Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable, high-repetition rate, production line compatible high energy photon source. A very hot plasma containing an active material is produced in vacuum chamber. The active material is an atomic element having an emission line within a desired extreme ultraviolet (EUV) range. A pulse power source comprising a charging capacitor and a magnetic compression circuit comprising a pulse transformer, provides electrical pulses having sufficient energy and electrical potential sufficient to produce the EUV light at an intermediate focus at rates in excess of 5 Watts. In preferred embodiments designed by Applicants in-band, EUV light energy at the intermediate focus is 45 Watts extendable to 105.8 Watts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a very high repetition gas discharge laser system magnetic switch pulsed power system is disclosed, which may comprise a solid state switch, a charging power supply electrically connected to one side of the solid state switch; a charging inductor electrically connected to the other side of the solid state switch; a deque circuit electrically in parallel with the solid state switch comprising a deque switch; a peaking capacitor electrically connected to the charging inductor, a peaking capacitor charging control system operative to charge the peaking capacitor by opening the deque switch and leaving the solid state switch open and then shutting the solid state switch. The solid state switch may comprise a plurality of solid state switches electrically in parallel.

Abstract: A apparatus and method are disclosed which may comprise a fluorine gas discharge laser system and electrode support system which may comprise a first electrode electrically connected to a source of high voltage; a first insulating mechanism insulating the first electrode from ground; a second electrode electrically insulated from the source of high voltage and together with the first electrode forming an elongated discharge region between portions of the first and second electrodes respectively extending along a longitudinal axis of each of the first and second electrodes, defining electrode discharge receiving region end portions; a plurality of current return tines electrically connected to the second electrode and to ground, the tines distributed along the longitudinal extent of the elongated discharge region; a second insulating mechanism electrically isolating the second electrode from ground except through the plurality of current return tines.

Abstract: Moulding material comprising a core layer, a reinforcement layer provided on each surface of said core layer, and a layer of a surfacing material provided on a reinforcement layer. The core layer comprises a core resin material and a filler material. The reinforcement layer comprises a fibrous reinforcement material and a reinforcement resin material. The reinforcement layer further comprises a conduit to allow gases to pass out of the moulding material via the reinforcement layer during processing of the moulding material whereby the conduit structure is formed by said reinforcement material.

Abstract: Feedback timing control equipment and process for an injection seeded modular gas discharge laser. A preferred embodiment is a system capable of producing high quality pulsed laser beams at pulse rates of about 4,000 Hz or greater and at pulse energies of about 5 to 10 mJ or greater for integrated outputs of about 20 to 40 Watts or greater. The feedback timing control is programmed to permit in some circumstances discharges timed so that no significant laser energy is output from the system. Use of this technique permits burst mode operation in which the first discharge of a burst is a no-output discharge so that timing parameters for each of the two chambers can be monitored before the first laser output pulse of the burst. Two separate discharge chambers are provided, one of which is a part of a master oscillator producing a very narrow band seed beam which is amplified in the second discharge chamber.

Abstract: A high pulse repetition rate gas discharge laser system pulse power system magnetic reactor may comprise a housing comprising a core containing compartment between an inner wall of the housing, an outer wall and a bottom wall of the housing; a cooling mechanism operative to withdraw heat from the at least one of the inner wall, outer wall and bottom of the housing; at least one two magnetic cores contained within the core containing compartment; a cooling fin disposed between each of the at least two magnetic cores; and a thermal conductivity enhancement mechanism intermediate at least one of each respective cooling fin and each respective core and a respective one of the inner wall, the outer wall or the bottom wall, the thermal conductivity enhancement mechanism comprising a band comprising a plurality of torsion spring or leaf spring elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a modular high repetition rate two discharge chamber ultraviolet gas discharge laser. In preferred embodiments, the laser is a production line machine with a master oscillator producing a very narrow band seed beam which is amplified in the second discharge chamber. Novel control features specially adapted for a two-chamber gas discharge laser system include: (1) pulse energy controls, with nanosecond timing precision (2) precision pulse to pulse wavelength controls with high speed and extreme speed wavelength tuning (3) fast response gas temperature control and (4) F2 injection controls with novel learning algorithm.

Abstract: An oscillator-amplifier gas discharge laser system and method is disclosed which may comprise a first laser unit which may comprise a first discharge region which may contain an excimer or molecular fluorine lasing gas medium; a first pair of electrodes defining the first discharge region containing the lasing gas medium, a line narrowing unit for narrowing a spectral bandwidth of output laser light pulse beam pulses produced in said first discharge region; a second laser unit which may comprise a second discharge chamber which may contain an excimer or molecular fluorine lasing gas medium; a second pair of electrodes defining the second discharge region containing the lasing gas medium; a pulse power system providing electrical pulses to the first pair of electrodes and to the second pair of electrodes producing gas discharges in the lasing gas medium between the respective first and second pair of electrodes, and laser parameter control mechanism modifying a selected parameter of a selected laser output lig

Abstract: An oscillator-amplifier gas discharge laser system and method is disclosed which may comprise a first laser unit which may comprise a first discharge region which may contain an excimer or molecular fluorine lasing gas medium; a first pair of electrodes defining the first discharge region containing the lasing gas medium, a line narrowing unit for narrowing a spectral bandwidth of output laser light pulse beam pulses produced in said first discharge region; a second laser unit which may comprise a second discharge chamber which may contain an excimer or molecular fluorine lasing gas medium; a second pair of electrodes defining the second discharge region containing the lasing gas medium; a pulse power system providing electrical pulses to the first pair of electrodes and to the second pair of electrodes producing gas discharges in the lasing gas medium between the respective first and second pair of electrodes, and laser parameter control mechanism modifying a selected parameter of a selected laser output lig

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a modular high repetition rate two discharge chamber ultraviolet gas discharge laser. In preferred embodiments, the laser is a production line machine with a master oscillator producing a very narrow band seed beam which is amplified in the second discharge chamber. Novel control features specially adapted for a two-chamber gas discharge laser system include: (1) pulse energy controls, with nanosecond timing precision (2) precision pulse to pulse wavelength controls with high speed and extreme speed wavelength tuning (3) fast response gas temperature control and (4) F2 injection controls with novel learning algorithm.

Abstract: A leak-resistant drinking system is disclosed. The leak-resistant drinking system comprises squeeze-openable check valves for use with straws and cup lids, and tighteners to tighten the rim of a cup against the cup lid with expanding hygroscopic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable, high-repetition rate, production line compatible high energy photon source. A very hot plasma containing an active material is produced in vacuum chamber. The active material is an atomic element having an emission line within a desired extreme ultraviolet (EUV) range. A pulse power source comprising a charging capacitor and a magnetic compression circuit comprising a pulse transformer, provides electrical pulses having sufficient energy and electrical potential sufficient to produce the EUV light at an intermediate focus at rates in excess of 5 Watts. In preferred embodiments designed by Applicants in-band, EUV light energy at the intermediate focus is 45 Watts extendable to 105.8 Watts.

Abstract: Feedback timing control equipment and process for an injection seeded modular gas discharge laser. A preferred embodiment is a system capable of producing high quality pulsed laser beams at pulse rates of about 4,000 Hz or greater and at pulse energies of about 5 to 10 mJ or greater for integrated outputs of about 20 to 40 Watts or greater. The feedback timing control is programmed to permit in some circumstances discharges timed so that no significant laser energy is output from the system. Use of this technique permits burst mode operation in which the first discharge of a burst is a no-output discharge so that timing parameters for each of the two chambers can be monitored before the first laser output pulse of the burst. Two separate discharge chambers are provided, one of which is a part of a master oscillator producing a very narrow band seed beam which is amplified in the second discharge chamber.

Abstract: A surface material provides an in-mold surface coating of a high cosmetic quality and includes a layer of a surface resin material and a resin conducting layer. The resin conducting layer comprises a venting structure for venting intralaminar and interlaminar gases during processing of the surface material. The resin conducting layer further includes a resin retention structure for keeping the resin material in contact with the mold surface.

Abstract: Moulding material comprising a core layer, a reinforcement layer provided on each surface of said core layer, and a layer of a surfacing material provided on a reinforcement layer. The core layer comprises a core resin material and a filler material. The reinforcement layer comprises a fibrous reinforcement material and a reinforcement resin material. The reinforcement layer further comprises a conduit to allow gases to pass out of the moulding material via the reinforcement layer during processing of the moulding material whereby the conduit structure is formed by said reinforcement material.

Abstract: The present device includes a primary coil wound on a spool having an opening at one end for receiving the nozzle of a container. The coil is connected to an alternating current source. The nozzle of the container has a conductive portion which functions as a secondary inductor having internal resistance. Current is induced and dissipated in the conductive portion thereby heating the portion and the substance contained therein.

Abstract: An envelope-like packet defining a closed chamber for fluid to be dispensed and having side walls, at least one of which is flexible, and a rupturable end portion. An extensible envelope rupturing member is disposed in the chamber and includes an envelope rupturing point directed toward said rupturable portion. The rupturing member has spaced portions engaging the side walls, and is responsive to inward pressure imparted to said side walls against said spaced portions to extend the point into rupturing engagement with the rupturable portion of the envelope.

Abstract: An elongated elastic strip for holding in traction or tension a relatively movable member, such as a catheter of the balloon type used to provide hemostasis. The elastic strip has enlarged end portions for attachment respectively to the relatively movable member and to a relatively stationary member or portion. A measuring device on the elastic strip indicates the degree of tension applied to the movable member.