Abstract:
An optical reduction system for use in the photolithographic manufacture of semiconductor devices having one or more quarter-wave plates operating near the long conjugate end. A quarter-wave plate after the reticle provides linearly polarized light at or near the beamsplitter. A quarter-wave plate before the reticle provides circularly polarized or generally unpolarized light at or near the reticle. Additional quarter-wave plates are used to further reduce transmission loss and asymmetries from feature orientation. The optical reduction system provides a relatively high numerical aperture of 0.7 capable of patterning features smaller than 0.25 microns over a 26 mm×5 mm field. The optical reduction system is thereby well adapted to a step and scan microlithographic exposure tool as used in semiconductor manufacturing. Several other embodiments combine elements of different refracting power to widen the spectral bandwidth which can be achieved.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 09/841,166, filed Apr. 25, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,483, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. 60/199,392, filed Apr. 25, 2000, also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to optical systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. 
     2. Background Art 
     Semiconductor devices are typically manufactured using various photolithographic techniques. The circuitry used in a semiconductor chip is projected from a reticle onto a wafer. This projection is often accomplished with the use of optical systems. The design of these optical systems is often complex, and it is difficult to obtain the desired resolution necessary for reproducing the ever-decreasing size of components being placed on a semiconductor chip. Therefore, there has been much effort expended to develop an optical reduction system capable of reproducing very fine component features, less than 0.25 microns. The need to develop an optical system capable of reproducing very fine component features requires the improvement of system performance. 
     A conventional optical system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,260 entitled “Catadioptric Optical Reduction System with High Numerical Aperture” issued Jul. 16, 1996 to Williamson, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This reference describes an optical reduction system having a numerical aperture of 0.35. Another optical system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,960 entitled “Optical Reduction System” issuing Sep. 4, 1990 to Williamson, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This reference describes an optical system operating in the range of 248 nanometers and having a numerical aperture of 0.45. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     While these optical systems perform adequately for their intended purpose, there is an ever increasing need to improve system performance. The present inventor has identified that a need exists for eliminating diffraction induced by bias at the reticle. Further, there is a need for an optical system having low reticle diffraction capable of acceptable system performance over a large spectral waveband. 
     Reticle diffraction induced by results from the way linearly polarized light interacts with the features of the reticle. The feature orientation of the reticle is determined by the semiconductor device being projected. Since there is an increasing need to reduce the size of semiconductor devices and feature orientation is dictated by the application of the semiconductor device, the present inventor focused on treating reticle diffraction. 
     Linearly polarized light is typically used in certain photolithographic projection optic systems. Diffraction results from the interaction of light and the features on the reticle. Linearly polarized light travels through the reticle differently depending on the orientation of its features. Asymmetries result from this interaction. The asymmetries or print biases are then projected through the optical system onto the wafer. Print bias is significant enough to alter the thickness of the lines projected on the wafer. Variations on the wafer affect the performance of the semiconductor device, and in some cases prevent the device from performing to required specifications. 
     The use of circularly polarized light at the reticle can eliminate the asymmetries which result from feature orientation. This circularly polarized light is indistinguishable from unpolarized light in its imaging behavior. The imaging behavior of unpolarized light is such that it diffracts equally regardless of the orientation of the feature through which it is projected. Thus the print biases are reduced throughout the optical system. 
     However, other factors, such as transmission loss, prevent the use of circularly polarized light throughout an optical system. Thus, the present invention involves the use of phase shifters, which can take the form of wave plates, retardation plates and the like, to selectively alter the polarization of the light before the reticle and optical system. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is a catadioptric optical reduction system for use in the photolithographic manufacture of semiconductor devices having one or more quarter-wave plates operating near the long conjugate end. A quarter-wave plate after the reticle provides linearly polarized light at or near the beamsplitter. A quarter-wave plate before the reticle provides circularly polarized or generally unpolarized light at or near the reticle. Additional quarter-wave plates are used to further reduce transmission loss and asymmetries from feature orientation. The catadioptric optical reduction system provides a relatively high numerical aperture of 0.7 capable of patterning features smaller than 0.25 microns over a 26 mm×5 mm field. The optical reduction system is thereby well adapted to a step and scan microlithographic exposure tool as used in semiconductor manufacturing. Several other embodiments combine elements of different refracting power to widen the spectral bandwidth which can be achieved. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention is a catadioptric reduction system having, from the object or long conjugate end to the reduced image or short conjugate end, an first quarter-wave plate, a reticle, a second quarter-wave plate, a first lens group, a second lens group, a beamsplitter cube, a concentric concave mirror, and a third lens group. The first quarter-wave plate operates to circularly polarize the radiation passed to the reticle. The second quarter-wave plate operates to linearly polarize the radiation after the reticle before the first lens group. The concave mirror operates near unit magnification. This reduces the aberrations introduced by the mirror and the diameter of radiation entering the beamsplitter cube. The first and second lens groups before the concave mirror provide enough power to image the entrance pupil at infinity at the aperture stop at or near the concave mirror. The third lens group after the concave mirror provides a substantial portion of the reduction from object to image of the optical system, as well as projecting the aperture stop to an infinite exit pupil. High-order aberrations are reduced by using an aspheric concave mirror. 
     Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventional optical projection system. 
     FIG. 2A is an illustration of diffraction at the reticle. 
     FIG. 2B is an illustration of the properties of a quarter-wave plate. 
     FIG. 2C is an illustration of the properties of a half waveplate. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the present invention using more than two quarter-wave plates. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the present invention using a single refracting material. 
     FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention using two different refracting materials. 
     FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the present invention using more than two different refracting materials. 
     FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is yet a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Overview 
     A. Conventional Optical System 
     B. Reticle Diffraction 
     C. Polarization and Wave Plates 
     II. Terminology 
     III. Example Implementations 
     A. Optical System With Elimination of Reticle Diffraction Induced Bias 
     B. Alternate Embodiment 
     C. Further Embodiments 
     IV. Alternate Implementation 
     I. Overview 
     A. Conventional Optical System 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional optical reduction system. From its long conjugate end where the reticle is placed to its short conjugate end where the wafer is placed, it possesses a first optical component group  120 , a beamsplitter cube  150 , a first quarter-wave plate  140 , a concave mirror  130 , a second quarter-wave plate  160 , and a second optical component group  170 . A feature of any optical system is the interdependence of numerical aperture size and spectral radiation requirements. In order to efficiently illuminate the image or wafer plane  180 , linearly polarized light is used. The limitations of linearly polarized light are introduced above and discussed in the following sections. 
     B. Reticle Diffraction Induced Bias 
     As recognized by the present inventor, the use of linearly polarized light at numerical apertures greater than about 0.5 introduces small, but noticeable, asymmetries in the imaging. These asymmetries in imaging are caused at least in part by diffraction of the linearly polarized light at certain feature orientations. FIG. 2A illustrates the asymmetries or print biases which result from the use of linearly polarized light at the reticle  110 . Simply, reticle  110  is placed in the path of both linearly polarized light  205  and circularly polarized light  210 . The two types of light are separated by separator  215 . After the reticle, the intensity of the light is distributed differently, as shown by distribution curves  220  and  225 . The results are shown on wafer  180 . Here, the projected image  230  resulting from the use of linearly polarized light  205  is not as clear or sharp as projected image  235  which results from the use of circularly polarized light  210 . 
     Circularly polarized light  210  is indistinguishable from unpolarized light in its imaging behavior. The imaging behavior of unpolarized light is such that it diffracts equally regardless of the orientation of the feature through which it is projected. When the projection optic cannot accept unpolarized light, but requires linearly polarized light, it is possible to provide circularly polarized light to illuminate the reticle and thereby eliminate the feature orientation bias. Thus, print biases are reduced. 
     C. Polarization and Wave Plates 
     The properties of wave plates are shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. FIG. 2B illustrates the properties of a quarter-wave plate. Linearly polarized input  240  enters the wave plate  245  at the input polarization plane  255 . The optic axis  250  and other factors discussed in detail below determine the orientation of the output light. Here, wave plate  245  is designed to produce circularly polarized output  260 . 
     Similarly, FIG. 2C illustrates the properties of a half-wave plate. Linearly polarized input  265  enters the wave plate  270  at the input polarization plane  280 . The optic axis  275  and other factors discussed in detail below determine the orientation of the output light. Here, wave plate  270  is designed to produce linearly polarized with plane of polarization retarded output  285 . 
     Wave plates (retardation plates or phase shifters) are made from materials which exhibit birefringence. Birefringent materials, such as crystals, are generally anisotropic. This means that the atomic binding forces on the electron clouds are different in different directions and as a result so are the refractive indices. 
     In the case of uniaxial birefringent crystals, a single symmetry axis (actually a direction) known as the optic axis (shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C as elements  250  and  275 , respectively) displays two distinct principal indices of refraction: the maximum index n o  (the slow axis) and the minimum index n e  (the fast axis). These two indices correspond to light field oscillations parallel and perpendicular to the optic axis. 
     The maximum index results in ordinary rays passing through the material. The minimum index results in extraordinary rays passing through the material. The velocities of the extraordinary and ordinary rays through the birefringent materials vary intensely with their refractive indices. The difference in velocities gives rise to a phase difference when the two beams recombine. In the case of an incident linearly polarized beam this is given by:          α   =     2      π                 d          (       n   e     -     n   o       )     λ         ;                          
     where α is the phase difference; d is the thickness of wave plate; n e , n o  are the refractive indices of the extraordinary and ordinary rays respectively, and λ is the wavelength. Thus, at any specific wavelength the phase difference is governed by the thickness of the wave plate. 
     As discussed above, FIG. 2B illustrates the operation of a quarter-wave plate. The thickness of the quarter-wave plate is such that the phase difference is ¼-wavelength (zero order) or some multiple of ¼ wavelength (multiple order). If the angle between the electric field vector of the incident linearly polarized beam and the retarder principal plane of the quarter-wave plate is 45 degrees, the emergent beam is circularly polarized. 
     Additionally, when a quarter-wave plate is double passed, e.g., when the light passes through it twice because it is reflected off a mirror, it acts as a half-wave plate. 
     By quarter-wave plate is meant a thickness of birefringent material which introduces a quarter of a wavelength of the incident light. This is in contrast to an integral number of half plus quarter-waves or two thicknesses of material whose phase retardance differs by a quarter-wave. The deleterious effects of large angle of incidence variations are thereby minimized at the high numerical aperture by the use of such zero order wave plates, and by restricting the field size in the plane of incidence. 
     Similarly, FIG. 2C illustrates the operation of a half-wave plate. The thickness of a half-wave plate is such that the phase difference is ½-wavelength (zero order) or some odd multiple of ½-wavelength (multiple order). A linearly polarized beam incident on a half-wave plate emerges as a linearly polarized beam but rotated such that its angle to the optical axis is twice that of the incident beam. 
     II. Terminology 
     To more clearly delineate the present invention, an effort is made throughout the specification to adhere to the following term definitions as consistently as possible. 
     The term “circuitry” refers to the features designed for use in a semiconductor device. 
     The term “feature orientation” refers to the patterns printed on a reticle to projection. 
     The term “long conjugate end” refers to the plane at the object or reticle end of the optical system. 
     The term “print bias” refers to the variations in the lines on the wafer produced by asymmetries in the optical system. Asymmetries are produced by diffraction at various stages of the system and the reticle. 
     The term “semiconductor” refers to a solid state substance that can be electrically altered. 
     The term “semiconductor chip” refers to semiconductor device possessing any number of transistors or other components. 
     The term “semiconductor device” refers to electronic equipment possessing semiconductor chips or other elements. 
     The term “short conjugate end” refers to the plane at the image or wafer end of the optical system. 
     The term “wave plate” refers to retardation plates or phase shifters made from materials which exhibit birefringence. 
     III. Example Implementations 
     A. Optical System with Elimination of Reticle Diffraction Induced Bias 
     The present invention uses circularly polarized light to eliminate the reticle diffraction induced biases of conventional systems. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that eliminates such asymmetries or print biases. A first quarter-wave plate  305  is introduced before the object or reticle plane  110 . First quarter-wave plate  305  converts the linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light, as illustrated in FIG.  2 B. As discussed above, circularly polarized light is indistinguishable from unpolarized light in its imaging behavior. The imaging behavior of unpolarized light is such that it diffracts equally regardless of the orientation of the feature through which it is projected. Thus the print biases which result from reticle diffraction are reduced. 
     In order to minimize transmission loss through the rest of the optical system, second quarter-wave plate  315  is inserted to linearly polarize the radiation before the optical component group  320 . 
     With respect to quarter-wave plates  305 ,  315 ,  340  and  360 , one orientation is to have the first quarter-wave plate  305  oriented with its fast axis parallel to that of the input light. The second quarter-wave plate  315  and fourth quarter-wave plate  360  have their fast axes in a parallel orientation but perpendicular to the fast axis of third quarter-wave plate  340 . 
     B. Alternate Embodiment 
     It is also apparent to one skilled in the relevant art that second quarter-wave plate  315  could be inserted into the system anywhere before the beamsplitter  350 . This aspect is shown in FIG. 4 where second quarter-wave plate  425  serves the same function. The transmission loss caused by the use of circularly polarized light within optical component group  320  influences the placement of second quarter-wave plate  425 . 
     Specifically, the use of unpolarized or circularly polarized light at the beamsplitter would cause a transmission loss of 50%. If a non-polarized beamsplitter were to be used, 75% of the light would be lost. Therefore, while alternate embodiments are possible, they may not be feasibly implemented. 
     With respect to quarter-wave plates  405 ,  425 ,  440  and  460 , one orientation is to have the first quarter-wave plate  405  oriented with its fast axis parallel to that of the input light. The second quarter-wave plate  425  and fourth quarter-wave plate  460  have their fast axes in a parallel orientation but perpendicular to the fast axis of third quarter-wave plate  440 . 
     C. Further Embodiments 
     The present invention can be implemented in various projection optic systems. For example, the present invention can be implemented in catadioptric systems as described in detail herein, as well as refractive and reflective systems. On skilled in the relevant art, based at least on the teachings provided herein, would recognize that the embodiments of the present invention are applicable to other reduction systems. More detailed embodiments of the present invention as provided below. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the optical reduction system of the present invention. From its long conjugate end, it comprises an first quarter-wave plate  508 , an object or reticle plane  110 , a second quarter-wave plate  511 , a first lens group LG 1 , a folding mirror  520 , a second lens group LG 2 , a beamsplitter cube  530 , a third quarter-wave plate  532 , a concave mirror  534 , a second quarter-wave plate  538 , and a third lens group LG 3 . The image is formed at image or wafer plane  180 . The first lens group LG 1  comprises a shell  512 , a spaced doublet including positive lens  514  and negative lens  516 , and positive lens  518 . The shell  512  is an almost zero power or zero power lens. The second lens group LG 2  comprises a positive lens  522 , a spaced doublet including a negative lens  524  and a positive lens  526 , and negative lens  528 . The third lens group LG 3  comprises two positive lenses  540  and  542 , which are strongly positive, shell  544 , and two positive lenses  546  and  548 , which are weakly positive. The first quarter-wave plate  508  passes circularly polarized light incident upon the object or reticle plane  110 . The folding mirror  520  is not essential to the operation of the present invention. However, the folding mirror permits the object and image planes to be parallel which is convenient for one intended application of the optical system of the present invention, which is the manufacture of semiconductor devices using photolithography with a step and scan system. 
     Radiation enters the system at the long conjugate end and passes through the first lens group LG 1 , is reflected by the folding mirror  520 , and passes through the second lens group LG 2 . The radiation enters the beamsplitter cube  530  and is reflected from surface  536  passing through quarter-wave plate  532  and reflected by concave mirror  534 . The radiation then passes back through the quarter-wave plate  532 , the beamsplitter cube  530 , the quarter-wave plate  538 , lens group LG 3 , and is focused at the image or wafer plane  180 . 
     Lens groups upstream of the mirror, LG 1  and LG 2 , provide only enough power to image the entrance pupil at infinity to the aperture stop  531  at or near the concave mirror  534 . The combined power of lens groups LG 1  and LG 2  is slightly negative. The shell  512  and air spaced doublet  514  and  516  assist in aberration corrections including astigmatism, field curvature, and distortion. The lens group LG 3 , after the concave mirror  534 , provides most of the reduction from object to image size, as well as projecting the aperture stop to an infinite exit pupil. The two strongly positive lenses  540  and  542  provide a high numerical aperture at the image and exit pupils and infinity. The shell  544  has almost no power. The two weakly positive lenses  546  and  548  help correct high order aberrations. The concave mirror  534  may provide a reduction ratio of between 1.6 and 2.7 times that of the total system. 
     The negative lens  524  in the second lens group LG 2  provides a strongly diverging beam directed at the beamsplitter cube  530  and concave mirror  534 . The strongly positive lens  522  provides lateral color correction. The air space doublet comprising lenses  524  and  526  helps to correct spherical aberrations and coma. Concave mirror  534  is preferably aspheric, therefore helping further reduce high order aberrations. 
     The transmission losses introduced by the beamsplitter cube  530  are minimized by illuminating the object or reticle with linearly polarized light and including a quarter-wave plate  532  between the beamsplitter cube  530  and the concave mirror  534 . Additionally, by increasing the numerical aperture in lens group LG 3 , after the concave mirror  534  and beamsplitter cube  530 , the greatest angular range is not seen in these elements. 
     However, the use of linearly polarized light at numerical apertures greater than about 0.5 introduces small but noticeable asymmetries in the imaging. In the present invention, this can effectively be removed by introducing another quarter-wave plate  538  after the final passage through the beamsplitter cube  530 , thereby converting the linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light. This circularly polarized light is basically indistinguishable from unpolarized light in its imaging behavior. 
     The optical system illustrated in FIG. 5 is designed to operate at a reduction ratio of 4 to 1. Therefore, the numerical aperture in the image space is reduced from 0.7 by a factor of 4 to 0.175 at the object or reticle plane  110 . In other words, the object space numerical aperture is 0.175 and the image space numerical aperture is 0.7. Upon leaving the first lens group LG 1  the numerical aperture is reduced to 0.12, a consequence of the positive power needed in lens group LG 1  to image the entrance pupil at infinity to the aperture stop of the system close to the concave mirror  534 . The numerical aperture after leaving the second lens group LG 2  and entering the beamsplitter is 0.19. Therefore, the emerging numerical aperture from the second lens group LG 2 , which is 0.19, is larger than the entering or object space numerical aperture of lens group LG 1 , which is 0.175. In other words, the second lens group LG 2  has an emerging numerical aperture greater than the entering numerical aperture of the first lens group LG 1 . This is very similar to the object space numerical aperture, which is 0.175, due to the overall negative power of the second lens group LG 2 . This is contrary to prior art systems where the numerical aperture entering a beamsplitter cube is typically close to zero or almost collimated. The concave mirror  534  being almost concentric, the numerical aperture of the radiation reflected from it is increased only slightly from 0.19 to 0.35. The third lens group LG 3  effectively doubles the numerical aperture to its final value of 0.7 at the wafer or image plane  180 . 
     The present invention achieves its relatively high numerical aperture without obstruction by the edges of the beamsplitter cube by means of the negative second group LG 2  and the strongly positive third lens group LG 3 . The use of the beamsplitter cube  530  rather than a plate beamsplitter is important in the present invention because at numerical apertures greater than about 0.45 a beamsplitter cube will provide better performance. There is a reduction of the numerical aperture within the cube by the refractive index of the glass, as well as the absence of aberrations that would be introduced by a tilted plate beamsplitter in the non-collimated beam entering the beamsplitter. The construction data for the lens system illustrated in FIG. 5 according to the present invention is given in Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Radius of Curvature 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Element 
                 (mm) 
                 Thickness 
                 Aperture Diameter (mm) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Number 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 (mm) 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 Glass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 508 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 4.500 
                 123.0000 
                 123.0000 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                 0.7500 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 110 
                 Infinite 
                 63.3853 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 0.7500 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 511 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 4.500 
                 123.0000 
                 123.0000 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 0.7500 
               
               
                 512 
                 −158.7745 
                 −177.8880 
                 15.0000 
                 124.0478 
                 131.7725 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 36.1130 
               
               
                 514 
                 −556.6911 
                 −202.0072 
                 22.2126 
                 148.3881 
                 152.5669 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 38.7188 
               
               
                 516 
                 −183.7199 
                 −558.8803 
                 15.0000 
                 156.5546 
                 166.5750 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 10.0674 
               
               
                 518 
                 427.2527 
                 −612.2450 
                 28.8010 
                 177.4010 
                 179.0292 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 132.3320 
               
             
          
           
               
                 520 
                 Infinite 
                 −74.0000 
                 184.6402 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 522 
                 −240.4810 
                 2050.9592 
                 −33.3135 
                 188.4055 
                 185.3395 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −29.3434 
               
               
                 524 
                 421.7829 
                 −145.6176 
                 −12.0000 
                 175.5823 
                 169.0234 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −4.2326 
               
               
                 526 
                 −150.4759 
                 472.0653 
                 −46.5091 
                 171.4244 
                 169.9587 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 528 
                 −1472.2790 
                 −138.2223 
                 −15.0000 
                 165.3586 
                 154.8084 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −27.2060 
               
               
                 530 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −91.8186 
                 155.6662 
                 253.0917 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 536 
                 Infinite 
                   
                 253.0917 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 530 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 91.8186 
                 253.0917 
                 253.0917 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 2.0000 
               
               
                 532 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 6.0000 
                 185.8693 
                 186.8401 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 17.9918 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                   
                 188.0655 
               
             
          
           
               
                 534 
                 Aspheric 
                 −17.9918 
                 188.0655 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 532 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −6.0000 
                 183.5471 
                 180.1419 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 530 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −91.8186 
                 178.3346 
                 149.2832 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 530 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −70.000 
                 149.2832 
                 128.8604 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 538 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −4.500 
                 127.9681 
                 126.6552 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.7500 
               
               
                 540 
                 −175.1330 
                 1737.4442 
                 −17.7754 
                 121.4715 
                 118.2689 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.7500 
               
               
                 542 
                 −108.8178 
                 −580.1370 
                 −18.2407 
                 104.5228 
                 97.7967 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.7500 
               
               
                 544 
                 −202.2637 
                 −86.6025 
                 −31.1216 
                 91.7061 
                 57.4968 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.3507 
               
               
                 546 
                 −122.1235 
                 −488.7122 
                 −17.9476 
                 56.4818 
                 41.1675 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.2000 
               
               
                 548 
                 −160.8506 
                 −360.1907 
                 −6.1500 
                 39.4528 
                 33.5764 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −4.000 
               
             
          
           
               
                 180 
                 Infinite 
                   
                 26.5019 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Concave mirror  534  has an aspheric reflective surface according to the following equation:          Z   =           (   CURV   )          Y   2         1   +       1   -       (     1   +   k     )            (   CURV   )     2          Y   2               +       (   A   )          Y   4       +       (   B   )          Y   6       +       (   D   )          Y   10       +       (   E   )          Y   12       +       (   F   )          Y   14           ;                          
     wherein the constants are as follows: 
     CURV=−0.00289051 
     K=0.000000 
     A=6.08975×10 −11    
     B=2.64378×10 14    
     C=9.82237×10 −19    
     D=7.98056×10 −23    
     E=−5.96805×10 −27    
     F=4.85179×10 −31    
     The lens according to the construction in Table 1 is optimized for radiation centered on 248.4 nanometers. The single refracting material of fused silica and the large portion of refracting power restricts the spectral bandwidth of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 to about 10 picometers or 0.01 nanometers. This spectral bandwidth is more than adequate for a line narrowed krypton fluoride excimer laser light source. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 can be optimized for any wavelength for which fused silica transmits adequately. 
     A wider spectral bandwidth can be achieved by the use of two optical materials with different dispersions. A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  6 . From its long conjugate end, it comprises a first quarter-wave plate  608 , an object or reticle plane  110 , a second quarter-wave plate  611 , a lens group LG 4 , a folding mirror  622 , a lens group LG 5 , a beamsplitter cube  632  having surface  638 , a third quarter-wave plate  634 , a concave mirror  636 , a fourth quarter-wave plate  640 , and lens group LG 6 . The image is formed at image or wafer plane  180 . The lens group LG 4  comprises a spaced doublet including negative lens  612  and positive lens  614 , a weak positive lens  616 , positive lens  618 , and shell  620 . The lens group LG 5  comprises a positive lens  624 , a negative lens  626 , a positive lens  628 , and a negative lens  630 . The lens group LG 6  comprises two positive lenses  642 , cemented doublet including positive lens  644  and negative lens  646 , positive lens  648 , and cemented doublet including shell  650  and positive lens  652 . 
     This second embodiment uses calcium fluoride in one of the individual positive lenses of the lens group LG 4 , negative lenses of the lens group LG 5 , and two of the positive lenses of the lens group LG 6 . The construction data of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 of the present invention is given in Table 2 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Radius of Curvature 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Element 
                 (mm) 
                 Thickness 
                 Aperture Diameter (mm) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Number 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 (mm) 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 Glass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 608 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 4.5000 
                 123.0000 
                 123.0000 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                 0.5000 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 110 
                 Infinite 
                 60.4852 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                  0.5000 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 611 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 4.5000 
                 123.0000 
                 123.0000 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 612 
                 −205.5158 
                 539.1791 
                 15.2158 
                 124.0926 
                 137.3346 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 8.8054 
               
               
                 614 
                 2080.9700 
                 −210.6539 
                 32.4984 
                 142.6149 
                 151.7878 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 1.2676 
               
               
                 616 
                 310.4463 
                 700.3748 
                 40.7304 
                 162.4908 
                 165.2126 
                 CaFl 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 0.5000 
               
               
                 618 
                 634.1820 
                 −798.8523 
                 27.5892 
                 165.4595 
                 166.4747 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 0.5000 
               
               
                 620 
                 1480.0597 
                 1312.1247 
                 25.4322 
                 168.7516 
                 164.7651 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 136.2343 
               
             
          
           
               
                 622 
                 Infinite 
                 −74.0000 
                 161.9590 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 624 
                 −761.9176 
                 1088.9351 
                 −19.2150 
                 160.3165 
                 159.2384 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −19.9465 
               
               
                 626 
                 648.8361 
                 −202.5872 
                 −12.0000 
                 155.1711 
                 153.0635 
                 CaFl 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −7.6304 
               
               
                 628 
                 −400.4276 
                 458.5060 
                 −25.8769 
                 153.0635 
                 153.8055 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 630 
                 −818.0922 
                 −168.5034 
                 −27.5927 
                 152.6663 
                 147.5200 
                 CaFl 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −20.5014 
               
               
                 632 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −91.7553 
                 148.6158 
                 252.7349 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 638 
                 Infinite 
                   
                 252.7349 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 632 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 91.7553 
                 252.7349 
                 252.7349 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 2.0000 
               
               
                 634 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 6.0000 
                 185.8070 
                 187.0026 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 18.1636 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                   
                 188.5681 
               
             
          
           
               
                 636 
                 Aspheric 
                 −18.1636 
                 188.5681 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 634 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −6.0000 
                 184.2566 
                 181.1084 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 632 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −91.7553 
                 179.3838 
                 151.7747 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 632 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −70.0000 
                 151.7747 
                 133.3985 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 640 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −4.5000 
                 132.5690 
                 131.3876 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.5000 
               
               
                 642 
                 −112.0665 
                 −597.6805 
                 −21.4866 
                 123.4895 
                 119.2442 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.5000 
               
               
                 644 
                 −116.3137 
                 282.3140 
                 −24.0940 
                 107.8451 
                 101.2412 
                 CaFl 
               
               
                 646 
                 282.3140 
                 −66.5293 
                 −13.7306 
                 101.2412 
                 72.6862 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.6346 
               
               
                 648 
                 −77.2627 
                 −374.4800 
                 −17.9594 
                 72.0749 
                 62.7659 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.5452 
               
               
                 650 
                 −130.1381 
                 −57.1295 
                 −20.8147 
                 58.9696 
                 37.4889 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 652 
                 −57.1295 
                 −7305.8777 
                 −6.1425 
                 37.4889 
                 34.3156 
                 CaFl 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −4.0000 
               
             
          
           
               
                 180 
                 Infinite 
                   
                 26.4992 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     wherein the constants for the aspheric mirror  634  used in the equation after Table 1 are as follows: 
     CURV=−0.00286744 
     K=0.000000 
     A=−1.92013×10 −09    
     B=−3.50840×10 −14    
     C=2.95934×10 −19    
     D=−1.10495×10 −22    
     E=9.03439×10 −27    
     F=−1.39494×10 −31    
     This second embodiment is optimized for radiation centered on 193.3 nanometers and has a spectral bandwidth of about 200 picometers or 0.2 nanometers. A slightly line narrowed argon fluoride excimer laser is an adequate light source. Additionally, the design can be optimized for any wavelength for which both refractive materials transmit adequately. The bandwidth will generally increase for longer wavelengths, as the material dispersions decrease. For example, around 248.4 nanometers such a two-material design will operate over at least a 400 picometers, 0.4 nanometers bandwidth. 
     At wavelengths longer than 360 nanometers, a wider range of optical glasses begin to have adequate transmission. A third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 takes advantage of this wider selection of glasses and further reduced dispersion. From its long conjugate end, it comprises a first quarter-wave plate  708 , an object or reticle plane  110 , a second quarter-wave plate  711 , a lens group LG 7 , a folding mirror  722 , a lens group LG 8 , a beamsplitter cube  732  having a surface  738 , a third quarter-wave plate  734 , a concave mirror  736 , a fourth quarter-wave plate  740 , and lens group LG 9 . The image is formed at image or wafer plane  180 . The lens group LG 7  comprises a spaced doublet comprising negative lens  712  and positive lens  714 , spaced doublet including positive lens  716  and negative lens  718 , and positive lens  720 . The lens group LG 8  comprises a positive lens  724 , a negative lens  726 , a positive lens  728 , and a negative lens  730 . The lens group LG 9  comprises a positive lenses  742 , cemented doublet including positive lens  744  and negative lens  746 , positive lens  748 , and cemented doublet including shell  750  and positive lens  752 . 
     The construction data of the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 is given in Table 3 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Radius of Curvature 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Element 
                 (mm) 
                 Thickness 
                 Aperture Diameter (mm) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Number 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 (mm) 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 Glass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 708 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 4.5000 
                 125.0000 
                 125.0000 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                 0.5000 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 110 
                 Infinite 
                 59.2960 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 0.5000 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 711 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 4.5000 
                 125.0000 
                 125.0000 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 712 
                 −620.7809 
                 361.8305 
                 20.2974 
                 125.9406 
                 134.7227 
                 PBM2Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 2.6174 
               
               
                 714 
                 515.7935 
                 −455.1015 
                 39.8858 
                 135.3384 
                 145.6015 
                 PBM2Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 14.7197 
               
               
                 716 
                 431.3189 
                 −239.4002 
                 36.9329 
                 155.6269 
                 157.3014 
                 BSL7Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 0.5000 
               
               
                 718 
                 −259.6013 
                 685.3286 
                 26.3534 
                 156.9363 
                 162.2451 
                 PBM2Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 1.4303 
               
               
                 720 
                 361.5709 
                 −1853.2955 
                 23.3934 
                 168.7516 
                 165.1801 
                 BAL15Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 131.8538 
               
             
          
           
               
                 722 
                 Infinite 
                 −77.8469 
                 169.9390 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 724 
                 −429.2950 
                 455.4247 
                 −32.3086 
                 173.0235 
                 171.1102 
                 PBL6Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −27.6206 
               
               
                 726 
                 401.0363 
                 −180.0031 
                 −12.0000 
                 159.3555 
                 154.7155 
                 BSL7Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −5.6227 
               
               
                 728 
                 −258.4722 
                 1301.3764 
                 −26.1321 
                 154.7155 
                 154.1517 
                 PBM8Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 730 
                 −1282.8931 
                 −180.2226 
                 −12.0000 
                 153.1461 
                 149.4794 
                 BSL7Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −19.7282 
               
               
                 732 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −91.7349 
                 150.4585 
                 252.6772 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 738 
                 Infinite 
                   
                 252.6772 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 732 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 91.7349 
                 252.6772 
                 252.6772 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 2.0000 
               
               
                 734 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 6.0000 
                 185.6435 
                 186.7758 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 18.2715 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                   
                 188.1745 
               
             
          
           
               
                 736 
                 Aspheric 
                 −18.2715 
                 188.1745 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 734 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −6.0000 
                 183.6393 
                 180.1377 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 732 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −91.7349 
                 178.3236 
                 147.9888 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 732 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −70.0000 
                 147.9888 
                 126.9282 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.000 
               
               
                 740 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −4.5000 
                 126.0289 
                 124.6750 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.5000 
               
               
                 742 
                 −119.8912 
                 −610.6840 
                 −18.6508 
                 117.5305 
                 113.4233 
                 BSM51Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.5000 
               
               
                 744 
                 −114.1327 
                 384.9135 
                 −21.1139 
                 102.6172 
                 96.4137 
                 BSL7Y 
               
               
                 746 
                 384.9135 
                 −70.2077 
                 −13.0576 
                 96.4137 
                 71.1691 
                 PBL26Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.8552 
               
               
                 748 
                 −85.7858 
                 −400.3240 
                 −16.9147 
                 70.5182 
                 61.2633 
                 BSM51Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.8180 
               
               
                 750 
                 −151.5235 
                 −54.0114 
                 −19.5810 
                 57.6234 
                 37.3909 
                 BSM51Y 
               
               
                 752 
                 −54.0114 
                 −2011.1057 
                 −6.3947 
                 37.3909 
                 34.2119 
                 PBL6Y 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −4.0000 
               
             
          
           
               
                 180 
                 Infinite 
                   
                 26.5002 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     wherein the constants for the aspheric mirror  736  used in the equation after Table 1 as follows: 
     CURV=−0.00291648 
     K=0.000000 
     A=−1.27285×10 −9    
     B=−1.92865×10 −14    
     C=6.21813×10 −19    
     D=−6.80975×10 23    
     E=6.04233×10 −27    
     F=3.64479×10 −32    
     This third embodiment operates over a spectral bandwidth of 8 nanometers centered on 365.5 nanometers. A radiation of this spectral bandwidth can be provided by a filtered mercury arc lamp at the I-line waveband. The optical glasses other than fused silica used in this third embodiment are commonly known as I-line glasses. These optical glasses have the least absorption or solarization effects at the mercury I-line wavelength. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the optical reduction system of the present invention. This embodiment has a numerical aperture of 0.63 and can operate at a spectral bandwidth of 300 picometers, and preferably of 100 picometers, centered on 248.4 nanometers. From the long conjugate end, it includes a first quarter-wave plate  808 , an object or reticle plane  110 , a second quarter-wave plate  811 , a first lens group LG 1 , a folding mirror  820 , a second lens group LG 2 , a beamsplitter cube  830 , a first quarter-wave plate  832 , a concave mirror  834 , a second quarter-wave plate  838 , and a third lens group LG 3 . The image is formed at the image or wafer plane  180 . 
     The first lens group LG 1  comprises a shell  812 , a spaced doublet including a positive lens  814  and a negative lens  816 , and a positive lens  818 . The second lens group LG 2  comprises a positive lens  822 , a spaced doublet including a negative lens  824  and a positive lens  826 , and a negative lens  828 . The third lens group LG 3  comprises two positive lenses  840  and  842 , a shell  844 , and two positive lenses  846  and  848 . Again, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the folding mirror  820  of FIG. 8 is not essential to the operation of the invention, but nevertheless permits the object  110  and image plane  180  to be parallel to each other which is convenient for the manufacture of semiconductor devices using photolithography. 
     The construction data of the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 is given in Table 4 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Radius of Curvature 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Element 
                 (mm) 
                 Thickness 
                 Aperture Diameter (mm) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Number 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 (mm) 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 Glass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 808 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 4.5000 
                 122.0000 
                 122.0000 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                 2.0000 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 110 
                 Infinite 
                 63.3853 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 2.0000 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 811 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 4.5000 
                 122.0000 
                 122.0000 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 812 
                 −183.5661 
                 −215.7867CX 
                 17.0000 
                 122.8436 
                 130.6579 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 46.6205 
               
               
                 814 
                 −601.1535CC 
                 −230.9702CX 
                 21.4839 
                 149.1476 
                 153.3103 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 68.8075 
               
               
                 816 
                 −195.1255 
                 −345.4510CX 
                 15.0000 
                 161.6789 
                 170.1025 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 3.0000 
               
               
                 818 
                 435.8058CX 
                 −1045.1785CX 
                 24.9351 
                 177.4250 
                 178.2672 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 130.0000 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Decenter(1) 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 820 
                 Infinite 
                 −64.5000 
                 180.3457 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 822 
                 −210.7910CX 
                 380.1625CX 
                 −43.1418 
                 181.6672 
                 178.0170 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −15.8065 
               
               
                 824 
                 300.1724CC 
                 −123.4555CC 
                 −12.0000 
                 166.7278 
                 152.3101 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −3.8871 
               
               
                 826 
                 −126.8915CX 
                 972.6391CX 
                 −41.3263 
                 154.8530 
                 151.8327 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.5000 
               
               
                 828 
                 −626.4905CX 
                 −116.6456CC 
                 −12.0000 
                 147.6711 
                 136.1163 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −31.8384 
               
               
                 830 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −74.0000 
                 137.2448 
                 200.1127 
                 Silica 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Decenter(2) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 836 
                 Infinite 
                   
                 200.1128 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 830 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 74.0000 
                 200.1127 
                 200.1127 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 2.0000 
               
               
                 832 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 6.0000 
                 148.6188 
                 149.0707 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 14.4638 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                   
                 149.6392 
               
             
          
           
               
                 834 
                 Aspheric 
                 −14.4638 
                 149.6392 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 832 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −6.0000 
                 144.8563 
                 141.2737 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 830 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −74.000 
                 139.3606 
                 117.3979 
                 Silica 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Decenter(3) 
               
               
                 830 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −61.000 
                 117.3979 
                 100.5074 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −2.0000 
               
               
                 838 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −4.5000 
                 99.6617 
                 98.4157 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.2000 
               
               
                 840 
                 −157.8776CX 
                 2282.2178CX 
                 −13.7501 
                 94.8267 
                 91.8775 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.2000 
               
               
                 842 
                 −94.0059CX 
                 −46.6659CC 
                 −13.4850 
                 82.8663 
                 78.1418 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.2000 
               
               
                 844 
                 −147.2485CX 
                 −77.8924CC 
                 −22.2075 
                 72.7262 
                 50.6555 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −3.2091 
               
               
                 846 
                 −159.2880CX 
                 −519.4850CC 
                 −13.8321 
                 49.5648 
                 39.0473 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.2000 
               
               
                 848 
                 −129.3683CX 
                 −426.7350CC 
                 −6.1500 
                 37.3816 
                 32.4880 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                 Image Distance = 
                 −4.0000 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 850 
                 Image 
                 infinite 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The constants for the aspheric mirror  834  used in the equation located after Table 1 are as follows: 
     CURV=−0.00332614 
     K=0.000000 
     A=−4.32261E−10 
     B=3.50228E−14 
     C=7.13264E−19 
     D=2.73587E−22 
     This fourth embodiment is optimized for radiation centered on 248.4 nm. The single refracting material of fused silica and the large portion of refracting power restricts the spectral bandwidth of the embodiment depicted in FIG.  8 . However, because the fourth embodiment has a maximum numerical aperture of 0.63 rather than of 0.7 as in the first three embodiments, the fourth embodiment provides acceptable imaging over a spectral full-width-half-maximum bandwidth of 300 picometers, or preferably of 100 picometers. Thus, in the former, an unnarrowed, or, in the latter, a narrowed excimer laser can be employed for the illumination source. 
     The fourth embodiment differs from the first three embodiments in that the net power of LG 1  and LG 2  of the fourth embodiment is weakly positive rather than weakly negative as in the first three embodiments. In addition, this illustrates that the overall focal power of LG 1  plus LG 2  can be either positive or negative and still permit an infinitely distant entrance pupil to be imaged at or near the concave mirror  834 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the optical reduction system of the present invention. Preferably, this embodiment has a numerical aperture of 0.60 and operates at a spectral bandwidth of 300 picometers centered on 248.4 nanometers. From the long conjugate end, it includes a first quarter-wave plate  908 , an object or reticle plane  110 , a second quarter-wave plate  911 , a first lens group LG 1 , a folding mirror  920 , a second lens group LG 2 , a beamsplitter cube  930 , a third quarter-wave plate  932 , a concave mirror  934 , a fourth quarter-wave plate  938 , and a third lens group LG 3 . The image is formed at an image or wafer plane  180 . 
     The first lens group LG 1  comprises a shell  912 , a spaced doublet including a positive lens  914  and a negative lens  916 , and a positive lens  918 . The second lens group LG 2  comprises a positive lens  922 , a spaced doublet including a negative lens  924  and a positive lens  926 , and a negative lens  928 . The third lens group LG 3  comprises two positive lenses  940  and  942 , a shell  944 , and two positive lenses  946  and  948 . Again, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the folding mirror  920  of FIG. 9 is not essential to the operation of the invention, but nevertheless permits the object and image planes to be parallel to each other which is convenient for the manufacture of semiconductor devices using photolithography. 
     The construction data of the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 is given in Table 5 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Radius of Curvature 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Element 
                 (mm) 
                 Thickness 
                 Aperture Diameter (mm) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Number 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 (mm) 
                 Front 
                 Back 
                 Glass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 908 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −4.4550 
                 120.0000 
                 120.0000 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                 1.1880 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 910 
                 Infinite 
                 62.7514 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 1.1880 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 911 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −4.4550 
                 120.0000 
                 120.0000 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 912 
                 −136.1154 CC 
                 −152.5295 CX 
                 16.8300 
                 120.7552 
                 129.4354 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 4.5206 
               
               
                 914 
                 −270.1396 CC 
                 −191.8742 CX 
                 20.5341 
                 132.9152 
                 139.0377 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 90.8476 
               
               
                 916 
                 −188.9000 CC 
                 −284.7476 CX 
                 17.5000 
                 156.1938 
                 165.6567 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 2.9700 
               
               
                 918 
                   433.8174 CX 
                 −841.5599CX 
                 25.8293 
                 173.8279 
                 174.8334 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 149.4549 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Decenter(1) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 920 
                 Infinite 
                 −61.0000 
                 177.2183 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 922 
                 −190.3251 CX 
                 −8413.4836 CC 
                 −34.4584 
                 178.5071 
                 174.2260 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −51.5487 
               
               
                 924 
                 690.5706 CC 
                 −146.4997 CC 
                 −11.8800 
                 150.4109 
                 141.8021 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −10.6267 
               
               
                 526 
                 −265.9886 CX 
                 1773.5314CX 
                 −24.1851 
                 142.1851 
                 141.2400 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.5000 
               
               
                 928 
                 −244.9899 CX 
                 −142.8558 CC 
                 −11.8800 
                 139.3290 
                 133.8967 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −21.6411 
               
               
                 930 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −71.2800 
                 134.3115 
                 189.7826 
                 Silica 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Decenter(2) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 936 
                 Infinite 
                   
                 189.7826 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 930 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 71.2800 
                 189.7826 
                 189.7826 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 1.9800 
               
               
                 932 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 5.9400 
                 142.3429 
                 142.6707 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 18.5263 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                   
                 143.5034 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 934 
                 Aspheric 
                 −18.5263 
                 143.5034 
                 Reflection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 932 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −5.9400 
                 134.2788 
                 130.9398 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.9800 
               
               
                 930 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −71.2800 
                 130.1221 
                 111.7247 
                 Silica 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Decenter (3) 
               
               
                 930 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −60.4000 
                 111.7247 
                 96.1353 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.9800 
               
               
                 938 
                 Infinite 
                 Infinite 
                 −4.4550 
                 95.3562 
                 94.2064 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.1880 
               
               
                 940 
                 −127.4561 CX 
                 −1398.8019CC 
                 −13.0104 
                 90.4737 
                 87.7002 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.1880 
               
               
                 942 
                 −98.8795 CX 
                 −424.1302 CC 
                 −12.2874 
                 80.7016 
                 76.3270 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −1.1880 
               
               
                 944 
                 −132.0104 CX 
                 −70.9574 CC 
                 −17.8706 
                 71.0789 
                 53.4306 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −3.1246 
               
               
                 946 
                 −123.1071 CX 
                 −585.4471 CC 
                 −19.9496 
                 52.6417 
                 38.2256 
                 Silica 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                 −0.1980 
               
               
                 948 
                 −137.8349 CX 
                 −292.6179 CX 
                 −6.0885 
                 36.7251 
                 31.8484 
                 Silica 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Space 
                 Image Distance = 
                 −4.0000 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 950 
                 Image 
                 Infinite 
                 26.5000 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The constants for the aspheric mirror  934  used in the equation located after table 1 are as follows: 
     CURV=−0.00325995 
     K=0.000000 
     A=−6.91799E−10 
     B=5.26952E−15 
     C=6.10046E−19 
     D=1.59429E−22 
     This fifth embodiment is optimized for radiation centered on 248.4 nm. THE single refracting material of fused silica and the large portion of refracting power restricts the spectral bandwidth of the embodiment depicted in FIG.  9 . However, because the fifth embodiment has a maximum numerical aperture of 0.6 rather than of 0.7 as in the first three embodiments, the fifth embodiment provides acceptable imaging over a spectral full-width-half-maximum bandwidth of 300 picometers. Thus, an unnarrowed excimer laser can be employed for an illumination source. The fifth embodiment differs from the first three embodiments in that the net power of LG 1  and LG 2  of the fifth embodiment is weakly positive rather than weakly negative as in the first three embodiments. In addition, this illustrates that the overall focal power of LG 1  plus LG 2  can be either positive or negative and still permit an infinitely distant entrance pupil to be imaged at or near the concave mirror  934 . 
     IV. Alternate Implementation 
     It is apparent to one skilled in the relevant art that the use of the first quarter-wave plate in any of the above embodiments depends on the initial polarization of the radiation incident on the long conjugate end. Therefore, if the polarization of the light is circular or unpolarized prior to the long conjugate end, then the first quarter-wave plate, used to transform linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light, could be omitted. 
     Such an implementation can be shown by omitting first quarter-wave plate  305  from FIG.  3  and/or first quarter-wave plate  405  from FIG.  4 . Further implementations of this configuration in the other embodiments described above are obvious to one skilled in the relevant art. 
     CONCLUSION 
     While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.