Abstract:
A laser apparatus comprises storage means for storing the power supply voltage of each pulse at the time of continuous pulse oscillation for one cycle, with each voltage correlated with an identifier which specifies the respective pulse, and output control means for, when a pulse is generated, reading from said storage means the supply voltage of a pulse having the same identifier, and performing pulse oscillation on the basis of the supply voltage. Thus the influence of the spiking phenomenon in the operation in a burst mode is removed as much as possible, and thereby the accurracy of laser beam machining is still more improved.
Abstract:
A wavelength detector capable of accurately detecting the wavelengths of a laser (1) or the like, wherein the vapor of a particular element such as mercury including a plurality of isotopes is heated above a predetermined temperature to separate an oscillation ray of a particular isotope, and the wavelength of the light (La) to be detected is detected using the above separated oscillation ray as a reference light (Lb). Further, a particular isotope is selected from a particular element such as mercury, and the light to be detected is detected using the oscillation ray of the vapor of the above particular isotope as a reference light. Here, the above isolated oscillation ray or the oscillation ray from the vapor of the particular isotope has a narrow wavelength width. Therefore, as the oscillation ray falls on the detection surface of the light detector (8), it is allowed to precisely detect the position of the interference fringe (8a). The wavelength of the light to be detected is accurately detected based upon the difference between the above detected position and the detected position of interference fringe (8b) of when the light to be detected falls on the detection surface of the light detector. The wavelength detector of the invention is used for detecting the wavelength of a narrow-band oscillation excimer laser beam, and the wavelength of the excimer laser beam is controlled based on the detected wavelength to stably narrow the band and to accurately fix the wavelength to a setpoint value.
Abstract:
An amplifier PAkappa including a plurality of discharge tubes and a MOPA laser apparatus including a master oscillator as a seed laser configured to output a pulsed laser beam, at least one of said amplifier PAkappa comprising a plurality of discharge tubes provided on a designated path of the pulsed laser beam, and an optical system comprising mirrors arranged between said discharge tubes and/or said at least one amplifiers when more than one, to steer the seed laser beam so that it travels along the designed path.
Abstract:
A system includes a chamber, a laser beam apparatus configured to generate a laser beam to be introduced into the chamber, a laser controller for the laser beam apparatus to control at least a beam intensity and an output timing of the laser beam, and a target supply unit configured to supply a target material into the chamber, the target material being irradiated with the laser beam for generating extreme ultraviolet light.
Abstract:
A laser apparatus may include : a master oscillator configured to output a pulsed laser beam at a repetition rate, the master oscillator including at least one semiconductor laser apparatus; at least one amplifier configured to amplify the pulsed laser beam from the master oscillator, the at least one amplifier being configured to include at least one gain bandwidth; and a controller for controlling a parameter affecting an output wavelength of the pulsed laser beam from the master oscillator such that a wavelength chirping range of the pulsed laser beam from the master oscillator overlaps at least a part of the at least one gain bandwidth.
Abstract:
A method for generating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light that includes the steps of supplying a droplet of a target material into a chamber, diffusing the droplet by irradiating the droplet by a pre-pulse laser beam to form a diffused target, and generating a plasma by irradiating the diffused target by a main pulse laser beam wherein the plasma emits extreme ultraviolet light. The main pulse laser beam has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially coincident with a shape of the diffused target at the irradiation point.
Abstract:
A laser apparatus includes: a master oscillator (11) configured to output a pulsed laser beam at a repetition rate; at least one amplifier (30 1,...30 N) disposed on a beam path of the pulsed laser beam; at least one optical shutter (20 1,...20 N) disposed on the beam path of the pulsed laser beam; and a controller (110) configured to switch the at least one optical shutter. Electro - optic, magneto - optic or acousto - optic devices may be used in the shutter. Quantum cascade lasers may be used in the master oscillator. An EUV laser produced plasma source including the laser apparatus is also disclosed, as well as etails relating to the synchornization of the laser apparatus and a target supply unit (26) for supplying droplets (27) of a target material to the plasma generation region (25).
Abstract:
A mirror includes a mirror base provided with a flow channel through which a heat medium passes for cooling the mirror. The flow channel includes a buffer tank, portion for adjusting a flow rate of the heat medium in the flow channel. A reflective film is provided on the mirror base.
Abstract:
A laser device may include: a diffraction grating (12A); and a plurality of semiconductor lasers (11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4) disposed such that laser beams (L1) outputted therefrom are incident on the diffraction grating (12A) and at least one of diffraction beams of each laser beam travels in a predetermined direction.
Abstract:
A burst-on/off signal transmitting means which generates a burst-on signal for starting continuous-wave oscillation of a laser and a burst-off signal for starting stopping the continuous-wave oscillation and transmits the signals to the laser is provided on the machining device side. A control means which receives the burst-on/off signals and controls burst operation by using the signal is provided on the laser side. The charging control is not needed while the laser does not oscillate. Therefore the safety of the laser is ensured. The output of the laser is controlled to a fixed level with high accuracy, and the responsivenesses of the other controls and the control speed are improved.