公开(公告)号：US20040252740A1

公开(公告)日：2004-12-16

申请号：US10338779

申请日：2003-01-06

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG.

Inventor： Hans-Stephan Albrecht ,  Klaus Wolfgang Vogler ,  Juergen Kleinschmidt ,  Thomas Schroeder ,  Igor Bragin ,  Vadim Berger ,  Uwe Stamm ,  Wolfgang Zschocke ,  Sergei Govorkov

IPC: H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: G03F7/70025 ,  G02B5/1814 ,  G02B5/1838 ,  G03F7/70575 ,  H01S3/02 ,  H01S3/036 ,  H01S3/038 ,  H01S3/08004 ,  H01S3/08009 ,  H01S3/08031 ,  H01S3/08045 ,  H01S3/0971 ,  H01S3/1055 ,  H01S3/134 ,  H01S3/225

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for stabilizing output beam parameters of a gas discharge laser by maintaining a molecular fluorine component of the laser gas mixture at a predetermined partial pressure using a gas supply unit and a processor. The molecular fluorine is provided at an initial partial pressure and is subject to depletion within the laser discharge chamber. Injections of gas including molecular fluorine are performed each to increase the partial pressure of molecular fluorine by a selected amount in the laser chamber preferably less than 0.2 mbar per injection, or 7% of an amount of F2 already within the laser chamber. A number of successive injections may be performed at selected intervals to maintain the constituent gas substantially at the initial partial pressure for maintaining stable output beam parameters. The amount per injection and/or the interval between injections may be varied based on the measured value of the driving voltage and/or a calculated amount of the molecular fluorine in the discharge chamber. The driving voltage is preferably determined to be in one of multiple driving voltage ranges that are adjusted based on the aging of the system. Within each range, gas injections and gas replacements are preferably performed based on total applied electrical energy to the discharge and/or alternatively, on time and/or pulse count.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种用于通过使用气体供应单元和处理器将激光气体混合物的分子氟成分维持在预定分压来稳定气体放电激光器的输出光束参数的方法和装置。 分子氟以初始分压提供，并在激光放电室内耗尽。 每次喷射包括分子氟的气体，以在激光室中选择的量增加分子氟的分压，优选每次注射小于0.2mbar，或已经在激光室内的F2的量的7％。 可以以选定的间隔执行多次连续喷射，以维持构成气体基本处于初始分压，以维持稳定的输出光束参数。 每次注射量和/或注射间隔可以基于驱动电压的测量值和/或放电室中分子氟的计算量而变化。 驱动电压优选地被确定为基于系统的老化而被调整的多个驱动电压范围之一。 在每个范围内，气体注入和气体替换优选地基于对放电的总施加的电能和/或在时间和/或脉冲计数上进行。

公开(公告)号：US20010050938A1

公开(公告)日：2001-12-13

申请号：US09826301

申请日：2001-04-03

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG.

Inventor： Igor Bragin ,  Vadim Berger ,  Uwe Stamm ,  Ulrich Rebhan

IPC: H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: H01S3/036 ,  H01S3/038 ,  H01S3/0971 ,  H01S3/225

Abstract: A laser for an excimer or molecular fluorine laser includes an electrode chamber connected with a gas flow vessel and having a pair of main electrodes and a preionization unit each connected to a discharge circuit. A spoiler is provided within the electrode chamber and is shaped to provide a more uniform gas flow through the discharge area between the main electrodes, to shield one of the preionization units from one of the main electrodes, and to reflect acoustic waves generated in the discharge area into the gas flow vessel for absorption therein. A spoiler unit may include a pair of opposed spoiler elements on either side of the discharge area. One or both main electrodes includes a base portion and a center portion which may be a nipple protruding from the base portion. The center portion substantially carries the periodic discharge current such that the discharge width is and may be significantly less than the width of the base portion. The curvatures of both main electrodes may conform to the curvature of the gas flow through the discharge chamber to further improve aerodynamic performance. A plurality of low inductive conducting ribs are connected to the grounded main electrode and shaped to provide a more uniform flow of gases through openings defined between adjacent ribs.

公开(公告)号：US20010033594A1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-25

申请号：US09826372

申请日：2001-04-03

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG.

Inventor： Igor Bragin ,  Vadim Berger ,  Uwe Stamm ,  Ulrich Rebhan

IPC: H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: H01S3/036 ,  H01S3/038 ,  H01S3/0971 ,  H01S3/225

Abstract: A laser for an excimer or molecular fluorine laser includes an electrode chamber connected with a gas flow vessel and having a pair of main electrodes and a preionization unit each connected to a discharge circuit. A spoiler is provided within the electrode chamber and is shaped to provide a more uniform gas flow through the discharge area between the main electrodes, to shield one of the preionization units from one of the main electrodes, and to reflect acoustic waves generated in the discharge area into the gas flow vessel for absorption therein. A spoiler unit may include a pair of opposed spoiler elements on either side of the discharge area. One or both main electrodes includes a base portion and a center portion which may be a nipple protruding from the base portion. The center portion substantially carries the periodic discharge current such that the discharge width is and may be significantly less than the width of the base portion. The curvatures of both main electrodes may conform to the curvature of the gas flow through the discharge chamber to further improve aerodynamic performance. A plurality of low inductive conducting ribs are connected to the grounded main electrode and shaped to provide a more uniform flow of gases through openings defined between adjacent ribs.

Abstract translation: 用于准分子或分子氟激光的激光器包括与气体流动容器连接并具有一对主电极和预电离单元的电极室，每个主电极连接到放电电路。 扰流器设置在电极室内，并且被成形为提供通过主电极之间的放电区域的更均匀的气流，以便将一个预电离单元与其中一个主电极隔离，并且反射在放电中产生的声波 区域进入气流容器，用于吸收。 扰流器单元可以在放电区域的任一侧上包括一对相对的扰流器元件。 一个或两个主电极包括基部和可以是从基部突出的接头的中心部分。 中心部分基本上承载周期性放电电流，使得放电宽度可以明显小于基部的宽度。 两个主电极的曲率可以符合通过放电室的气流的曲率，以进一步提高空气动力性能。 多个低感应导电肋连接到接地的主电极并成形为提供通过相邻肋之间限定的开口的更均匀的气体流。

公开(公告)号：US20010030986A1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-18

申请号：US09826296

申请日：2001-04-03

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG

Inventor： Igor Bragin ,  Vadim Berger ,  Uwe Stamm ,  Ulrich Rebhan

IPC: H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: H01S3/036 ,  H01S3/038 ,  H01S3/0971 ,  H01S3/225

Abstract: A laser for an excimer or molecular fluorine laser includes an electrode chamber connected with a gas flow vessel and having a pair of main electrodes and a preionization unit each connected to a discharge circuit. A spoiler is provided within the electrode chamber and is shaped to provide a more uniform gas flow through the discharge area between the main electrodes, to shield one of the preionization units from one of the main electrodes, and to reflect acoustic waves generated in the discharge area into the gas flow vessel for absorption therein. A spoiler unit may include a pair of opposed spoiler elements on either side of the discharge area. One or both main electrodes includes a base portion and a center portion which may be a nipple protruding from the base portion. The center portion substantially carries the periodic discharge current such that the discharge width is and may be significantly less than the width of the base portion. The curvatures of both main electrodes may conform to the curvature of the gas flow through the discharge chamber to further improve aerodynamic performance. A plurality of low inductive conducting ribs are connected to the grounded main electrode and shaped to provide a more uniform flow of gases through openings defined between adjacent ribs.