Abstract:
An apparatus and method for EUV light production is disclosed which may comprise a laser produced plasma (“LPP”) extreme ultraviolet (“EUV”) light source comprising a target delivery system adapted to deliver moving plasma initiation targets and an EUV light collection optic having a focus defining a desired plasma initiation site.
Abstract:
An optic device, system and method for imaging are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property, the solid phase layers being situated between an output face and a non-flat input face. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The imaging system includes a source of electrons and a target, with an array of the optic devices coupled thereto to form limited cone beams of X-ray radiation.
Abstract:
In a multilayer mirror (1) for the reflection of EUV radiation containing a large number of alternating molybdenum layers (4) and silicon layers (3), a barrier layer (5) containing a silicon nitride or a silicon boride is included at a number of interfaces between the molybdenum layers (4) and the silicon layers (3). As a result of the barrier layers (5) of a silicon nitride or of a silicon boride, high thermal stability is achieved, in particular high long-term stability at temperatures of more than 300° C., whilst at the same time achieving high reflectivity in the multilayer mirror. A multilayer mirror (1) of this type can, in particular, be used as a heatable collector mirror for an EUV radiation source.
Abstract:
A reflection mirror apparatus, used in a reflection optical system of an exposure apparatus which performs exposure processing by guiding exposure light by reflection, has a mirror having a reflection surface to reflect the exposure light, and radiation plates for radiation-cooling provided in positions away from an outer surface of the mirror. The radiation plates are provided so as to ensure a passage area for the exposure light incident on and reflected from the reflection surface of the mirror. Further, the respective radiation plates are temperature-controlled by cooling liquid flowing through cooling pipes. Thus the temperature rise of the mirror used in the reflection optical system of the exposure apparatus can be suppressed, and the accuracy of surface form of the mirror reflection surface can be maintained.
Abstract:
A multi-layer mirror includes on top of the multi-layer mirror a spectral purity enhancement layer, for example for application in an EUV lithographic apparatus. This spectral purity enhancement layer includes a first spectral purity enhancement layer, but between the multi-layer mirror and first spectral purity enhancement layer there may optionally be an intermediate layer or a second spectral purity enhancement layer and intermediate layer. Hence, multi-layer mirrors with the following configurations are possible: multi-layer mirror/first spectral purity enhancement layer; multi-layer mirror/intermediate layer/first spectral purity enhancement layer; and multi-layer mirror/second spectral purity enhancement layer/intermediate layer/first spectral purity enhancement layer. The spectral purity of normal incidence radiation may be enhanced, such that DUV radiation is diminished relatively stronger than EUV radiation.
Abstract:
A stackable rack may comprise: at least two rails, a cross-section of each rail having a shape resembling a staircase, first step portion of which represents a first surface upon which a reflector can be disposed; and a second step portion of which represents a second surface which can support another rail. A method of making a narrow band x-ray filter may comprise: providing a substrate; and stacking one or more reflection units in succession upon the substrate, each reflection unit including a rack (such as mentioned above) and a reflector held by the rack. An apparatus to produce a substantially narrow band x-ray beam may include such a filter. An apparatus to make an x-ray image of a subject may include: the apparatus to produce a substantially narrow band x-ray beam, e.g., as set forth above, and an x-ray detector arranged to receive the narrow band x-ray.
Abstract:
A titania-doped quartz glass containing 3-12 wt % of titania at a titania concentration gradient less than or equal to 0.01 wt %/μm and having an apparent transmittance to 440 nm wavelength light of at least 30% at a thickness of 6.35 mm is of such homogeneity that it provides a high surface accuracy as required for EUV lithographic members, typically EUV lithographic photomask substrates.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to mask blanks with anti reflective coatings comprising at least two sublayers. Such bilayer or multilayer anti reflective coatings are advantageous for binary and phase shift mask blanks for use in lithography for an exposure wavelength of 300 nm or less with improved anti reflection properties; and to EUVL mask blanks having improved inspection properties.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for EUV light production is disclosed which may comprise a laser produced plasma (“LPP”) extreme ultraviolet (“EUV”) light source control system comprising a target delivery system adapted to deliver moving plasma initiation targets and an EUV light collection optic having a focus defining a desired plasma initiation site, comprising: a target tracking and feedback system comprising: at least one imaging device providing as an output an image of a target stream track, wherein the target stream track results from the imaging speed of the camera being too slow to image individual plasma formation targets forming the target stream imaged as the target stream track; a stream track error detector detecting an error in the position of the target stream track in at least one axis generally perpendicular to the target stream track from a desired stream track intersecting the desired plasma initiation site. At least one target crossing detector may be aimed at the target track and detecting the passage of a plasma formation target through a selected point in the target track. A drive laser triggering mechanism utilizing an output of the target crossing detector to determine the timing of a drive laser trigger in order for a drive laser output pulse to intersect the plasma initiation target at a selected plasma initiation site along the target track at generally its closest approach to the desired plasma initiation site. A plasma initiation detector may be aimed at the target track and detecting the location along the target track of a plasma initiation site for a respective target. An intermediate focus illuminator may illuminate an aperture formed at the intermediate focus to image the aperture in the at least one imaging device. The at least one imaging device may be at least two imaging devices each providing an error signal related to the separation of the target track from the vertical centerline axis of the image of the intermediate focus based upon an analysis of the image in the respective one of the at least two imaging devices. A target delivery feedback and control system may comprise a target delivery unit; a target delivery displacement control mechanism displacing the target delivery mechanism at least in an axis corresponding to a first displacement error signal derived from the analysis of the image in the first imaging device and at least in an axis corresponding to a second displacement error signal derived from the analysis of the image in the second imaging device.
Abstract:
A laser produced plasma (“LPP”) extreme ultraviolet (“EUV”) light source control system comprises a target delivery system adapted to deliver moving plasma initiation targets and an EUV light collection optic having a focus defining a desired plasma initiation site, a target tracking and feedback system comprising: at least one imaging device providing as an output an image of a target stream track, and a stream track error detector detecting an error in the position of the target stream track in at least one axis generally perpendicular to the target stream track from a desired stream track intersecting the desired plasma initiation site.