The present disclosure is directed to laser produced plasma light sources having a target material, such as Xenon, that is coated on the outer surface of a cylindrically-symmetric element (e.g., drum). Embodiments include a pre-pulsing arrangement which can be optimized to reduce irradiation damage to the drum and a pulse trimming unit which can be employed to reduce irradiation damage to the drum. In addition, an embodiment is disclosed wherein the surface of a cylindrically-symmetric element is formed with a plurality of grooves having a groove depth greater than 1 mm and a focusing unit focusing a laser beam and establishing an irradiation site to produce plasma from the target material, with the irradiation site distanced from a groove surface portion to protect the surface portion from irradiation damage.