A drive device for driving an actuator of an optical system comprises: a switching amplifier for generating an amplified signal depending on a modulation signal; a filter unit connected between the actuator and the switching amplifier and having at least one inductance; a providing unit for providing a supply voltage; and a two-quadrant controller having feedback capability coupled between the providing unit and the switching amplifier.

Embodiments disclosed herein include lithographic patterning systems for non-orthogonal patterning and devices formed with such patterning. In an embodiment, a lithographic patterning system comprises an actinic radiation source, where the actinic radiation source is configured to propagate light along an optical axis. In an embodiment, the lithographic patterning system further comprises a mask mount, where the mask mount is configurable to orient a surface of a mask at a first angle with respect to the optical axis. In an embodiment, the lithographic patterning system further comprises a lens module, and a substrate mount, where the substrate mount is configurable to orient a surface of a substrate at a second angle with respect to the optical axis.

An optical assembly of a microlithography imaging device comprises a holding device for holding an optical element. The holding device has a holding element having first and second interface sections. The first interface section for a first interface connecting the holding element and the optical element in an installed state. The second interface section forms a second interface connecting the holding element and a support unit in the installed state. The support unit connects the optical element to a support structure to support the optical element on the support structure via a supporting force. The holding device comprises an actuator device engaging on the holding element between the first and second interfaces. The actuator device acts on the holding element via a controller so that a specifiable interface deformation and/or a specifiable interface force distribution acting on the optical element is set on the first interface.

A method for operating a magnetic actuator comprises: ascertaining a mathematical model of the actuator which describes a change in a motor constant of the actuator as a function of the electrical drive power supplied; driving the actuator with a first electrical drive power as a function of a predetermined target force; ascertaining the change in the motor constant of the actuator on account of driving the actuator with the first electrical drive power via the mathematical model; ascertaining a correction value for the first electrical drive power as a function of the ascertained change in the motor constant; and driving the actuator with a second electrical drive power as a function of the first electrical drive power and the ascertained correction value.

An arrangement of a microlithographic optical imaging device includes first and supporting structures. The first supporting structure supports an optical element of the imaging device. The first supporting structure supports the second supporting structure via supporting spring devices of a vibration decoupling device. The supporting spring devices act kinematically parallel to one another between the first and second supporting structures. Each supporting spring device defines a supporting force direction and a supporting length along the supporting force direction. The second supporting structure supports a measuring device configured to measure the position and/or orientation of the optical element in relation to a reference in at least one degree of freedom and up to all six degrees of freedom in space. A creep compensation device compensates a change in a static relative situation between the first and second supporting structures in at least one correction degree of freedom.

An optical system for lithography apparatus comprises a movable element and a functional element having a first and second portions. The optical element is designed as an optical element or as a reference structure. The first portion is fastened to the movable element by a joining mechanism along a fastening plane. The second portion comprises a functional surface. The functional element comprises a decoupling device for decoupling by deformation the first portion from the second portion. The decoupling device is formed by a narrowing of the functional element. The narrowing is located laterally outside a region of the functional surface. The functional surface is a measurement surface which is suitable for acquisition for the purposes of positioning and/or orientating the movable element.

A system includes an illumination system, an optical element, a switching element and a detector. The illumination system includes a broadband light source that generates a beam of radiation. The dispersive optical element receives the beam of radiation and generates a plurality of light beams having a narrower bandwidth than the broadband light source. The optical switch receives the plurality of light 5 beams and transmits each one of the plurality of light beams to a respective one of a plurality of alignment sensor of a sensor array. The detector receives radiation returning from the sensor array and to generate a measurement signal based on the received radiation.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by using an exposure apparatus having a reticle stage and a projection optical system includes a first period in which substrates are exposed by using a first reticle arranged on the reticle stage, a second period in which substrates are exposed by using a second reticle arranged on the reticle stage, and a third period which is between the first and second periods. The method includes changing, in at least part of the third period, the first reticle arranged on the reticle stage to the second reticle, and performing control, in the first and second periods, to adjust temperature distribution of an optical element of the projection optical system so as to reduce change in aberration of the projection optical system. The third period is shorter than the first period.

A method for determining an input to a lens model to determine a setpoint for manipulation of a lens of a lithographic apparatus when addressing at least one of a plurality of fields of a substrate, the method including: receiving parameter data for the at least one field, the parameter data relating to one or more parameters of the substrate within the at least one field, the one or more parameters being at least partially sensitive to manipulation of the lens as part of an exposure performed by the lithographic apparatus; receiving lens model data relating to the lens; and determining the input based on the parameter data and on the lens model data.

An exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate to light by using an original in which a pattern is formed includes an illumination optical system arranged to guide illumination light to the original, the illumination light including first illumination light with a first wavelength and second illumination light with a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and a projection optical system arranged to form a pattern image of the original by using the illumination light at a plurality of positions in an optical axis direction. The illumination optical system is configured to adjust a position deviation in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction between a pattern image formed by the first illumination light and a pattern image formed by the second illumination light by changing an incident angle of the illumination light entering the original.