Patents by Inventor Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmu Kempen

Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmu Kempen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150055106
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for facilitating the start up of a fuel droplet stream generator. During a start-up phase the fuel droplet stream generator is positioned so that the fuel droplets re emitted downwardly whereby gravity assists in the establishment of the stream. The droplets are monitored using a visualization system and once the stream is determined to have the desired characteristics the stream generator is moved to a second position of steady state use in which the droplet stream is emitted in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Johan Frederik Dijksman, Johannes Hultermans, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Ramin Badie
  • Publication number: 20150015863
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of monitoring the operation of a radiation source fuel droplet stream generator comprising a fuel-containing capillary and a piezo-electric actuator (500). The method comprises analysing the resonance frequency spectrum of a system comprising the fuel-containing capillary and the piezo-electric actuator in particular to look for changes in the resonance frequencies of the acoustic system which may be indicative of a change in the properties of the system requiring investigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: ASML Netherland B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, John Frederik Dijkusman, Jan Jan Meastrom
  • Patent number: 8890099
    Abstract: A radiation source for generating EUV from a stream of molten metal fuel droplets by LPP (Laser Produced Plasma) or (Dual Laser Plasma) has a fuel droplet generator arranged to provide a stream of droplets of fuel and at least one laser configured to vaporise at least some of said droplets of fuel, whereby radiation is generated. The fuel droplet generator has nozzle, fuel supply line, and reservoir, with a pumping device arranged to supply a flow of molten metal fuel from the reservoir through the fuel feed line and out of the nozzle as a stream of droplets. The fuel droplet generator has a replaceable filter assembly in the fuel feed line, arranged to filter the molten metal fuel in use, to deter nozzle blockage by solid particulate impurities in the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald Johannes Hultermans, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Bernard Van Essen
  • Publication number: 20140209817
    Abstract: A radiation source for generating EUV from a stream of molten metal fuel droplets by LPP (Laser Produced Plasma) or (Dual Laser Plasma) has a fuel droplet generator arranged to provide a stream of droplets of fuel and at least one laser configured to vaporise at least some of said droplets of fuel, whereby radiation is generated. The fuel droplet generator has nozzle, fuel supply line, and reservoir, with a pumping device arranged to supply a flow of molten metal fuel from the reservoir through the fuel feed line and out of the nozzle as a stream of droplets. The fuel droplet generator has a replaceable filter assembly in the fuel feed line, arranged to filter the molten metal fuel in use, to deter nozzle blockage by solid particulate impurities in the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald Johannes Hultermans, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Bernard Van Essen
  • Publication number: 20140203193
    Abstract: A radiation source having a nozzle configured to direct a stream of fuel droplets along a trajectory towards a plasma formation location, a laser configured to direct laser radiation at the fuel droplets at the plasma formation location to generate, in use, a radiation generating plasma. The nozzle has an internal surface that is configured to prevent contamination present in fuel used to form the fuel droplets from being deposited on that internal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Corne Rentrop, Dennis De Graaf, Frits Gubbels, Gregory Richard Hayes, Hubertus Johannes Van De Wiel
  • Publication number: 20140160453
    Abstract: A radiation source includes a nozzle configured to direct a stream of fuel droplets along a trajectory towards a plasma formation location; a laser configured to output laser radiation, the laser radiation directed at the fuel droplets at the plasma formation location to generate, in use, a radiation generating plasma; and a catch configured to catch fuel droplets that pass the plasma formation location. The catch includes a container configured to contain a fluid; a driver configured to drive the fluid, to cause the fluid to move; the catch being configured such that the fuel droplets are incident on that moving fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Christian Wagner, Henricus Gerardus Tegenbosch, Gerardus Hubertus Petrus Maria Swinkels
  • Patent number: 8685632
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a source configured to generate a radiation beam comprising desired radiation and undesired radiation using a plasma, an illumination system configured to condition the radiation beam and to receive hydrogen gas during operation of the lithographic apparatus, and a support structure constructed to hold a patterning device. The patterning device is capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. A substrate table is constructed to hold a substrate, and a projection system is configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic apparatus is configured such that the radiation beam on entering the projection system includes at least 50% of the undesired radiation that is generated by the plasma and includes wavelengths of radiation that interact with the hydrogen gas to generate hydrogen radicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Vadim Yevgenyevich Banine, Vladimir Vitalevich Ivanov, Erik Roelof Loopstra
  • Patent number: 8446560
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a magnet being contained in a protective enclosure, the protective enclosure being arranged to protect the magnet from contact with a H2-containing or H-atom containing gas. The enclosure may further contain a hydrogen getter, such as a magnet-surface modifying gas, or a non-hydrogen containing gas. A non-hydrogen containing gas flow may be provided or a non-hydrogen getter gas flow may be provided through at least part of the protective enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Hubertus Josephina Moors, Norbertus Benedictus Koster, Erik Roelo Loopstra, Martin Frans Pierre Smeets, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen
  • Publication number: 20130088697
    Abstract: A collector mirror assembly includes a collector mirror that includes a reflective surface and a hole having an edge. The hole extends through the reflective surface. The assembly also includes a tubular body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The tubular body is constructed and arranged to guide a gas flow in a direction substantially transverse to the reflective surface. The outer surface of the tubular body and the edge of the hole form an opening arranged to guide a further gas flow that diverges with respect the gas flow substantially transverse to the reflective surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Dzmitry Labetski, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen
  • Publication number: 20130077071
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiation source comprising: a reservoir configured to retain a volume of fuel; a nozzle, in fluid connection with the reservoir, and configured to direct a stream of fuel along a trajectory towards a plasma formation location; a laser configured to direct laser radiation at the stream at the plasma formation location to generate, in use, a radiation generating plasma; and a contamination filter assembly located in a fuel flow path of the radiation source, upstream of a nozzle outlet, a filter medium of that contamination filter assembly being held in place within the contamination filter assembly by a clamping force provided by one or more objects that at least partially surround the filter medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen VAN DEN AKKER, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Andriaan Cornelis Kuijpers
  • Publication number: 20130057840
    Abstract: There is provided a multilayer mirror (80) comprising a layer of a first material (84) and a layer of silicon (82). The layer of the first material and the layer of silicon form a stack of layers. An exposed region of the layer of silicon comprises a modification that is arranged to improve the robustness of the exposed region of silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Vadim Iourievich Timoshkov, Jan Bernard Plechelmus Van Schoot, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmu Kempen, Andrei Mikhailovich Yakunin, Edgar Alberto Osorio Oliveros
  • Publication number: 20120295205
    Abstract: A radiation source generates extreme ultraviolet radiation for a lithographic apparatus as a chamber that is provided with a low pressure hydrogen environment. A trace amount of a protective compound, e.g., H2O, H2O2, O2, NH3 or NOx, is provided to the chamber to assist in maintaining a protective oxide film on metal, e.g., titanium, components in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Richard Joseph Bruls, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Johannes Hubertus Josephina Moors, Gerardus Hubertus Petrus Maria Swinkels, Wilbert Jan Mestrom
  • Publication number: 20120006258
    Abstract: A method of reducing contamination generated by a hydrogen radical generator and deposited on an optical element of a lithographic apparatus includes passing molecular hydrogen over a first part of a metal filament of the hydrogen radical generator, the first part including a metal-oxide, when the temperature of the first part of the metal filament is at a reduction temperature less than or equal to an evaporation temperature of the metal-oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Gerard Frans Jozef Schasfoort, Jeroen Marcel Huijbregtse, Roeland Nicolaas Maria Vanneer, Arnoldus Jan Storm, Edwin Te Sligte, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Wouter Andries Jonker, Timo Huijser
  • Publication number: 20110143288
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a source configured to generate a radiation beam comprising desired radiation and undesired radiation using a plasma, an illumination system configured to condition the radiation beam and to receive hydrogen gas during operation of the lithographic apparatus, and a support structure constructed to hold a patterning device. The patterning device is capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. A substrate table is constructed to hold a substrate, and a projection system is configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic apparatus is configured such that the radiation beam on entering the projection system includes at least 50% of the undesired radiation that is generated by the plasma and includes wavelengths of radiation that interact with the hydrogen gas to generate hydrogen radicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Vadim Yevgenyevich Banine, Vladimir Vitalevich Ivanov, Erik Roelof Loopstra
  • Publication number: 20110013157
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a magnet being contained in a protective enclosure, the protective enclosure being arranged to protect the magnet from contact with a H2-containing or H-atom containing gas. The enclosure may further contain a hydrogen getter, such as a magnet-surface modifying gas, or a non-hydrogen containing gas. A non-hydrogen containing gas flow may be provided or a non-hydrogen getter gas flow may be provided through at least part of the protective enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Hubertus Josephina Moors, Norbertus Benedictus Koster, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Martin Frans Pierre Smeets, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen
  • Patent number: 7667820
    Abstract: An amount of oxides in an apparatus having a chamber containing an amount of contamination material and an amount of the oxides, the oxides being oxides of the contamination material, is reduced. In the method, a hydrogen containing gas is provided in at least part of the chamber. A predetermined minimum partial hydrogen gas pressure and a predetermined maximum partial oxidants pressure is established in the chamber. In the chamber, a temperature is maintained which is at least higher than a temperature at which, in thermodynamic equilibrium given the predetermined maximum partial oxidants and minimum partial hydrogen gas pressures as established, the amount of contamination material is at least 10 times higher than the amount of oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen
  • Publication number: 20080218709
    Abstract: The invention provides a cleaning process for the removal of deposition on an element of a lithographic apparatus. The method includes (ex situ) treating the element with an alkaline cleaning liquid. In this way, Sn may be removed from a contaminant barrier or a collector mirror. Especially beneficial is the application of a voltages to the element to be cleaned and/or by using complexing agents for improving the dissolution of Sn in the cleaning liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Roland Edward Van Vliet, Harm-Jan Voorma, Antonius Theodorus Wilhelmus Kempen, Arjan Hovestad