公开(公告)号：US20020041616A1

公开(公告)日：2002-04-11

申请号：US09925041

申请日：2001-08-07

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG.

Inventor： Jurgen Kleinschmidt ,  Peter Heist ,  Frank Voss ,  Andreas Gortler

IPC: H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: H01S3/225 ,  H01S3/08004 ,  H01S3/08009 ,  H01S3/1062

Abstract: An F2-excimer laser has multiple closely-spaced spectral lines of interest around 157 nm, and one of the lines is selected by wavelength selection optics. The wavelength selection optics of a first preferred embodiment include a birefringent Brewster window enclosing the laser gas volume of the discharge chamber. The window preferably comprises MgF2 and is located at one end of the discharge chamber. One line is selected of the two when the optical thickness of the window is selected in coordination with rotatably adjustable, orthogonal refractive indices of the window. The transmissivity of the window is dependent on the orthogonal refractive indices and the optical thickness of the window. The wavelength selection optics of a second preferred embodiment include are at least partially within the laser active volume. In this way, line selection is performed in a manner which optimizes the combination of optical and discharge efficiency, resonator size and cost. The wavelength selection unit preferably includes a prism having a front surface oriented at Brewster's angle and a back surface oriented to receive and reflect an ordinary refracted ray travelling within the prism at a right angle to the back surface. The back surface also preferably includes a highly reflective coating to serve as the highly reflective surface of the resonator. The wavelength selection unit preferably further comprises an adjustment component for adjusting the orientation of the prism and for enclosing the other end of the housing, opposite the outcoupling end.

公开(公告)号：US20020034206A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-21

申请号：US09925040

申请日：2001-08-07

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG.

Inventor： Jurgen Kleinschmidt ,  Peter Heist ,  Frank Voss ,  Andreas Gortler

IPC: H01S003/10 ,  H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: H01S3/225 ,  H01S3/08004 ,  H01S3/08009 ,  H01S3/1062

Abstract: An F2-excimer laser has multiple closely-spaced spectral lines of interest around 157 nm, and one of the lines is selected by wavelength selection optics. The wavelength selection optics of a first preferred embodiment include a birefringent Brewster window enclosing the laser gas volume of the discharge chamber. The window preferably comprises MgF2 and is located at one end of the discharge chamber. One line is selected of the two when the optical thickness of the window is selected in coordination with rotatably adjustable, orthogonal refractive indices of the window. The transmissivity of the window is dependent on the orthogonal refractive indices and the optical thickness of the window. The wavelength selection optics of a second preferred embodiment include are at least partially within the laser active volume. In this way, line selection is performed in a manner which optimizes the combination of optical and discharge efficiency, resonator size and cost. The wavelength selection unit preferably includes a prism having a front surface oriented at Brewster's angle and a back surface oriented to receive and reflect an ordinary refracted ray travelling within the prism at a right angle to the back surface. The back surface also preferably includes a highly reflective coating to serve as the highly reflective surface of the resonator. The wavelength selection unit preferably further comprises an adjustment component for adjusting the orientation of the prism and for enclosing the other end of the housing, opposite the outcoupling end.

公开(公告)号：US20020015432A1

公开(公告)日：2002-02-07

申请号：US09924817

申请日：2001-08-07

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG

Inventor： Jurgen Kleinschmidt ,  Peter Heist ,  Frank Voss ,  Andreas Gortler

IPC: H01S003/223 ,  H01S003/22

CPC classification number: H01S3/225 ,  H01S3/08004 ,  H01S3/08009 ,  H01S3/1062

Abstract: An F2-excimer laser has multiple closely-spaced spectral lines of interest around 157 nm, and one of the lines is selected by wavelength selection optics. The wavelength selection optics of a first preferred embodiment include a birefringent Brewster window enclosing the laser gas volume of the discharge chamber. The window preferably comprises MgF2 and is located at one end of the discharge chamber. One line is selected of the two when the optical thickness of the window is selected in coordination with rotatably adjustable, orthogonal refractive indices of the window. The transmissivity of the window is dependent on the orthogonal refractive indices and the optical thickness of the window. The wavelength selection optics of a second preferred embodiment include are at least partially within the laser active volume. In this way, line selection is performed in a manner which optimizes the combination of optical and discharge efficiency, resonator size and cost. The wavelength selection unit preferably includes a prism having a front surface oriented at Brewster's angle and a back surface oriented to receive and reflect an ordinary refracted ray travelling within the prism at a right angle to the back surface. The back surface also preferably includes a highly reflective coating to serve as the highly reflective surface of the resonator. The wavelength selection unit preferably further comprises an adjustment component for adjusting the orientation of the prism and for enclosing the other end of the housing, opposite the outcoupling end.

公开(公告)号：US20020041614A1

公开(公告)日：2002-04-11

申请号：US09965498

申请日：2001-09-26

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG

Inventor： Sergei V. Govorkov ,  Klaus Wolfgang Vogler ,  Frank Voss ,  Rainer Patzel

IPC: H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: H01S3/225 ,  B23K26/12 ,  B23K26/128 ,  B23K26/705 ,  B23K2103/05 ,  G01J1/4257 ,  G03F7/70025 ,  G03F7/70558 ,  G03F7/70808 ,  H01S3/0014 ,  H01S3/134

Abstract: A system is provided for delivering a laser beam of wavelength less than 200 nm from a laser, such as an F2 laser or ArF laser, through a sealed enclosure sealably connected to the laser, and preferably to another housing, leading ultimately to a workpiece. The enclosure is preferably evacuated and back-filled with an inert gas to adequately deplete any air, water, hydrocarbons or oxygen within the enclosure. Thereafter or alternatively, an inert gas flow is established and maintained within the enclosure during operation of the laser. The inert gas preferably has high purity, e.g., more than 99.5% and preferably more than 99.999%, wherein the inert is preferably nitrogen or a noble gas. The enclosure is preferably sealed by a window transparent to the sub-200 nm radiation for preventing contaminants generated in the enclosure from entering the housing and contaminating surfaces therein. The enclosure is preferably made of steel and/or copper, and the window is preferably made of CaF2.

公开(公告)号：US20020015431A1

公开(公告)日：2002-02-07

申请号：US09924814

申请日：2001-08-07

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG

Inventor： Jurgen Kleinschmidt ,  Peter Heist ,  Frank Voss ,  Andreas Gortler

IPC: H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: H01S3/225 ,  H01S3/08004 ,  H01S3/08009 ,  H01S3/1062

Abstract: An F2-excimer laser has multiple closely-spaced spectral lines of interest around 157 nm, and one of the lines is selected by wavelength selection optics. The wavelength selection optics of a first preferred embodiment include a birefringent Brewster window enclosing the laser gas volume of the discharge chamber. The window preferably comprises MgF2 and is located at one end of the discharge chamber. One line is selected of the two when the optical thickness of the window is selected in coordination with rotatably adjustable, orthogonal refractive indices of the window. The transmissivity of the window is dependent on the orthogonal refractive indices and the optical thickness of the window. The wavelength selection optics of a second preferred embodiment include are at least partially within the laser active volume. In this way, line selection is performed in a manner which optimizes the combination of optical and discharge efficiency, resonator size and cost. The wavelength selection unit preferably includes a prism having a front surface oriented at Brewster's angle and a back surface oriented to receive and reflect an ordinary refracted ray travelling within the prism at a right angle to the back surface. The back surface also preferably includes a highly reflective coating to serve as the highly reflective surface of the resonator. The wavelength selection unit preferably further comprises an adjustment component for adjusting the orientation of the prism and for enclosing the other end of the housing, opposite the outcoupling end.

Abstract translation: F2准分子激光器在157nm处具有多个紧密分布的感兴趣的谱线，并且通过波长选择光学器件选择一条线。 第一优选实施例的波长选择光学器件包括包围放电室的激光气体体积的双折射布鲁斯特窗口。 窗口优选地包括MgF 2，并且位于放电室的一端。 当窗口的光学厚度与窗口的可旋转调节的正交折射率配合选择时，选择两条线。 窗的透射率取决于正交折射率和窗口的光学厚度。 第二优选实施例的波长选择光学器件至少部分地在激光有源体积内。 以这种方式，以优化光和放电效率，谐振器尺寸和成本的组合的方式执行线选择。 波长选择单元优选地包括具有以布鲁斯特角取向的前表面的棱镜和定向成接收和反射在棱镜内以与该背面成直角的方式行进的普通折射光线的后表面。 背表面还优选地包括用作谐振器的高反射表面的高反射涂层。 波长选择单元优选地还包括用于调整棱镜的取向并且用于封闭与外耦合端相对的壳体的另一端的调节部件。

公开(公告)号：US20020034207A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-21

申请号：US09965492

申请日：2001-09-26

Applicant: Lambda Physik AG

Inventor： Sergei V. Govorkov ,  Klaus Wolfgang Vogler ,  Frank Voss ,  Rainer Patzel

IPC: H01S003/22 ,  H01S003/223

CPC classification number: H01S3/225 ,  B23K26/12 ,  B23K26/128 ,  B23K26/705 ,  B23K2103/05 ,  G01J1/4257 ,  G03F7/70025 ,  G03F7/70558 ,  G03F7/70808 ,  H01S3/0014 ,  H01S3/134

Abstract: A system is provided for delivering a laser beam of wavelength less than 200 nm from a laser, such as an F2 laser or ArF laser, through a sealed enclosure sealably connected to the laser, and preferably to another housing, leading ultimately to a workpiece. The enclosure is preferably evacuated and back-filled with an inert gas to adequately deplete any air, water, hydrocarbons or oxygen within the enclosure. Thereafter or alternatively, an inert gas flow is established and maintained within the enclosure during operation of the laser. The inert gas preferably has high purity, e.g., more than 99.5% and preferably more than 99.999%, wherein the inert is preferably nitrogen or a noble gas. The enclosure is preferably sealed by a window transparent to the sub-200 nm radiation for preventing contaminants generated in the enclosure from entering the housing and contaminating surfaces therein. The enclosure is preferably made of steel and/or copper, and the window is preferably made of CaF2.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种系统，用于通过可密封地连接到激光器的密封外壳，优选地将最终导向工件的激光器等激光器（例如F2激光器或ArF激光器）传送波长小于200nm的激光束。 外壳优选被抽空并用惰性气体反填充以充分消耗外壳内的任何空气，水，碳氢化合物或氧气。 之后或者替代地，在激光器的操作期间建立惰性气体流并保持在外壳内。 惰性气体优选具有高纯度，例如超过99.5％，优选大于99.999％，其中惰性气体优选为氮气或惰性气体。 外壳优选由对于200nm以下的辐射透明的窗口密封，以防止在外壳中产生的污染物进入壳体和污染表面。 外壳优选由钢和/或铜制成，并且窗口优选地由CaF 2制成。