Patent ID: 7474469

Claim:
An arrangement of optical elements, comprising: a) a rigid first optical element having a concave optical surface and is formed as a meniscus lens, wherein the first optical element is made of fused silica or of a crystal material; b) a rigid second optical element having a first optical surface, which faces the concave optical surface of the first optical element, and a second optical surface opposite to the first optical surface, and c) a liquid that at least partially fills a space formed between the first optical element and the second optical element; d) wherein the index of refraction of the liquid is higher than the index of refraction of the first optical element and wherein the index of refraction of the liquid is smaller than the index of refraction of the second optical element; e) wherein the arrangement is configured to be used in an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus or in a projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus.