Patents by Inventor David C. Brandt

David C. Brandt 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).

  • Patent number: 10635002
    Abstract: A reflective EUV optic such as a collector mirror configured as an array of facets that are spaced apart to form respective gaps between adjacent facets. The gaps are used as inlets for gas flow across one of the facets such that flow is introduced parallel to the optic surface. The facets can be made with offsets such that loss of reflective area of the EUV optic can be minimized. The gas facilitates removal of target material from the surface of the facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: David C. Brandt, Alexander I. Ershov, Igor V. Fomenkov
  • Patent number: 9713239
    Abstract: An EUV light source is disclosed which may comprise a plurality of targets, e.g., tin droplets, and a system generating pre-pulses and main-pulses with the pre-pulses for irradiating targets to produce expanded targets. The system may further comprise a continuously pumped laser device generating the main pulses with the main pulses for irradiating expanded targets to produce a burst of EUV light pulses. The system may also have a controller varying at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses. In addition, the EUV light source may also include an instrument measuring an intensity of at least one EUV light pulse within a burst of EUV light pulses and providing a feedback signal to the controller to vary at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses to produce a burst of EUV pulses having a pre-selected dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bjorn A. M. Hansson, Alexander N. Bykanov, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20170097572
    Abstract: A reflective EUV optic such as a collector mirror configured as an array of facets that are spaced apart to form respective gaps between adjacent facets. The gaps are used as inlets for gas flow across one of the facets such that flow is introduced parallel to the optic surface. The facets can be made with offsets such that loss of reflective area of the EUV optic can be minimized. The gas facilitates removal of target material from the surface of the facets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: David C. Brandt, Alexander I. Ershov, Igor V. Fomenkov
  • Patent number: 9541840
    Abstract: A reflective EUV optic such as a collector mirror configured as an array of facets that are spaced apart to form respective gaps between adjacent facets. The gaps are used as inlets for gas flow across one of the facets such that flow is introduced parallel to the optic surface. The facets can be made with offsets such that loss of reflective area of the EUV optic can be minimized. The gas facilitates removal of target material from the surface of the facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: David C. Brandt, Alexander I. Ershov, Igor V. Fomenkov
  • Publication number: 20160179012
    Abstract: A reflective EUV optic such as a collector mirror configured as an array of facets that are spaced apart to form respective gaps between adjacent facets. The gaps are used as inlets for gas flow across one of the facets such that flow is introduced parallel to the optic surface. The facets can be made with offsets such that loss of reflective area of the EUV optic can be minimized. The gas facilitates removal of target material from the surface of the facets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: David C. BRANDT, Alexander I. ERSHOV, Igor V. FOMENKOV
  • Publication number: 20120193547
    Abstract: An EUV light source is disclosed which may comprise a plurality of targets, e.g., tin droplets, and a system generating pre-pulses and main-pulses with the pre-pulses for irradiating targets to produce expanded targets. The system may further comprise a continuously pumped laser device generating the main pulses with the main pulses for irradiating expanded targets to produce a burst of EUV light pulses. The system may also have a controller varying at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses. In addition, the EUV light source may also include an instrument measuring an intensity of at least one EUV light pulse within a burst of EUV light pulses and providing a feedback signal to the controller to vary at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses to produce a burst of EUV pulses having a pre-selected dose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Bjorn A. M. Hansson, Alexander N. Bykanov, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt
  • Patent number: 8198615
    Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods of use are described herein which may comprise an enclosing structure defining a closed loop flow path and a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, e.g. laser produced plasma system, where the plasma site may be in fluid communication with the flow path. For the device, a gas may be disposed in the enclosing structure which may include an ion-stopping buffer gas and/or an etchant. A pump may be provided to force the gas through the closed loop flow path. One or more heat exchangers removing heat from gas flowing in the flow path may be provided. In some arrangements, a filter may be used to remove at least a portion of a target species from gas flowing in the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Bykanov, Alexander I. Ershov, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20110079736
    Abstract: An EUV light source is disclosed which may comprise a plurality of targets, e.g., tin droplets, and a system generating pre-pulses and main-pulses with the pre-pulses for irradiating targets to produce expanded targets. The system may further comprise a continuously pumped laser device generating the main pulses with the main pulses for irradiating expanded targets to produce a burst of EUV light pulses. The system may also have a controller varying at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses. In addition, the EUV light source may also include an instrument measuring an intensity of at least one EUV light pulse within a burst of EUV light pulses and providing a feedback signal to the controller to vary at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses to produce a burst of EUV pulses having a pre-selected dose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Bjorn A. M. Hansson, Alexander N. Bykanov, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt
  • Patent number: 7872245
    Abstract: Devices are disclosed herein which may comprise an EUV reflective optic having a surface of revolution that defines a rotation axis and a circular periphery. The optic may be positioned to incline the axis at a nonzero angle relative to a horizontal plane, and to establish a vertical projection of the periphery in the horizontal plane with the periphery projection bounding a region in the horizontal plane. The device may further comprise a system delivering target material, the system having a target material release point that is located in the horizontal plane and outside the region, bounded by the periphery projection and a system generating a laser beam for irradiating the target material to generate an EUV emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgiy O. Vaschenko, Alexander N. Bykanov, Norbert R. Bowering, David C. Brandt, Alexander I. Ershov, Rodney D. Simmons, Oleh V. Khodykin, Igor V. Fomenkov
  • Patent number: 7812329
    Abstract: A gas flow management system may comprise a first and second enclosing walls at least partially surrounding first and second respective spaces; a system generating plasma in the first space, the plasma emitting extreme ultraviolet light; an elongated body restricting flow from the first space to the second space, the body at least partially surrounding a passageway and having a first open end allowing EUV light to enter the passageway from the first space and a second open end allowing EUV light to exit the passageway into the second space, the body shaped to establish a location having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first and second ends; and a flow of gas exiting an aperture, the aperture positioned to introduce gas into the passageway at a position between the first end of the body and the location having a reduced cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Bykanov, David C. Brandt, Igor V. Fomenkov, William N. Partlo
  • Publication number: 20100140514
    Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods of use are described herein which may comprise an enclosing structure defining a closed loop flow path and a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, e.g. laser produced plasma system, where the plasma site may be in fluid communication with the flow path. For the device, a gas may be disposed in the enclosing structure which may include an ion-stopping buffer gas and/or an etchant. A pump may be provided to force the gas through the closed loop flow path. One or more heat exchangers removing heat from gas flowing in the flow path may be provided. In some arrangements, a filter may be used to remove at least a portion of a target species from gas flowing in the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Bykanov, Alexander I. Ershov, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20100127186
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which may comprise a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, the plasma producing EUV radiation and ions exiting the plasma. The device may also include an optic, e.g., a multi-layer mirror, distanced from the site by a distance, d, and a flowing gas disposed between the plasma and optic, the gas establishing a gas pressure sufficient to operate over the distance, d, to reduce ion energy below a pre-selected value before the ions reach the optic. In one embodiment, the gas may comprise hydrogen and in a particular embodiment, the gas may comprise greater than 50 percent hydrogen by volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Bykanov, Norbert Bowering, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt, Alexander I. Ershov, Oleh Khodykin, William N. Partlo
  • Patent number: 7671349
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which may comprise a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, the plasma producing EUV radiation and ions exiting the plasma. The device may also include an optic, e.g., a multi-layer mirror, distanced from the site by a distance, d, and a flowing gas disposed between the plasma and optic, the gas establishing a gas pressure sufficient to operate over the distance, d, to reduce ion energy below a pre-selected value before the ions reach the optic. In one embodiment, the gas may comprise hydrogen and in a particular embodiment, the gas may comprise greater than 50 percent hydrogen by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Bykanov, Norbert Bowering, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt, Alexander I. Ershov, Oleh Khodykin, William N. Partlo
  • Patent number: 7655925
    Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods of use are described herein which may comprise an enclosing structure defining a closed loop flow path and a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, e.g. laser produced plasma system, where the plasma site may be in fluid communication with the flow path. For the device, a gas may be disposed in the enclosing structure which may include an ion-stopping buffer gas and/or an etchant. A pump may be provided to force the gas through the closed loop flow path. One or more heat exchangers removing heat from gas flowing in the flow path may be provided. In some arrangements, a filter may be used to remove at least a portion of a target species from gas flowing in the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Bykanov, Alexander I. Ershov, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20090230326
    Abstract: Devices are disclosed herein which may comprise an EUV reflective optic having a surface of revolution that defines a rotation axis and a circular periphery. The optic may be positioned to incline the axis at a nonzero angle relative to a horizontal plane, and to establish a vertical projection of the periphery in the horizontal plane with the periphery projection bounding a region in the horizontal plane. The device may further comprise a system delivering target material, the system having a target material release point that is located in the horizontal plane and outside the region, bounded by the periphery projection and a system generating a laser beam for irradiating the target material to generate an EUV emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: CYMER, INC.
    Inventors: Georgiy O. Vaschenko, Alexander N. Bykanov, Norbert R. Bowering, David C. Brandt, Alexander I. Ershov, Rodney D. Simmons, Oleh V. Khodykin, Igor V. Fomenkov
  • Publication number: 20090154642
    Abstract: A gas flow management system may comprise a first and second enclosing walls at least partially surrounding first and second respective spaces; a system generating plasma in the first space, the plasma emitting extreme ultraviolet light; an elongated body restricting flow from the first space to the second space, the body at least partially surrounding a passageway and having a first open end allowing EUV light to enter the passageway from the first space and a second open end allowing EUV light to exit the passageway into the second space, the body shaped to establish a location having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first and second ends; and a flow of gas exiting an aperture, the aperture positioned to introduce gas into the passageway at a position between the first end of the body and the location having a reduced cross-sectional area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Bykanov, David C. Brandt, Igor V. Fomenkov, William N. Partlo
  • Publication number: 20090057567
    Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods of use are described herein which may comprise an enclosing structure defining a closed loop flow path and a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, e.g. laser produced plasma system, where the plasma site may be in fluid communication with the flow path. For the device, a gas may be disposed in the enclosing structure which may include an ion-stopping buffer gas and/or an etchant. A pump may be provided to force the gas through the closed loop flow path. One or more heat exchangers removing heat from gas flowing in the flow path may be provided. In some arrangements, a filter may be used to remove at least a portion of a target species from gas flowing in the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Bykanov, Alexander I. Ershov, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20080149862
    Abstract: An EUV light source is disclosed which may comprise a plurality of targets, e.g., tin droplets, and a system generating pre-pulses and main-pulses with the pre-pulses for irradiating targets to produce expanded targets. The system may further comprise a continuously pumped laser device generating the main pulses with the main pulses for irradiating expanded targets to produce a burst of EUV light pulses. The system may also have a controller varying at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses. In addition, the EUV light source may also include an instrument measuring an intensity of at least one EUV light pulse within a burst of EUV light pulses and providing a feedback signal to the controller to vary at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses to produce a burst of EUV pulses having a pre-selected dose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Bjorn A. M. Hansson, Alexander N. Bykanov, Igor V. Fomenkov, David C. Brandt