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公开(公告)号:US06882674B2
公开(公告)日:2005-04-19
申请号:US10036676
申请日:2001-12-21
Applicant: Christian J. Wittak , William N. Partlo , Richard L. Sandstrom , Paul C. Melcher , David M. Johns , Robert B. Saethre , Richard M. Ness , Curtis L. Rettig , Robert A. Shannon , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Shahryar Rokni , Scott T. Smith , Stuart L. Anderson , John M. Algots , Ronald L. Spangler , Igor V. Fomenkov , Thomas D. Steiger , Jerome A. Emilo , Clay C. Titus , Alex P. Ivaschenko , Paolo Zambon , Gamaralalage G. Padmabandu , Mark S. Branham , Sunjay Phatak , Raymond F. Cybulski
Inventor: Christian J. Wittak , William N. Partlo , Richard L. Sandstrom , Paul C. Melcher , David M. Johns , Robert B. Saethre , Richard M. Ness , Curtis L. Rettig , Robert A. Shannon , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Shahryar Rokni , Scott T. Smith , Stuart L. Anderson , John M. Algots , Ronald L. Spangler , Igor V. Fomenkov , Thomas D. Steiger , Jerome A. Emilo , Clay C. Titus , Alex P. Ivaschenko , Paolo Zambon , Gamaralalage G. Padmabandu , Mark S. Branham , Sunjay Phatak , Raymond F. Cybulski
IPC: H01S3/097 , G03F7/20 , H01S3/00 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/0975 , H01S3/134 , H01S3/139 , H01S3/225 , H01S3/23 , H01S3/22
CPC classification number: G03F7/70025 , G03F7/70933 , H01S3/0057 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/0385 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/0975 , H01S3/134 , H01S3/139 , H01S3/225 , H01S3/2251 , H01S3/2256 , H01S3/2258 , H01S3/2366
Abstract: The present invention provides an excimer laser capable of producing a high quality pulsed laser beam at pulse rates of about 4,000 Hz at pulse energies of about 5 mJ or greater. A preferred embodiment is an ArF excimer laser specifically designed as a light source for integrated circuit lithography. An improved wavemeter with special software monitors output beam parameters and controls a very fast PZT driven tuning mirror and the pulse power charging voltage to maintain wavelength and pulse energy within desired limits. In a preferred embodiment two fan motors drive a single tangential fan which provides sufficient gas flow to clear discharge debris from the discharge region during the approximately 0.25 milliseconds between pulses.
Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种准分子激光器,其能够以约5mJ或更大的脉冲能量产生脉冲速率约为4000Hz的高质量脉冲激光束。 优选的实施方案是专门设计为用于集成电路光刻的光源的ArF准分子激光器。 具有特殊软件的改进型波长测量仪监测输出光束参数,并控制非常快的PZT驱动调光镜和脉冲功率充电电压,以将波长和脉冲能量保持在所需的极限内。 在优选实施例中,两个风扇马达驱动单个切向风扇,其提供足够的气流以在脉冲之间的大约0.25毫秒期间从放电区域清除放电碎片。
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公开(公告)号:US06795474B2
公开(公告)日:2004-09-21
申请号:US10000991
申请日:2001-11-14
Applicant: William N. Partlo , Richard L. Sandstrom , Holzer K. Glatzel , Raymond F. Cybulski , Peter C. Newman , James K. Howey , William G. Hulburd , John T. Melchior , Alex P. Ivaschenko
Inventor: William N. Partlo , Richard L. Sandstrom , Holzer K. Glatzel , Raymond F. Cybulski , Peter C. Newman , James K. Howey , William G. Hulburd , John T. Melchior , Alex P. Ivaschenko
IPC: H01S322
CPC classification number: G03F7/70025 , G03F7/70575 , G03F7/70933 , H01S3/0057 , H01S3/02 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/0385 , H01S3/0401 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/08009 , H01S3/08036 , H01S3/097 , H01S3/0971 , H01S3/0975 , H01S3/1024 , H01S3/104 , H01S3/105 , H01S3/1055 , H01S3/1305 , H01S3/134 , H01S3/139 , H01S3/22 , H01S3/2207 , H01S3/223 , H01S3/225 , H01S3/2251 , H01S3/2256 , H01S3/2258 , H01S3/2366
Abstract: An excimer laser with a purged beam path capable of producing a high quality pulsed laser beam at pulse rates in excess of 2,000 Hz at pulse energies of about 5 mJ or greater. The entire purged beam path through the laser system is sealed to minimize contamination of the beam path. A preferred embodiment comprises a thermally decoupled LNP aperture element to minimize thermal distortions in the LNP. This preferred embodiment is an ArF excimer laser specifically designed as a light source for integrated circuit lithography. An improved wavemeter is provided with a special purge of a compartment exposed to the output laser beam.
Abstract translation: 具有清除光束路径的准分子激光器,其能够以大约5mJ或更大的脉冲能量产生超过2000Hz的脉冲速率的高质量脉冲激光束。 通过激光系统的整个清除的光束路径被密封以最小化光束路径的污染。 优选实施例包括热去耦LNP孔元件以最小化LNP中的热失真。 该优选实施例是专门设计为用于集成电路光刻的光源的ArF准分子激光器。 改进的波形计提供了暴露于输出激光束的隔室的特殊吹扫。
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公开(公告)号:US06690706B2
公开(公告)日:2004-02-10
申请号:US10104502
申请日:2002-03-22
Applicant: Richard G. Morton , Timothy S. Dyer , Thomas D. Steiger , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Tom A. Watson , Bryan Moosman , Alex P. Ivaschenko
Inventor: Richard G. Morton , Timothy S. Dyer , Thomas D. Steiger , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Tom A. Watson , Bryan Moosman , Alex P. Ivaschenko
IPC: H01S3097
CPC classification number: G03F7/70025 , G03F7/70041 , G03F7/70575 , G03F7/70933 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/0381 , H01S3/0382 , H01S3/0385 , H01S3/0387 , H01S3/0388 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/097 , H01S3/09702 , H01S3/0979 , H01S3/22 , H01S3/2207 , H01S3/223 , H01S3/225
Abstract: The present invention provides a gas discharge laser having at least one long-life elongated electrode for producing at least 12 billion high voltage electric discharges in a fluorine containing laser gas. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the electrodes is comprised of a first material having a relatively low anode erosion rate and a second anode material having a relatively higher anode erosion rate. The first anode material is positioned at a desired anode discharge region of the electrode. The second anode material is located adjacent to the first anode material along at least two long sides of the first material. During operation of the laser erosion occurs on both materials but the higher erosion rate of the second material assures that any tendency of the discharge to spread onto the second material will quickly erode away the second material enough to stop the spread of the discharge. In a preferred embodiment the anode is as described above and the cathode is also a two-material electrode with the first material at the discharge region being C26000 brass and the second material being C36000 brass. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses at rates of at least 1 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 5 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.
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公开(公告)号:US06425559B1
公开(公告)日:2002-07-30
申请号:US09675492
申请日:2000-09-29
Applicant: I. Roger Oliver , Alex P. Ivaschenko , William N. Partlo , Palash P. Das
Inventor: I. Roger Oliver , Alex P. Ivaschenko , William N. Partlo , Palash P. Das
IPC: F16M1100
Abstract: A chamber/optics support structure for a laser having a laser chamber with a vibration source. The chamber and the laser resonance cavity optical elements are supported on a platform. The chamber is supported by a plurality of wheels which in turn rests on two tracks on track supports mounted on the platform. A vertical vibration isolator isolates vertical vibrations originating in the chamber from the laser optics. A flexible clamp flexibly clamps the chamber in a horizontal position to align it with the resonance cavity optical elements and to substantially decouple vibration between the chamber vibration source to the optical elements in a frequency range of concern. The invention is especially useful for positioning the heavy laser chamber of a narrow band excimer laser and for decoupling vibrations resulting from its blower from the lasers line narrowing module and output coupler. In a preferred embodiment the plurality of wheels is three wheels, two of which rest in a V-groove track and one of which rests on a flat track. This preferred embodiment uses two flexible clamps each having an adjustment bolt and four symmetrically spaced silicon rubber vibration isolators. Precise horizontal alignment of the chamber is accomplished using the adjustment bolt which is then held in position with a lock nut and a clamping bolt. Silicon rubber dampers in the isolators decouple horizontal chamber vibrations from the optical elements. In specific embodiments, the vertical vibration isolator may be a flexible liner in the wheels or in the rails or alternatively a pad on which the chamber rests.
Abstract translation: 一种用于具有具有振动源的激光室的激光器的腔室/光学器件支撑结构。 腔室和激光共振腔光学元件支撑在平台上。 该室由多个轮支撑,多个轮依次放置在安装在平台上的轨道支架上的两个轨道上。 垂直隔振器将起始于室内的垂直振动与激光光学器件隔离。 柔性夹具可灵活地将腔室夹紧在水平位置,以将其与共振腔光学元件对准,并使其在腔室振动源与光学元件之间的振动基本上在关注的频率范围内分离。本发明特别适用于定位重物 激光腔的窄带准分子激光器,并将其鼓风机的振动与激光线变窄模块和输出耦合器分离。 在优选实施例中,多个车轮是三个车轮,其中两个车轮搁置在V形槽轨道中,其中一个车轮搁置在平坦轨道上。 该优选实施例使用两个柔性夹具,每个柔性夹具具有调节螺栓和四个对称间隔的硅橡胶隔振器。 使用调节螺栓实现腔室的精确水平对准,调节螺栓然后通过锁紧螺母和夹紧螺栓保持在适当的位置。 隔离器中的硅橡胶阻尼器将水平室振动与光学元件分离。在具体实施例中,垂直隔振器可以是轮子中或轨道中的柔性衬垫,或者替代地,腔室搁置在其上。
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公开(公告)号:US06442181B1
公开(公告)日:2002-08-27
申请号:US09684629
申请日:2000-10-06
Applicant: I. Roger Oliver , William N. Partlo , Richard M. Ness , Richard L. Sandstrom , Stuart L. Anderson , Alex P. Ivaschenko , James K. Howey , Vladimir Kulgeyko , Jean-Marc Hueber , Daniel L. Birx
Inventor: I. Roger Oliver , William N. Partlo , Richard M. Ness , Richard L. Sandstrom , Stuart L. Anderson , Alex P. Ivaschenko , James K. Howey , Vladimir Kulgeyko , Jean-Marc Hueber , Daniel L. Birx
IPC: H01S310
CPC classification number: G03F7/70025 , G03F7/70041 , G03F7/70333 , G03F7/70483 , G03F7/70575 , G03F7/70933 , H01S3/02 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/0385 , H01S3/0404 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/08036 , H01S3/097 , H01S3/09702 , H01S3/0971 , H01S3/0975 , H01S3/104 , H01S3/105 , H01S3/1055 , H01S3/134 , H01S3/22 , H01S3/2207 , H01S3/225 , H03K3/57 , H03K17/80
Abstract: A gas discharge laser capable of operating at pulse rates in the range of 4,000 Hz to 6,000 Hz at pulse energies in the range of 5 mJ to 10 mJ or greater. Important improvements over prior art designs include: (1) a laser chamber having a gas flow path with a gradually increasing cross section downstream of the discharge electrodes to permit recovery a large percentage of the pressure drop in the discharge region, (2) a squirrel cage type fan for producing gas velocities through the discharge region of more than 76 m/s and capable of continuous trouble-free operation for several months, (3) a heat exchanger system capable of removing in excess of 16 kw of heat energy from the laser gas (4) a pulse power system capable of providing precisely controlled electrical pulses to the electrodes needed to produce laser pulses at the desired pulse energies in the range of 5 mJ to 10 mJ or greater at pulse repetition rates in the range of 4,000 Hz to 6,000 Hz or greater and (5) a laser beam measurement and control system capable of measuring pulse energy wavelength and bandwidth on a pulse-to-pulse laser with feedback pulse-to-pulse control of pulse energy and wavelength.
Abstract translation: 一种气体放电激光器,能够以5mJ至10mJ或更大的脉冲能量在4000Hz至6,000Hz的脉冲频率下工作。 与现有技术设计相比,重要的改进包括:(1)具有在放电电极下游具有逐渐增加的横截面的气体流动路径的激光室,以允许在放电区域中恢复大部分的压降,(2)松鼠 通过排气区域超过76m / s产生气体速度的笼式风扇,能够连续无故障运行数月,(3)能够从其中除去超过16kw的热能的热交换器系统 激光气体(4)脉冲电力系统,能够在脉冲重复频率为4,000Hz时以5mJ至10mJ或更大的范围内以期望的脉冲能量产生激光脉冲所需的电极提供精确控制的电脉冲 至6,000Hz以上,(5)激光束测量和控制系统,其能够测量脉冲到脉冲激光器上的脉冲能量波长和带宽,其中反馈脉冲至脉冲控制脉冲 能量和波长。
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公开(公告)号:US07132123B2
公开(公告)日:2006-11-07
申请号:US10629364
申请日:2003-07-29
Applicant: Richard G. Morton , Timothy S. Dyer , Thomas D. Steiger , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Tom A. Watson , Bryan Moosman , Alex P. Ivaschenko , Walter Gillespie , Curtis Rettig
Inventor: Richard G. Morton , Timothy S. Dyer , Thomas D. Steiger , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Tom A. Watson , Bryan Moosman , Alex P. Ivaschenko , Walter Gillespie , Curtis Rettig
CPC classification number: G03F7/70025 , G03F7/70041 , G03F7/70575 , G03F7/70933 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/0381 , H01S3/0382 , H01S3/0385 , H01S3/0387 , H01S3/0388 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/097 , H01S3/09702 , H01S3/0979 , H01S3/22 , H01S3/2207 , H01S3/223 , H01S3/225
Abstract: The present invention provides a gas discharge laser having at least one long-life elongated electrode for producing at least 12 billion high voltage electric discharges in a fluorine containing laser gas. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the electrodes is comprised of a first material having a relatively low anode erosion rate and a second anode material having a relatively higher anode erosion rate. The first anode material is positioned at a desired anode discharge region of the electrode. The second anode material is located adjacent to the first anode material along at least two long sides of the first material. During operation of the laser erosion occurs on both materials but the higher erosion rate of the second material assures that any tendency of the discharge to spread onto the second material will quickly erode away the second material enough to stop the spread of the discharge. In a preferred embodiment the anode is as described above and the cathode is also a two-material electrode with the first material at the discharge region being C26000 brass and the second material being C36000 brass. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses at rates of at least 1 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 5 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.
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公开(公告)号:US06937635B2
公开(公告)日:2005-08-30
申请号:US10638247
申请日:2003-08-07
Applicant: Richard G. Morton , Timothy S. Dyer , Thomas D. Steiger , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Tom A. Watson , Bryan Moosman , Alex P. Ivaschenko , Walter Gillespie , Curtis Rettig
Inventor: Richard G. Morton , Timothy S. Dyer , Thomas D. Steiger , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Tom A. Watson , Bryan Moosman , Alex P. Ivaschenko , Walter Gillespie , Curtis Rettig
IPC: G03F7/20 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/097 , H01S3/0979 , H01S3/22 , H01S3/223 , H01S3/225 , H01S3/20 , H01S3/09
CPC classification number: G03F7/70025 , G03F7/70041 , G03F7/70575 , G03F7/70933 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/0381 , H01S3/0382 , H01S3/0385 , H01S3/0387 , H01S3/0388 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/097 , H01S3/09702 , H01S3/0979 , H01S3/22 , H01S3/2207 , H01S3/223 , H01S3/225
Abstract: The present invention provides a gas discharge laser having at least one long-life elongated electrode for producing at least 12 billion high voltage electric discharges in a fluorine containing laser gas. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the electrodes is comprised of a first material having a relatively low anode erosion rate and a second anode material having a relatively higher anode erosion rate. The first anode material is positioned at a desired anode discharge region of the electrode. The second anode material is located adjacent to the first anode material along at least two long sides of the first material. During operation of the laser erosion occurs on both materials but the higher erosion rate of the second material assures that any tendency of the discharge to spread onto the second material will quickly erode away the second material enough to stop the spread of the discharge. In a preferred embodiment the anode is as described above and the cathode is also a two-material electrode with the first material at the discharge region being C26000 brass and the second material being C36000 brass. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses at rates of at least 1 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 5 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.
Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种气体放电激光器,其具有至少一个长寿命的细长电极,用于在含氟激光气体中产生至少120亿个高压放电。 在优选实施例中,至少一个电极由具有相对低的阳极腐蚀速率的第一材料和具有相对较高的阳极侵蚀速率的第二阳极材料构成。 第一阳极材料位于电极的期望的阳极放电区域。 第二阳极材料沿第一材料的至少两个长边位于第一阳极材料附近。 在两种材料的激光冲蚀操作过程中,第二种材料的腐蚀速度较高,确保放电扩散到第二种材料上的任何趋势将迅速消除第二种材料,从而阻止放电扩散。 在优选实施例中,阳极如上所述,阴极也是双材料电极,其中第一材料在放电区域为C26000黄铜,第二材料为C36000黄铜。 脉冲功率系统以至少1KHz的速率提供电脉冲。 鼓风机以至少5m / s的速度在电极之间循环激光气体,并且提供热交换器以去除由鼓风机和排出物产生的热量。
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公开(公告)号:US06914919B2
公开(公告)日:2005-07-05
申请号:US10187336
申请日:2002-06-28
Applicant: Tom A. Watson , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Alex P. Ivaschenko , Richard L. Sandstrom , Robert A. Shannon , R. Kyle Webb , Frederick A. Palenschat , Thomas Hofmann , Curtis L. Rettig , Richard M. Ness , Paul C. Melcher , Alexander I. Ershov
Inventor: Tom A. Watson , Richard C. Ujazdowski , Alex P. Ivaschenko , Richard L. Sandstrom , Robert A. Shannon , R. Kyle Webb , Frederick A. Palenschat , Thomas Hofmann , Curtis L. Rettig , Richard M. Ness , Paul C. Melcher , Alexander I. Ershov
IPC: H01S3/134 , G03F7/20 , H01S3/00 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/04 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/08 , H01S3/097 , H01S3/0971 , H01S3/0975 , H01S3/102 , H01S3/104 , H01S3/105 , H01S3/1055 , H01S3/11 , H01S3/13 , H01S3/131 , H01S3/137 , H01S3/139 , H01S3/22 , H01S3/223 , H01S3/225 , H01S3/23 , H01S3/10
CPC classification number: H01S3/0385 , G03F7/70025 , G03F7/70041 , G03F7/70333 , G03F7/70575 , G03F7/70933 , H01S3/0057 , H01S3/0071 , H01S3/02 , H01S3/036 , H01S3/038 , H01S3/0387 , H01S3/0404 , H01S3/041 , H01S3/08009 , H01S3/08036 , H01S3/097 , H01S3/09702 , H01S3/0971 , H01S3/0975 , H01S3/1024 , H01S3/104 , H01S3/105 , H01S3/1055 , H01S3/1305 , H01S3/134 , H01S3/137 , H01S3/139 , H01S3/22 , H01S3/2207 , H01S3/223 , H01S3/225 , H01S3/2251 , H01S3/2256 , H01S3/2258 , H01S3/2333 , H01S3/2366
Abstract: The present invention provides gas discharge laser systems capable of reliable long-term operation in a production line capacity at repetition rates in the range of 6,000 to 10,0000 pulses power second. Preferred embodiments are configured as KrF, ArF and F2 lasers used for light sources for integrated circuit lithography. Improvements include a modified high voltage power supply capable for charging an initial capacitor of a magnetic compression pulse power system to precise target voltages 6,000 to 10,0000 times per second and a feedback control for monitoring pulse energy and determining the target voltages on a pulse-by-pulse basis. Several techniques are disclosed for removing discharge created debris from the discharge region between the laser electrodes during the intervals between discharges. In one embodiment the width of the discharge region is reduced from about 3 mm to about 1 mm so that a gas circulation system designed for 4,000 Hz operation could be utilized for 10,000 Hz operation. In other embodiments the gas flow between the electrodes is increased sufficiently to permit 10,000 Hz operation with a discharge region width of 3 mm. To provide these substantial increased gas flow rates, Applicants have disclosed preferred embodiments utilize tangential forms of the prior art but with improved and more powerful motors and novel bearing designs. New bearing designs include both ceramic bearings and magnetic bearings. In other embodiments, some or all of the gas circulation power is provided with a blower located outside the laser chamber. The outside blower can be located in the laser cabinet or in separate location.
Abstract translation: 本发明提供一种气体放电激光系统,其能够以6,000至1000000次脉冲功率秒的重复频率在生产线容量中可靠地长期运行。 优选的实施例被配置为用于集成电路光刻的光源的KrF,ArF和F 2 N 2激光器。 改进包括一种改进的高压电源,其能够将磁压缩脉冲电源系统的初始电容器充电至每秒精确的目标电压6,000至10,0000次,以及用于监视脉冲能量的反馈控制以及确定脉冲 - 逐脉冲基础。 公开了用于在放电间隔期间从激光电极之间的放电区域去除产生的碎屑的几种技术。 在一个实施例中,放电区域的宽度从约3mm减小至约1mm,使得设计用于4000Hz操作的气体循环系统可用于10,000Hz操作。 在其他实施例中,电极之间的气流充分增加,以允许10,000Hz的操作,放电区域宽度为3mm。 为了提供这些显着增加的气体流速,申请人已经公开了使用现有技术的切向形式的优选实施例,但是具有改进的和更强大的电动机和新颖的轴承设计。 新的轴承设计包括陶瓷轴承和磁性轴承。 在其他实施例中,一些或全部气体循环动力设置有位于激光室外部的鼓风机。 外部鼓风机可以位于激光柜内或分开的位置。
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