A projection optical system and method projects and forms an image of a pattern arrayed on a first surface (mask), and exhibiting a periodicity in a predetermined direction (X- or Y-direction), on a second surface (wafer). A stop has an aperture showing a line symmetry with respect to a symmetric axis intersecting an optical axis of the projection optical system and extending in a direction (Y- or X-direction) orthogonal to the predetermined direction and having the outline at least a part of which are rectilinear portions. The stop is disposed on a Fourier transform plane of the first surface within the projection optical system or a surface in the vicinity thereof.
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to provide a beam of radiation of radiation; a support configured to support a patterning device configured to impart a pattern to the beam of radiation; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, the projection system and/or illumination system including a focusing element; a plurality of stop discs each having an aperture therethrough different from the size and/or shape of the apertures of the other stop discs; and a mechanism configured to exchangeably place a selected one of the stop discs adjacent to the focusing element.
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to provide a beam of radiation and projection system configured to project the radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. At least one of the illumination system and the projection system includes a focusing element for reflecting or refracting the beam. A plurality of stop discs is provided, each having an aperture therethrough, together with a disc positioner configured to place one of the stop discs adjacent the focusing element to control the numerical aperture (NA) of the projection system or illumination system. The apparatus further includes a disc changer configured to select one of the stop discs and provide the selected stop disc to the disc positioner, the disc changer being external to the projection system or illumination system.
A lithographic apparatus including means for selectively transmitting a projection beam before imaging the patterned projection beam onto a substrate. The means may include any of the following: a selectively transmitting device disposed downstream of a patterning device in the direction of the projection beam, a fixed and a moving set of masking blades in a scanning system or an array of switchable elements. The means may be provided to a mask table/holder or to a frame or structure of the lithographic projection apparatus.
A lithographic apparatus including means for selectively transmitting a projection beam before imaging the patterned projection beam onto a substrate. The means may include any of the following: a selectively transmitting device disposed downstream of a patterning device in the direction of the projection beam, a fixed and a moving set of masking blades in a scanning system or an array of switchable elements. The means may be provided to a mask table/holder or to a frame or structure of the lithographic projection apparatus.
An optical imaging system is disclosed for selective thermal transfer of a material from a donor film to a substrate. The imaging system includes a light source assembly that is configured to emit a patterned light beam. The patterned light beam includes a plurality of discrete output light segments where the segments at most partially overlap. The imaging system further includes a light relay assembly that receives and projects the plurality of discrete output light segments onto a transfer plane so as to form a projected light segment by a substantial superposition of the plurality of discrete output light segments. When a donor film that includes a transferable material is placed proximate a substrate that lies in the transfer plane, the projected light segment is capable of inducing a transfer of the transferable material onto the substrate.
