A lithographic apparatus includes: an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support structure constructed to support a reticle and pellicle assembly for receipt of the radiation beam conditioned by the illumination system; a substrate table constructed to support a substrate; a projection system configured to receive the radiation beam from the reticle-pellicle assembly and to project it onto the substrate; and a heating system configured to heat a pellicle of the reticle-pellicle assembly supported by the support structure. A method for using a reticle-pellicle assembly including: illuminating the reticle-pellicle assembly with a radiation beam so as to form a patterned image on a substrate; and heating the pellicle of the reticle-pellicle assembly using a separate heat source.