corresponding to the conditions in the respective embodiments according to the present invention. In the tables, left end numerals represent lens surfaces located in the named order from the object side (reticle side), r curvature radii of lens surfaces, d lens surface separations, n refractive indices of synthetic quartz SiO 2 for the exposure wavelength λ of 248.4 nm, d0 a distance from the first object (reticle) to the lens surface (first lens surface) closest to the object (reticle) in the first lens group G1, Bf a distance from the lens surface closest to the image (wafer) in the sixth lens group G 6 to the image plane (wafer surface), B a projection magnification of the projection optical system, NA the image-side numerical aperture of the projection optical system, L the object-image distance from the object plane (reticle surface) to the image plane (wafer surface), I the axial distance from the first object (reticle) to the first-object-side focal point of the entire projection optical system (where the first-object-side focal point of the entire projection optical system means an intersecting point of exit light with the optical axis after collimated light beams in the paraxial region with respect to the optical axis of the projection optical system are let to enter the projection optical system on the second object side and when the light beams in the paraxial region are outgoing from the projection optical system), f 1 the focal length of the first lens group G 1 , f 2 the focal length of the second lens group G 2 , f 3 the focal length of the third lens group G 3 , f 4 the focal length of the fourth lens group G 4 , f 5 the focal length of the fifth lens group G 5 , f 6 the focal length of the sixth lens group G 6 , f n the overall focal length of from the second lens to the fourth lens, f 2F the focal length of the front lens placed closest to the first object in the second lens group and having negative refracting power with its concave surface to the second object, f 2R the focal length of the rear lens placed closest to the second object in the second lens group and having negative refracting power with its concave surface to the first object, f 21 the focal length of the first lens with positive refracting power in the intermediate lens group in the second lens group, f 22 the focal length of the second lens with negative refracting power in the second lens group, f 23 the focal length of the third lens with negative refracting power in the second lens group, f 24 the focal length of the fourth lens with negative refracting power in the second lens group, Φ 21 the refracting power of the second-object-side lens surface of the first lens with positive refracting power in the intermediate lens group G 21 in the second lens group, D the axial distance from the second-object-side lens surface of the fourth lens in the intermediate lens group in the second lens group to the first-object-side lens surface of the rear lens in the second lens group, r 5n the curvature radius of the concave surface in the negative meniscus lens in the fifth lens group, r 5p the curvature radius of the convex surface opposed to the concave surface of the negative meniscus lens, in the positive lens placed adjacent to the concave surface of the negative meniscus lens in the fifth lens group, r 4F the first-object-side curvature radius in the rear lens placed closest to the second object in the fourth lens group, r 4R the second-object-side curvature radius in the rear lens placed closest to the second object in the fourth lens group, r 5F the first-object-side curvature radius in the second lens placed closest to the second object in the fifth lens group, r 5R the second-object-side curvature radius of the negative lens placed closest to the second object in the fifth lens group, r 6F the first-object-side curvature radius of the lens placed closest to the first object in the sixth lens group, d 56 the lens group separation between the fifth lens group and the sixth lens group, d 6 the axial distance from the lens surface closest to the first object in the sixth lens group to the second object, and Φ the refracting power of the lens surface of the lens or lenses forming the sixth lens group. (Table 1) First Embodiment d0 = 105.33208 B=1/5 NA= 0.55 B f = 28.62263 L = 1200 r d n 1 -821.91920 23.00000 1.50839 2 -391.93385 20.81278 3 334.30413 20.00000 1.50839 4 239.01947 7.92536 5 267.66514 28.00000 1.50839 6 -618.41676 1.04750 7 337.90351 23.00000 1.50839 8 -1279.67000 0.97572 9 200.03116 24.00000 1.50839 10 105.22457 22.04713 11 219.65515 26.00000 1.50839 12 -546.12474 1.10686 13 4788.40002 17.00000 1.50839 14 125.70412 20.76700 15 -381.52610 12.90000 1.50839 16 134.36400 26.88549 17 -127.38724 15.00000 1.50839 18 433.13808 52.33906 19 1260.83000 35.00000 1.50839 20 -178.61526 14.91509 21 -129.71674 22.80000 1.50839 22 -202.88016 2.79782 23 -4128.12000 27.00000 1.50839 24 -299.28737 2.87255 25 556.52963 28.00000 1.50839 26 -928.16848 2.49780 27 367.82207 30.00000 1.50839 28 -4438.51001 1.64701 29 220.29374 31.00000 1.50839 30 -1698.69000 3.60527 31 4987.07001 21.00000 1.50839 32 146.02635 11.76890 33 216.75649 17.00000 1.50839 34 161.01290 31.54706 35 -206.90673 15.90000 1.50839 36 309.12541 56.09046 37 -183.11187 18.00000 1.50839 38 -894.17440 6.28784 39 -409.02115 23.00000 1.50839 40 -215.49999 1.14438 41 3139.57999 23.00000 1.50839 42 -320.84882 2.92283 43 445.47649 38.00000 1.50839 44 -348.37380 11.43498 45 -229.01731 27.00000 1.50839 46 -352.88961 1.10071 47 370.91242 25.00000 1.50839 48 -3446.41000 4.83032 49 178.35450 32.00000 1.50839 50 471.60399 3.29194 51 137.85195 39.90000 1.50839 52 331.09797 9.82671 53 520.77561 23.00000 1.50839 54 80.26937 7.04896 55 90.74309 71.00000 1.50839 56 1836.49001 (Table 2) Values corresponding to the Conditions in the First Embodiment (1) f1 /f3 = 1.47 (2) f2 /f4 = 1.31 (3) f5 /L= 0.0988 (4) f6 /L= 0.154 (5) fn /f2 = 0.589 (6) I/L= 2.33 (7) f24/f23= 0.990 (8) f22/f23= 1.31 (9) D/L= 0.0852 (10) f4 /L= -0.0638 (11) f2 /L= -0.0834 (12) (r5p-r5n) / (r5p+r5n) = 0.207 (13) (r4F-r4R) / (r4F+r4R) = -0.660 (14) (r5R-r6F) / (r5R+r6F) = -0.0613 (15) d56/L= 0.00587 (16) d6 /r6F= 1.10 (17) (r5F-r5R) / (r5F+r5R) = 0.733 (18) 1/ (φ21·L) = 0.895 (19) f21/L= 0.260 (20) f2F/f2R= 0.604 (Table 3) Second Embodiment d0 = 103.54346 B= 1/5 NA= 0.55 B f = 29.06029 L = 1200 r d n 1 -2191.45999 23.00000 1.50839 2 -443.19378 18.81278 3 372.47246 20.00000 1.50839 4 259.89086 7.92536 5 296.05557 26.00000 1.50839 6 -527.24081 1.04750 7 478.04893 27.00000 1.50839 8 -948.34609 0.97572 9 210.20717 24.00000 1.50839 10 107.85292 24.04713 11 214.18600 26.00000 1.50839 12 -438.52759 1.10686 13 -1434.49001 17.00000 1.50839 14 132.17373 18.76700 15 -370.22109 12.90000 1.50839 16 137.36441 26.88549 17 -131.18161 15.00000 1.50839 18 450.35044 53.03407 19 1459.21001 35.00000 1.50839 20 -182.99101 14.91509 21 -132.88561 22.80000 1.50839 22 -199.28914 2.79782 23 -5536.72998 27.00000 1.50839 24 -310.74563 2.87255 25 528.12523 28.00000 1.50839 26 -1200.55000 2.49780 27 320.15215 30.00000 1.50839 28 -2820.19000 1.64701 29 239.46093 31.00000 1.50839 30 -2425.69000 5.60527 31 ∞ 21.00000 1.50839 32 148.13116 9.76890 33 207.41773 17.00000 1.50839 34 155.42831 31.54706 35 -218.29971 15.90000 1.50839 36 304.21175 56.74759 37 -175.66635 18.00000 1.50839 38 -1130.86000 6.28784 39 -485.73656 23.00000 1.50839 40 -216.43349 1.14438 41 2806.14999 23.00000 1.50839 42 -316.00620 2.92283 43 437.43410 38.00000 1.50839 44 -355.32964 11.43498 45 -235.73758 27.00000 1.50839 46 -360.50104 1.10071 47 410.57953 25.00000 1.50839 48 -3698.22000 4.83032 49 178.15299 32.00000 1.50839 50 506.53177 3.29194 51 137.46544 39.90000 1.50839 52 328.51597 9.82671 53 544.32105 23.00000 1.50839 54 81.70638 7.04896 55 92.81520 34.00000 1.50839 56 511.57718 2.00000 57 482.15006 35.00000 1.50839 58 1631.30000 (Table 4) Values corresponding to the Conditions in the Second Embodiment (1) f1 /f3 = 1.50 (2) f2 /f4 = 1.39 (3) f5 /L = 0.0971 (4) f6 /L = 0.158 (5) fn /f2 = 0.568 (6) I/L = 2.21 (7) f24/f23= 1.01 (8) f22/f23= 1.21 (9) D/L= 0.0858 (10) f4 /L= -0.0621 (11) f2 /L= -0.0861 (12) (r5p-r5n) / (r5p+r5n) = 0.202 (13) (r4F-r4R) / (r4F+r4R) = -0.731 (14) (r5R-r6F) / (r5R+r6F) = -0.0637 (15) d56/L= 0.00587 (16) d6 /r6F= 1.08 (17) (r5F-r5R) / (r5F+r5R) = 0.739 (18) 1/ (φ21 · L) = 0.719 (19) f21/L= 0.239 (20) f2F/f2R= 0.533 (Table 5) Third Embodiment d0 = 104.69561 B=1/5 NA= 0.55 B f = 29.13809 L = 1200 r d n 1 1364.36000 23.00000 1.50839 2 -612.17411 20.81278 3 699.63988 24.00000 1.50839 4 -301.81026 7.92536 5 -248.00150 20.00000 1.50839 6 -614.52792 1.04750 7 332.05244 27.00000 1.50839 8 -582.52759 0.97572 9 232.12759 24.00000 1.50839 10 110.33434 27.04713 11 230.79590 23.00000 1.50839 12 -359.85171 1.10686 13 -1275.75999 17.00000 1.50839 14 127.98361 18.76700 15 -569.83204 12.90000 1.50839 16 140.20359 26.88549 17 -108.76770 15.00000 1.50839 18 593.61218 51.86789 19 2324.85999 35.00000 1.50839 20 -163.53564 14.91509 21 -121.26603 22.80000 1.50839 22 -192.12364 2.79782 23 -4480.40997 27.00000 1.50839 24 -297.83388 2.87255 25 445.50685 28.00000 1.50839 26 -877.28296 2.49780 27 422.96766 27.00000 1.50839 28 -1570.03000 1.64701 29 230.95785 31.00000 1.50839 30 3000.00000 8.60527 31 1800.00000 21.00000 1.50839 32 138.38357 9.76890 33 191.56081 17.00000 1.50839 34 157.70119 31.54706 35 -217.22866 15.90000 1.50839 36 294.71194 56.69427 37 -173.19975 18.00000 1.50839 38 -973.64548 6.28784 39 -467.87775 23.00000 1.50839 40 -215.12034 1.14438 41 2688.16000 23.00000 1.50839 42 -320.45010 2.92283 43 441.22198 40.00000 1.50839 44 -347.09282 9.43498 45 -239.46132 27.00000 1.50839 46 -386.98159 1.10071 47 381.41679 28.00000 1.50839 48 -2576.25000 4.83032 49 186.44642 29.00000 1.50839 50 570.80649 3.29194 51 138.75412 39.90000 1.50839 52 316.26440 9.82671 53 504.37073 23.00000 1.50839 54 80.26770 7.04896 55 91.17058 71.00000 1.50839 56 1553.61000 (Table 6) Values corresponding to the Conditions in the Third Embodiment (1) f1 /f3 = 1.46 (2) f2 /f4 = 1.27 (3) f5 /L= 0.0977 (4) f6 /L= 0.156 (5) fn /f2 = 0.591 (6) I/L= 2.93 (7) f24/f23= 0.816 (8) f22/f23= 1.04 (9) D/L= 0.0848 (10) f4 /L= -0.0645 (11) f2 /L= -0.0816 (12) (r5p-r5n) / (r5p+r5n) = 0.184 (13) (r4F-r4R) / (r4F+r4R) = -0.698 (14) (r5R-r6F) / (r5R+r6F) = -0.0636 (15) d56/L= 0.00587 (16) d6 /r6F= 1.10 (17) (r5F-r5R) / (r5F+r5R) = 0.725 (18) 1/(φ21 · L) = 0.590 (19) f21/L= 0.234 (20) f2F/f2R= 0.611 (Table 7) Fourth Embodiment d0 = 104.71662 B = 1/5 NA= 0.55 Bf = 28.76320 L = 1200 r d n 1 955.26796 23.00000 1.50839 2 -675.53148 20.81278 3 788.04209 24.00000 1.50839 4 -320.77870 7.92536 5 -261.99847 20.00000 1.50839 6 -613.40707 1.04750 7 343.77433 27.00000 1.50839 8 -614.74297 0.97572 9 220.40014 24.00000 1.50839 10 111.87626 27.04713 11 230.00000 23.00000 1.50839 12 -410.00000 1.10686 13 -2449.05000 17.00000 1.50839 14 118.87129 18.76700 15 -632.77988 12.90000 1.50839 16 143.15226 26.88549 17 -108.88557 15.00000 1.50839 18 595.22400 52.22565 19 1526.21000 35.00000 1.50839 20 -168.52598 14.91509 21 -120.87196 22.80000 1.50839 22 -188.10351 2.79782 23 -3191.22000 27.00000 1.50839 24 -296.62706 2.87255 25 697.45117 28.00000 1.50839 26 -669.27158 2.49780 27 358.82454 27.00000 1.50839 28 -2986.21000 1.64701 29 223.50971 31.00000 1.50839 30 -1510.16000 8.60527 31 -3596.81000 21.00000 1.50839 32 141.11696 9.76890 33 194.35300 17.00000 1.50839 34 157.66411 31.54706 35 -209.96142 15.90000 1.50839 36 307.10883 56.68624 37 -175.13115 18.00000 1.50839 38 -1162.95000 6.28784 39 -505.38166 23.00000 1.50839 40 -213.39177 1.14438 41 3114.45000 23.00000 1.50839 42 -339.03822 2.92283 43 460.54759 40.00000 1.50839 44 -326.27369 9.43498 45 -231.89968 27.00000 1.50839 46 -372.57441 1.10071 47 390.03678 28.00000 1.50839 48 -1994.66000 4.83032 49 182.18377 29.00000 1.50839 50 525.45378 3.29194 51 138.67730 39.90000 1.50839 52 312.43609 9.82671 53 511.48346 23.00000 1.50839 54 81.45867 7.04896 55 93.64185 34.00000 1.50839 56 934.34560 2.00000 57 826.70065 35.00000 1.50839 58 1680.21000 (Bf) (Table 8) Values corresponding to the Conditions in the Fourth Embodiment (1) f1 /f3 = 1.55 (2) f2 /f4 = 1.39 (3) f5 /L= 0.0975 (4) f6 /L= 0.158 (5) fn /f2 = 0.576 (6) I/L= 3.05 (7) f24/f23= 0.787 (8) f22/f23= 0.974 (9) D/L= 0.0851 (10) f4 /L= -0.0606 (11) f2 /L= -0.0843 (12) (r5p-r5n) / (r5p+r5n) = 0.169 (13) (r4F-r4R) / (r4F+r4R) = -0.738 (14) (r5R-r6F) / (r5R+r6F) = -0.0695 (15) d56/L= 0.00587 (16) d6 /r6F= 1.07 (17) (r5F-r5R) / (r5F+r5R) = 0.725 (18) 1/ (φ21·L) = 0.672 (19) f21/L= 0.244 (20) f2F/f2R= 0.642 (Table 9) Fifth Embodiment do = 105.99385 B=1/5 NA= 0.55 Bf = 28.96856 L = 1200 r d n 1 723.32335 28.00000 1.50839 2 -571.27029 2.00000 3 -8470.94995 20.00000 1.50839 4 324.13159 7.92536 5 360.44110 28.00000 1.50839 6 -432.97069 1.04750 7 397.04484 27.00000 1.50839 8 -825.96923 0.97572 9 214.74004 31.00000 1.50839 10 110.51892 24.04713 11 229.41181 26.00000 1.50839 12 -396.52854 1.10686 13 -1014.34000 17.00000 1.50839 14 137.90605 18.76700 15 -418.55207 12.90000 1.50839 16 138.89479 26.88549 17 -133.71351 15.00000 1.50839 18 561.35918 52.53782 19 1381.31000 35.00000 1.50839 20 -188.69074 14.91509 21 -134.03345 22.80000 1.50839 22 -198.69180 2.79782 23 -3029.37000 27.00000 1.50839 24 -333.96362 2.87255 25 905.53484 28.00000 1.50839 26 -611.80005 2.49780 27 254.70879 30.00000 1.50839 28 3936.53000 1.64701 29 239.51669 31.00000 1.50839 30 -1238.94000 5.60527 31 -2379.42001 21.00000 1.50839 32 150.43068 9.76890 33 209.21387 17.00000 1.50839 34 149.67785 31.54706 35 -199.55198 15.90000 1.50839 36 341.76300 57.70880 37 -170.75300 18.00000 1.50839 38 -3700.60999 6.28784 39 -1025.75000 23.00000 1.50839 40 -212.37919 1.14438 41 -3009.97000 23.00000 1.50839 42 -312.33647 2.92283 43 401.05778 37.00000 1.50839 44 -361.42967 12.43498 45 -231.63315 27.00000 1.50839 46 -319.48896 1.10071 47 355.64919 25.00000 1.50839 48 3678.53000 4.83032 49 177.43364 32.00000 1.50839 50 553.83964 3.29194 51 137.68248 39.90000 1.50839 52 330.86342 9.82671 53 587.42747 23.00000 1.50839 54 81.23164 7.04896 55 93.74477 71.00000 1.50839 56 1555.42999 (Table 10) Values corresponding to the Conditions in the Fifth Embodiment (1) f1 /f3 = 1.58 (2) f2 /f4 = 1.63 (3) f5 /L = 0.0923 (4) f6 /L = 0.161 (5) fn /f2 = 0.554 (6) I/L= 2.27 (7) f24/f23= 1.04 (8) f22/f23= 1.17 (9) D/L= 0.0853 (10) f4 /L= -0.0564 (11) f2 /L= -0.0919 (12) (r5p-r5n) / (r5p+r5n) = 0.219 (13) (r4F-r4R) / (r4F+r4R) = -0.912 (14) (r5R-r6F) / (r5R+r6F) = -0.0715 (15) d56/L= 0.00587 (16) d6 /r6F= 1.07 (17) (r5F-r5R) / (r5F-r5R) = 0.757 (18) 1/ (φ21·L) = 0.650 (19) f21/L= 0.242 (20) f2F/f2R= 0.541 (Table 11) Sixth Embodiment do = 105.91377 B = 1/5 NA = 0.55 Bf = 28.96856 L = 1200 r d n 1 723.70616 28.00000 1.50839 2 -571.49375 1.98414 3 -8427.42000 20.00000 1.50839 4 324.06902 8.06076 5 360.49965 28.00000 1.50839 6 -432.97519 1.01484 7 397.09644 27.00000 1.50839 8 -826.03537 0.88781 9 214.74356 31.00000 1.50839 10 110.51666 24.03750 11 229.41181 26.00000 1.50839 12 -396.60684 1.12963 13 -1014.38000 17.00000 1.50839 14 137.92108 18.76756 15 -418.59453 12.90000 1.50839 16 138.90550 26.88587 17 -133.71351 15.00000 1.50839 18 561.20342 52.51989 19 1381.31000 35.00000 1.50839 20 -188.68876 14.85490 21 -134.03581 22.80000 1.50839 22 -198.68592 2.89585 23 -3029.37000 27.00000 1.50839 24 -333.96362 2.88769 25 905.64444 28.00000 1.50839 26 -611.80428 2.47699 27 254.70879 30.00000 1.50839 28 3936.53000 1.61920 29 239.51669 31.00000 1.50839 30 -1238.94000 5.60156 31 -2379.42000 21.00000 1.50839 32 150.42879 9.73510 33 209.20275 16.99160 1.50839 34 149.68297 31.54706 35 -199.55198 15.90229 1.50839 36 341.76300 57.70389 37 -170.75300 18.00000 1.50839 38 -3700.61000 6.28293 39 -1025.75000 23.00000 1.50839 40 -212.37919 1.14438 41 -3009.97000 23.00000 1.50839 42 -312.33647 2.89661 43 401.05778 37.00000 1.50839 44 -361.42967 12.47918 45 -231.65257 27.00000 1.50839 46 -319.51171 1.23912 47 355.64919 25.00000 1.50839 48 3678.53000 4.82925 49 177.43453 32.00000 1.50839 50 553.98339 3.26768 51 137.68248 39.90000 1.50839 52 330.86342 9.82671 53 587.42747 23.00000 1.50839 54 81.23164 7.04896 55 93.74477 71.00000 1.50839 56 1555.43000 (Bf) (Table 12) Values corresponding to the Conditions in the Sixth Embodiment (1) f1 /f3 = 1.58 (2) f2 /f4 = 1.63 (3) f5 /L= 0.0924 (4) f6 /L= 0.161 (5) fn /f2 = 0.554 (6) I/L= 2.25 (7) f24/f23= 1.04 (8) f22/f23= 1.17 (9) D/L= 0.0853 (10) f4 /L= -0.0564 (11) f2 /L= -0.0919 (12) (r5p-r5n) / (r5p+r5n) = 0.218 (13) (r4F-r4R) / (r4F+r4R) = -0.911 (14) (r5R-r6F) / (r5R+r6F) = -0.0715 (15) d56/L= 0.00587 (16) d6 /r6 F= 1.07 (17) (r5F-r5R) / (r5F+r5R) = 0.757 (18) 1/ (φ21·L) = 0.650 (19) f21/L= 0.242 (20) f2F/f2R= 0.541 In the above-described first embodiment, 1/IΦILI = 0.149 for the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 61 , thus satisfying the condition (21). In the second embodiment, 1/IΦLI =0.152 for the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 61 and 1/IΦLI = 0.709 for the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 62 , thus satisfying the condition (21). In the third embodiment, 1/ IΦLI = 0.149 for the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 61 , thus satisfying the condition (21). In the fourth embodiment, 1/IΦLI = 0.153 for the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 61 and 1/IΦLI = 1.36 for the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 62 , thus satisfying the condition (21). In the fifth embodiment, 1/IΦLI = 0.153 for the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 61 , thus satisfying the condition (21). In the sixth embodiment, 1/IΦLI = 0.154 for the object-side lens surface of the positive lens L 61 , thus satisfying the condition (21). Therefore, the sixth lens group G 6 in each embodiment is composed of three or less lenses having the lens surface(s) satisfying the condition (21). From the above values of specifications for the respective embodiments, it is understood that the telecentricity is achieved on the object side (on the reticle side) and on the image side (on the wafer side) while maintaining a relatively wide exposure area and a large numerical aperture in each embodiment. Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, and Fig. 14 show aberration diagrams of various aberrations in the first to the sixth embodiments according to the present invention. Here, in each aberration diagram, NA represents the numerical aperture of the projection optical system and Y the image height. In each aberration diagram of astigmatism, the dotted line represents a meridional image surface (meridional image surface) and the solid line a sagittal image surface (sagittal image surface). From comparison of the aberration diagrams, it is seen that the various aberrations are corrected in a good balance in each embodiment, particularly the distortion is corrected very well over the entire image up to a nearly zero state and the high-resolving-power projection optical system is achieved with a large numerical aperture. Although the above embodiments showed the examples where the excimer laser for supplying the light of 248.4 nm was used as a light source, it is needless to mention that, without a need to be limited to the examples, the present invention can be applied to systems using extreme ultraviolet light sources such as an excimer laser for supplying the light of 193 nm, mercury arc lamps for supplying the light of the g-line (436 nm) or the i-line (365 nm), or light sources for supplying the light in the ultraviolet region other than those. In the embodiments neither of the lenses constituting the projection optical system is a compound lens, and either of them is made of a single optical material, i.e., of quartz (SiO 2 ). Here, a cost reduction can be achieved because a single optical material forms each lens in the above embodiments. However, if the exposure light has a certain half width, a chromatic aberration can be corrected by a combination of quartz (SiO 2 ) and fluorite (CaF 2 ) or by a combination of other optical materials. Further, if the exposure light source supplies the exposure light in a wide band, the chromatic aberration can be corrected by a combination of plural types of optical materials. As described above, the exposure apparatus relating to the present invention has achieved the projection optical systems which are bitelecentric optical systems with a relatively wide exposure area kept and which are high-resolving-power projection optical systems in which the various aberrations are corrected in a good balance and which have a large numerical aperture. Particularly, the distortion is corrected very well in the projection optical systems of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention can enjoy an extreme reduction of image stress, because the distortion is also corrected very well in addition to the achievement of the bitelecentricity. From-the invention thus described, it will be obvious that the invention may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. The basic Japanese Application No. 6-311050 (311050/1994) filed on December 14, 1994 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims: A projection optical system located between first and second objects (R, W), for projecting an image of the first object (R) onto the second object (W), said projection optical system having: a first lens group (G 1 ) with positive refracting power, said first lens group being placed between the first and second objects; a second lens group (G 2 ) with negative refracting power, said second lens group being p laced between said first lens group (G 1 ) and the second object (W); a third lens group (G 3 ) with positive refracting power, said third lens group being placed between said second lens group (G 2 ) and the second object (W); a fourth lens group (G 4 ) with negative refracting power, said fourth lens group being placed between said third lens group (G 3 ) and the second object (W); a fifth lens group (G 5 ) with positive refracting power, said fifth lens group being placed between said fourth lens group (G 4 ) and the second object (W); and a sixth lens group (G 6 ) with positive refracting power, said six lens group being placed between said fifth lens group (G 5 ) and the second object (W); characterized in that : said first lens group (G 1 ) includes at least two positive lenses (L 11 , L 13 , L 14 ), said third lens group (G 3 ) includes at least three positive lenses (L 31 , L 32 , L 33 , L 34 ), said fourth lens group (G 4 ) includes at least three negative lenses (L 41 , L 43 , L 44 ), said fifth lens group (G 5 ) includes at least five positive lenses (L 51 , L 52 , L 55 , L 56 , L 57 ) and at least one negative lens (L 58 ), and said sixth lens group (G 6 ) includes at least one positive lens (L 61 ); and said fifth lens group (G 5 ) further includes a negative lens (L 54 ) and a positive lens (L 53 ) placed as adjacent to said negative lens, and wherein said negative lens (L 54 ) placed as adjacent to said positive lens (L 53 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ) is a negative meniscus lens having a concave surface; and wherein said positive lens (L 53 ) placed as adjacent to said negative lens (L 54 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ) has a convex surface opposed to the concave surface of said negative meniscus lens (L 54 ). A projection optical system according to Claim 1, wherein said second lens group comprises a front lens (L 2F ) placed as closest of the lenses of said second group to the first object and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object (W), a rear lens (L 2R ) placed as closest of the lenses of said second group to the second object and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object (R), and an intermediate lens group (G 2M ) placed between said front and rear lenses in said second lens group, and wherein said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) has a first lens (L M1 ) with positive refracting power, a second lens (L M2 ) with negative refracting power, a third lens (L M3 ) with negative refracting power, and a fourth lens (L M4 ) with negative refracting power In the named order from the side of the first object (R). A projection optical system according to Claim 2, wherein the first lens (L M1 ) with positive refracting power in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) has a lens shape with a convex su rface to the second object (W). A projection optical system according to Claim 1, wherein said fourth lens group (G 4 ) comprises a front lens (L 41 ) placed as closest of the lenses of said fourth group (G 4 ) to the first object (R) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface facing to the second object (W), a rear lens (L 44 ) placed as closest of the lenses of said fourth group (G 4 ) to the second object (W) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface facing to the first object (R), and at least one negative lens (L 42 , L 43 ) placed between said front lens (L 41 ) in said fourth lens group (G 4 ) and said rear lens (L 44 ) in said fourth lens group (G 4 ). A projection optical system according to Claim 1, wherein said fifth lens group (G 5 ) comprises a negative lens (L 58 ) placed as closest of the lenses of said fifth group (G 5 ) to the second object (W) and having a concave surface opposed to the second object (W). A projection optical system according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said projection optical system projects an image of a pattern formed on a mask as the first object onto a photosensitive substrate as the second object. A projection optical system according to Claim 6, wherein said sixth lens group (G 6 ) comprises a lens (L 61 ) placed as closest of the lenses of said sixth group (G 6 ) to the first object (R) and having a convex surface opposed to the first object (R). A projection optical system located between first and second objects (R, W), for projecting an image of the first object (R) onto the second object (W), said projection optical system having a first lens group (G 1 ) with positive refracting power, a second lens group (G 2 ), a third lens group (G 3 ) with positive refracting power, a fourth lens group (G 4 ) with negative refracting power, a fifth lens group (G 5 ) with positive refracting power, and a sixth lens group (G 6 ) with positive refracting power in the named order from the side of the first object; characterized in that : said second lens group (G 2 ) comprises a front lens (L 2F ) placed as closest of the lenses of said second group to the first object and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object (W), a rear lens (L 2R ) placed as closest of the lenses of said second group to the second object (W) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object (R), and an intermediate lens group (G 2M ) placed between said front and rear lenses in said second lens group; said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) has a first lens (L M1 ) with positive refracting power, a second lens (L M2 ) with negative refracting power, a third lens (L M3 ) with negative refracting power, and a fourth lens (L M4 ) with negative refracting power in the named order from the side of the first object (R), and the following conditions are satisfied when a focal length of said first lens group (G 1 ) is f 1 , a focal length of said second lens group (G 2 ) is f 2 , a focal length of said third lens group (G 3 ) is f 3 , a focal length of said fourth lens group (G 4 ) is f 4 , a focal length of said fifth lens group (G 5 ) is f 5 , a focal length of said sixth lens group (G 6 ) is f 6 , an overall focal length of said second lens to said fourth lens in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is f n , and a distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: 0.1 < f 1 / f 3 < 17 0.1 < f 2 / f 4 < 14 0.01 < f 5 / L < 0.9 0.02 < f 6 / L < 1.6 0.01 < f n / f 2 < 2.0. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when an axial distance from the first object (R) to a first-object-side focal point of the whole of said projection optical system is I and the distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: 1.0 < I / L . A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein said first lens group (G 1 ) includes at least two positive lenses (L 11 , L 13 , L 14 ), said third lens group (G 3 ) includes at least three positive lenses (L 31 , L 32 , L 33 , L 34 ), said fourth lens group (G 4 ) includes at least three negative lenses (L 41 , L 42 , L 43 , L 44 ), said fifth lens group (G 5 ) includes at least five positive lenses (L 51 , L 52 , L 53 , L 55 , L 56 , L 57 ) and at least one negative lens (L 54 , L 58 ), and said sixth lens group (G 6 ) includes at least one positive lens (L 61 ). A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) has negative refracting power. A projection optical system accordingto Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when the focal length of said second lens group (G 2 ) is f 2 and the distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: − 0.8 < f 2 / L < − 0.050. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when a focal length of said front lens (L 2F ) placed as closest of the lenses of said second group (G 2 ) to the first object (R) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object (W) is f 2F and a focal length of said rear lens (L 2R ) placed as closest of the lenses In said second group (G 2 ) to the second object (W) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object (R) is f 2R : 0 ≤ f 2 F / f 2 R < 18. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when a focal length of said third lens (L M3 ) with negative refracting power in said second intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is f 23 and afocal length of said fourth lens (L M4 ) with negative refracting power in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is f 24 : 0.07 < f 24 / f 23 < 7. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition Is satisfied when a focal length of said second lens (L M2 ) with negative refracting power in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is f 22 and a focal length of said third lens (L M3 ) with negative refracting power in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is f 23 : 0.1 < f 22 / f 23 < 10. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when an axial distance from a second-object-side lens surface of said fourth lens (L M4 ) with negative refracting power in said Intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) to a first-object-side lens surface of said rear lens (L 2R ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is D and the distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: 0.05 < D / L < 0.4. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein said first lens (L M1 ) with positive refracting power in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) has a lens shape with a convex surface to the second object (W), and wherein the following condition is satisfied when the refracting power of a second-object-side lens surface of said first lens (L M1 ) with positive refracting power in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is Φ 21 and the distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: 0.54 < 1 / ( Φ 21 ⋅ L ) < 10. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when a focal length of said first lens (L M1 ) with positive refracting power in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is f 21 and the distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: 0.230 < f 21 / L < 0.40. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when the focal length of said fourth lens group (G 4 ) is f 4 and the distance from said the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: − 0.098 < f 4 / L < − 0.005. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein said fourth lens group (G 4 ) comprises a front lens (L 41 ) placed as closest of the lenses of said fourth group (G 4 ) to the first object (R) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object (W), a rear lens (L 44 ) placed as closest of the lenses of said fourth group (G 4 ) to the second object (W) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object (R), and at least one negative lens (L 43 , L 44 ) placed between said front lens (L 41 ) in said fourth lens group (G 4 ) and said rear lens (L 44 ) in said fourth lens group (G 4 ), and wherein the following condition is satisfied when a radius of curvature on the first object side in said rear lens (L 44 ) placed as closest of the lenses of said fourth group (G 4 ) to the second object (W) is r 4F and a radius of curvature on the second object side in said rear lens (L 44 ) placed as closest of the lenses of said fourth group (G 4 ) to the second object (W) is r 4R : − 1.00 ≤ ( r 4 F − r 4 R ) / ( r 4 F + r 4 R ) < 0. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein said fifth lens group (G 5 ) comprises a negative meniscus lens (L 54 ), and a positive lens (L 53 ) placed as adjacent to a concave surface of said negative meniscus lens and having a convex surface opposed to the concave surface of said negative meniscus lens (L 54 ), and wherein the following condition is satisfied when a radius of curvature of the concave surface of said negative meniscus lens (L 54 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ) is r 5n and a radius of curvature of the convex surface opposed to the concave surface of said negative meniscus lens in said positive lens (L 53 ) placed adjacent to the concave surface of said negative meniscus lens (L 54 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ) is r 5p ; 0 < ( r 5 p − r 5 n ) / ( r 5 p + r 5 n ) < 1. A projection optical system according to Claim 21, wherein said negative meniscus lens (L 54 ) and said positive lens (L 53 ) adjacent to the concave surface of said negative meniscus lens (L 54 ) are placed between at least one positive lens (L 52 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ) and at least one further positive lens (L 55 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ). A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein said fifth lens group (G 5 ) comprises a negative lens (L 58 ) placed as closest of the lenses of the fifth group (G 5 ) to the second object (W) and having a concave surface opposed to the second object (W), and wherein the following condition is satisfied when a radius of curvature on the first object side in said negative lens (L 58 ) closest of the lenses of said fifth group (G 5 ) to the second object (W) is r 5F and a radius of curvature on the second object side in said negative lens (L 58 ) closest of the lenses of said fifth group (G 5 ) to the second object (W) is r 5R : 0.30 < ( r 5 F − r 5 R ) / ( r 5 F + r 5 R ) < 1.28. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein said fifth lens group (G 5 ) comprises a negative lens (L 58 ) placed as closest of the lenses of the fifth group (G 5 ) to the second object (W) and having a concave surface opposed to the second object (W) and said sixth lens group (G 6 ) comprises a lens (L 61 ) placed as closest of the lenses of the sixth group (G 6 ) to the first object (R) and having a convex surface opposed to the first object (R), and wherein the following condition is satisfied when a radius of curvature on the second object side, of said negative lens (L 58 ) placed as closest of the lenses of the fifth group (G 5 ) to the second object (W) is r 5R and a radius of curvature on the first object side, of said lens (L 61 ) placed as closest of the lenses of the sixth group (G 6 ) to the first object is r 6F : − 0.90 < ( r 5 R − r 6 F ) / ( r 5 R + r 6 F ) < − 0.001. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when a lens group separation between said fifth lens group (G 5 ) and said sixth lens group (G 6 ) is d 56 and the distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: d 56 / L < 0.017. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied when a radius of curvature of a lens surface closest to the first object (R) in said sixth lens group (G 6 ) is r 6F and an axial distance from the lens surface closest to the first object (R) in said sixth lens group (G 6 ) to the second object (W) is d 6 : 0.50 < d 6 / r 6 F < 1.50. A projection optical system according to Claim 8, wherein said sixth lens group (G 6 ) comprises three or less lenses having at least one surface satisfying the following condition: 1 / | Φ L | < 20 where Φ: refracting power of the lens surface; L: object-image distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W). A projection optical system according to any of Claims 1 to 27, wherein said projection optical system has a predetermined reduction magnification. An exposure apparatus comprising: a projection optical system according to Claim 1; a stage (WS) allowing a photosensitive substrate (W) to be held on a main surface thereof; and an illumination optical system (IS) for emitting exposure light of a predetermined wavelength and transferring a predetermined pattern (101) formed on a mask (R) onto the substrate; wherein said projecting optical system is arranged for projecting an image of the predetermined pattern formed on the mask (R) onto the substrate surface. An exposure apparatus according to Claim 29, wherein said second lens group (G 2 ) comprises a front lens (L 2F ) placed as closest of the lenses of the second group (G 2 ) to the first object (R) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the second object (W), a rear lens (L 2R ) placed as closest of the lenses of the second group (G 2 ) to the second object (W) and having negative refracting power with a concave surface to the first object (R), and an intermediate lens group (G 2M ) placed between said front (L 2F ) and rear lenses (L 2R ) in said second lens group (G 2 ), wherein said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) has a first lens (L M1 ) with positive refracting power, a second lens (L M2 ) with negative refracting power, a third lens (L M3 ) with negative refracting power, and a fourth lens (L M4 ) with negative refracting power in the named order from the side of the first object (R), and wherein the following conditions are satisfied when a focal length of said first lens group (G 1 ) is f 1 , a focal length of said second lens group (G 2 ) is f 2 , a focal length of said third lens group (G 3 ) is f 3 , a focal length of said fourth lens group (G 4 ) is f 4 , a focal length of said fifth lens group (G 5 ) is f 5 , a focal length of said sixth lens group (G 6 ) is f 6 , an overall focal length of said second lens (L M2 ) to said fourth lens (L M4 ) in said intermediate lens group (G 2M ) in said second lens group (G 2 ) is f n , and a distance from the first object (R) to the second object (W) is L: 0.1 < f 1 / f 3 < 17 0.1 < f 2 / f 4 < 14 0.01 < f 5 / L < 0.9 0.02 < f 6 / L < 1.6 0.01 < f n / f 2 < 2.0. An exposure apparatus according to Claim 29, wherein said negative lens (L 54 ) placed adjacent to said positive lens (L 53 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ) has a concave surface, and wherein said positive lens (L 53 ) placed adjacent to said negative lens (L 54 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ) has a convex facing the concave surface of said negative lens (L 54 ). An exposure apparatus according to Claim 29, wherein said negative lens (L 54 ) placed adjacent to said positive lens (L 53 ) in said fifth lens group (G 5 ) is a negative meniscus lens (L 54 ). A projection optical system according to any of Claims 8 to 28, wherein said projection optical system projects an image of a pattern formed on a mask as the first object onto a photosensitive substrate as the second object. A projection optical system according to any of Claims 8 to 28, wherein an image-side numerical aperture NA of said projection optical system includes 0.55. A projection optical system according to any of Claims 1 to 28, wherein said projection optical system is approximately telecentric on the object side and on the image side. A projection optical system according to any of Claims 1 to 28, wherein each of lenses constituting said projection optical system is a non-cemented single lens.

Inventors: ISHII MIKIHIKO, MATSUZAWA HITOSHI, TANAKA ISSEY, ISHII, MIKIHIKO, MATSUZAWA, HITOSHI, TANAKA, ISSEY
Applicants: NIPPON KOGAKU KK, NIKON CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G02B13
IPC codes: G03F7, G02B13, G02B9, H01L21