Laser beam plasma pinch X-ray system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for producing X-rays comprising:
- generating plasma directly from solid material by laser beam impingement; and
generating X-rays by passing high current rectilinearly axially through said plasma causing radially inward magnetic field plasma pinching perpendicularly to the rectilinear axial current flow, the X-ray emitting plasma pinched region being at a different location than and spaced radially inwardly of the laser beam impingement location, said laser beam being directed in an axial path parallel to or colinear with the current axis.
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Abstract
A system is provided for producing plasma pinch X-rays usable in X-ray lithography. Ionized heated plasma vapor is repeatably generated directly from solid material by impingement of a plurality of circumferentially spaced laser beams to generate an annulus of plasma. X-rays are generated by passing high current through the annular plasma in an axial gap between the solid material target electrode and another electrode, causing magnetic field radial inward plasma pinching to a central constricted area further heating the plasma and emitting X-rays. A central axially directed laser may further heat the plasma in the pinched area.
141 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for producing X-rays comprising:
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generating plasma directly from solid material by laser beam impingement; and generating X-rays by passing high current rectilinearly axially through said plasma causing radially inward magnetic field plasma pinching perpendicularly to the rectilinear axial current flow, the X-ray emitting plasma pinched region being at a different location than and spaced radially inwardly of the laser beam impingement location, said laser beam being directed in an axial path parallel to or colinear with the current axis.
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2. A method for producing X-rays comprising:
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repeatably generating plasma in an annulus directly from solid material by laser beam impingements; and generating X-rays by passing high current through said plasma causing magnetic field plasma pinching. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for producing X-rays usable for fine line lithography, comprising:
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repeatably generating plasma in an annulus directly from solid material by laser beam impingement; and generating X-rays by passing high current axially through said plasma causing radial inward magnetic field pinching of said plasma annulus. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. Apparatus for producing X-rays comprising:
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means for generating plasma directly from solid material by laser beam impingement along a plurality of axially extending laser beam paths impinging said solid material at a plurality of radially spaced locations; and means for generating X-rays by passing high current through said plasma between axially spaced electrodes causing radially inward magnetic field plasma pinching, the X-ray emitting plasma pinched region being at a different location than and spaced radially inwardly of the laser beam impingment location.
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12. Apparatus for producing X-rays comprising:
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means for repeatably generating plasma in an annulus directly from solid material by laser beam impingement; and means for generating X-rays by passing high current through said plasma causing magnetic field plasma pinching. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for producing X-rays comprising:
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initially generating plasma directly from solid material by axial laser beam impingment at radially spaced locations; and subsequently generating X-rays by passing high current axially through said plasma causing radially inward magnetic field plasma pinching, said laser beam impingement occuring prior to said plasma pinching. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. Apparatus for producing X-rays comprising:
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means for initially generating plasma directly from solid material by axial laser beam impingement at radially spaced locations; and means for subsequently generating X-rays by passing high current axially through said plasma causing radially inward magnetic field plasma pinching, said laser beam impingement occuring prior to said plasma pinching. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification