Method and system for indirect determination of local irradiance in an optical system

1. A method, comprising:

providing an optical system that comprises:

optical elements configured to form a beam path for radiation passing through the optical system; and

a measurement object configured to absorb a portion of the radiation in the beam path, the measurement object being at least partially positioned in the beam path;

passing radiation through the optical system;

using a temperature detector to measure a temperature distribution of at least part of the measurement object; and

determining a beam profile of the radiation at the position of the measurement object based on the temperature distribution of the measurement object,

wherein the measurement object is a mirror.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least part of the measurement object is the portion of the measurement object irradiated by the radiation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature distribution of the measurement object is determined during the heating up of measurement object based on radiation absorbed by the measurement object.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature detector comprises a detector selected from the group consisting of a heat image camera, thermocouples and thermoresistors.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the radiation comprises radiation selected from the group consisting of EUV, DUV and VUV.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measurement object is capable of being readjusted according to the temperature measurement.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the optical system for the production of microelectronic components.

8. A method, comprising:

providing an optical system that comprises:

optical elements configured to form a beam path for radiation passing through the optical system; and

a measurement object configured to absorb a portion of the radiation in the beam path, the measurement object being at least partially positioned in the beam path;

passing radiation through the optical system;

using a temperature detector to measure a temperature distribution of at least part of the measurement object; and

determining a beam profile of the radiation at the position of the measurement object based on the temperature distribution of the measurement object,

wherein the measurement object is introduced into the beam path only during temperature measurement, and the measurement object does not absorb radiation from the beam path during normal operation of the optical system.

9. A method, comprising:

providing an optical system that comprises:

optical elements configured to form a beam path for radiation passing through the optical system; and

a measurement object configured to absorb a portion of the radiation in the beam path, the measurement object being at least partially positioned in the beam path;

passing radiation through the optical system;

using a temperature detector to measure a temperature distribution of at least part of the measurement object; and

determining a beam profile of the radiation at the position of the measurement object based on the temperature distribution of the measurement object,

wherein the temperature distribution of the measurement object is determined when stationary temperature gradients have formed.

10. A method, comprising:

providing an optical system that comprises:

optical elements configured to form a beam path for radiation passing through the optical system; and

a measurement object configured to absorb a portion of the radiation in the beam path, the measurement object being at least partially positioned in the beam path;

passing radiation through the optical system;

using a temperature detector to measure a temperature distribution of at least part of the measurement object; and

determining a beam profile of the radiation at the position of the measurement object based on the temperature distribution of the measurement object,

wherein a lateral thermal conductivity of the irradiated surface of the measurement object is minimized by the geometric configuration and/or shaping of the measurement object.

11. A method, comprising:

providing an optical system that comprises:

optical elements configured to form a beam path for radiation passing through the optical system; and

a measurement object configured to absorb a portion of the radiation in the beam path, the measurement object being at least partially positioned in the beam path;

passing radiation through the optical system;

using a temperature detector to measure a temperature distribution of at least part of the measurement object; and

determining a beam profile of the radiation at the position of the measurement object based on the temperature distribution of the measurement object,

wherein the measurement object has roughly the properties of a black box.

12. A method, comprising:

providing an optical system that comprises:

optical elements configured to form a beam path for radiation passing through the optical system; and

a measurement object configured to absorb a portion of the radiation in the beam path, the measurement object being at least partially positioned in the beam path;

passing radiation through the optical system;

using a temperature detector to measure a temperature distribution of at least part of the measurement object; and

determining a beam profile of the radiation at the position of the measurement object based on the temperature distribution of the measurement object,

wherein a spectral filter, which essentially screens out undesired wavelengths of the radiation, is connected in series to the measurement object, and

wherein the spectral filter is a film deposited on the measurement object.