Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for facilitating the start up of a fuel droplet stream generator. During a start-up phase the fuel droplet stream generator is positioned so that the fuel droplets re emitted downwardly whereby gravity assists in the establishment of the stream. The droplets are monitored using a visualization system and once the stream is determined to have the desired characteristics the stream generator is moved to a second position of steady state use in which the droplet stream is emitted in a horizontal direction.
Abstract:
A radiation source includes: a nozzle configured to direct a stream of fuel droplets (30) along a trajectory towards a plasma formation location; a laser configured to output laser radiation, the laser radiation directed at the fuel droplets at the plasma formation location to generate, in use, a radiation generating plasma; and a catch configured to catch fuel droplets that pass the plasma formation location, the catch including: a container (40) configured to contain a fluid (42); a driver (44) configured to drive the fluid, to cause the fluid to move; the catch being configured such that the fuel droplets are incident on that moving fluid.
Abstract:
A radiation source generates extreme ultraviolet radiation for a lithographic apparatus as a chamber that is provided with a low pressure hydrogen environment. A trace amount of a protective compound, e.g., H 2 O, H 2 O 2 , O 2 , NH 3 or NO x , is provided to the chamber to assist in maintaining a protective oxide film on metal, e.g., titanium, components in the chamber.
Abstract:
A lithographic apparatus includes a source configured to generate a radiation beam comprising desired radiation and undesired radiation using a plasma, an illumination system configured to condition the radiation beam and to receive hydrogen gas during operation of the lithographic apparatus, and a support structure constructed to hold a patterning device. The patterning device is capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. A substrate table is constructed to hold a substrate, and a projection system is configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic apparatus is configured such that the radiation beam on entering the projection system includes at least 50% of the undesired radiation that is generated by the plasma and includes wavelengths of radiation that interact with the hydrogen gas to generate hydrogen radicals.
Abstract:
A radiation collector comprising a first collector segment comprising a plurality of grazing incidence reflector shells configured to direct radiation to converge in a first location at a distance from the radiation collector, a second collector segment comprising a plurality of grazing incidence reflector shells configured to direct radiation to converge in a second location at said distance from the radiation collector, wherein the first location and the second location are separated from one another.
Abstract:
A radiation source (e.g., LPP - laser produced plasma source) for generation of extreme UV (EUV) radiation has at least two fuel particle streams having different trajectories. Each stream is directed to cross the path of an excitation (laser) beam focused at a plasma formation region, but the trajectories are spaced apart at the plasma formation region, and the streams phased, so that only one stream has a fuel particle in the plasma formation region at any time, and so that when a fuel particle from one stream is generating plasma and EUV radiation at the plasma generation region, other fuel particles are sufficiently spaced so as to be substantially unaffected by the plasma. The arrangement permits potential doubling of the radiation intensity achievable for a particular fuel particle size.
Abstract:
A radiation source having a nozzle configured to direct a stream of fuel droplets along a trajectory towards a plasma formation location, a laser configured to direct laser radiation at the fuel droplets at the plasma formation location to generate, in use, a radiation generating plasma. The nozzle has an internal surface that is configured to prevent contamination present in fuel used to form the fuel droplets from being deposited on that internal surface.
Abstract:
A radiation source for generating EUV radiation suitable for use in a lithographic apparatus includes a laser configured to fire laser pulses at a target area to which is supplied a stream of fuel droplets. The fuel droplets may be tin droplets that emit EUV radiation when excited by the laser beam. The EUV radiation is collected by a collector. The tin droplets may be pre-conditioned by a laser pre-pulse before the main laser pulse with the objective of changing the shape of the droplets so that they are in an optimum condition for receiving the main laser pulse. Embodiments of the invention take into account the effect of the vaporization of one fuel droplet on succeeding droplets and allow the timing of the main and/or pre-pulse to be adjusted to take into account any delay in arrival of the subsequent droplet or oscillations in the shape of the subsequent droplet which may be caused by vaporization of the preceding droplet.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of monitoring the operation of a radiation source fuel droplet stream generator comprising a fuel-containing capillary and a piezo-electric actuator (500). The method comprises analysing the resonance frequency spectrum of a system comprising the fuel-containing capillary and the piezo-electric actuator in particular to look for changes in the resonance frequencies of the acoustic system which may be indicative of a change in the properties of the system requiring investigation.
Abstract:
A source collector apparatus includes a plasma generation apparatus arranged to excite a fuel to form a radiation emitting plasma, a collector arranged to collect the radiation, and a contamination receiving apparatus, wherein the contamination receiving apparatus is provided with a porous structure.