Gas Discharge Produced Plasma Sources Research Articles

Xenon Discharge-Produced Plasma Radiation Source for EUV Lithography

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation with wavelengths of 11-14 nm is seen as the most promising candidate for a new lithographic technology. Compared with synchrotron radiation sources and laser-produced plasmas, gas discharge-produced plasma sources for EUV radiation are expected to offer lower cost of ownership. Using xenon, a broadband emission in the investigated wavelength range from 10 to 17 nm is observed. Very short current pulses, having a fast rise time of 85- or 140-ns duration and 23-kA amplitude, were applied across the xenon-filled Z-pinch capillary (3-mm diameter and 5-mm length) to produce EUV radiation. An EUV radiation from the Z-pinch plasma was characterized, which is based on the temporal behavior of EUV intensity and the pinhole images. Two maximum EUV radiations occur, which are sensitive to the xenon flow rate and the discharge current. The first radiation is relatively of short duration, while the second radiation lasts as long as the first period of the current flows. The EUV source size due to the first radiation is approximately 300 μm, i.e., half of the one due to the second radiation.

Extreme ultraviolet light sources for use in semiconductor lithography—state of the art and future development

This paper gives an overview of the development status and plans of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light sources at XTREME technologies, a joint venture of Lambda Physik AG, Göttingen and JENOPTIK LOS GmbH, Jena, Germany. Results for gas discharge-produced plasma (GDPP) and laser-produced plasma (LPP), the two major technologies in EUV sources, are presented.The GDPP EUV sources use the Z-pinch principle with efficient sliding-discharge pre-ionization. First prototypes of commercial gas discharge sources with an EUV power of 35 W in 2π sr have already been integrated into EUV microsteppers. These sources are equipped with a debris-filter which supports an optics lifetime exceeding 100 million pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate. The same lifetime was achieved for the components of the discharge system itself.The progress in the development of high-power discharge sources based on xenon resulted in an EUV power of 200 W into a 2π sr solid angle, in continuous operation, at 4.5 kHz repetition rate, by implementation of porous-metal cooling technology. The available intermediate focus (IF) power is 22 W taking into account experimentally verified losses in a 1.8 sr source collector module. The usable IF power depends on the etendue of the optical system of the EUV scanner. For the current size of the EUV emitting plasma the etendue acceptance factor may be below 0.5. The currently usable IF power with 1.8 sr collector mirror may therefore be about 10 W.Z-pinch discharge sources with Sn as the emitter have been developed as a more efficient alternative to xenon fuelled sources. Tin sources showed a conversion efficiency (CE) that was double that of xenon. EUV power of 400 W in 2π sr has been generated at only 4.5 kHz repetition rate. The available IF power is 44 W. Estimates evaluating the tin source performance reveal the potential for achieving high-volume manufacturing (HVM) power specification by using existing technology.Because of their small plasma size and the rather simple thermal management in the EUV generator the LPP EUV sources are investigated as alternatives to GDPP sources to achieve sufficient power for HVM with EUV lithography. These sources use xenon-jet target systems and high-power pulsed lasers as plasma excitation drivers developed at XTREME technologies. The maximum CE from laser power into EUV in-band power is 1.0% into a solid angle of 2π. Experimentally, 7 W EUV radiation is generated at 13.5 nm in a 2π sr solid angle with 0.7 kW laser power on the target. The small source volume of <0.5 mm diameter will allow large collection angles of 5 sr. The corresponding usable IF power is estimated to be 2.3 W. With the full power of the installed 1.2 kW laser driver 10 W EUV power in 2π sr is expected. LPP sources with tin targets are estimated to achieve nearly 10 W IF power with existing driver laser technology.GDPP and LPP sources still compete for the technology of HVM sources for EUV lithography. Each of these technologies has its challenges. The optimization potential of the etendue of the optical system of EUV scanners will certainly influence any decision for a HVM source technology.