Abstract: A reliable modular production quality ArF excimer laser capable of producing laser pulses at repetition rates in the range of 3,000 to 4,000 Hz or greater with pulse energies in the range of about 2 mJ to 5 mJ or greater with a full width half, maximum bandwidth of about 0.4 pm or less and dose stability of less than 0.4 percent. Using this laser as an illumination source, stepper or scanner equipment can produce integrated circuit resolution of 0.10 &mgr;m (100 nm) or less. Replaceable modules include a laser chamber; a modular pulse power system; and a line narrowing module. For a given laser power output, the higher repetition rate provides two important advantages. The lower per pulse energy means less optical damage and the larger number of pulses for a specified illumination dose means better dose stability.

Abstract: A gas discharge laser having a laser chamber with two elongated erodable electrode elements, each having an erodable section and an electrode with support configured to minimize discharge region laser gas turbulence and with the electrode elements being configured to permit gradual erosion over more than 8 billion pulses without causing substantial changes in the shape of electrical discharges between the electrode elements. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses of at least 2J at rates of at least 2 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 2 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.

Abstract: A gas discharge laser capable of operating at pulse rates in the range of 4,000 Hz to 6,000 Hz at pulse energies in the range of 5 mJ to 10 mJ or greater.

Abstract: A gas discharge laser having a laser chamber with two elongated erodable electrode elements, at least one of said electrode element having a generally blunt blade-shaped portion comprised of a material having high electrical conductivity with a flow shaping dielectric fairing positioned on each of two sides of said blunt blade-shaped portion. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses at rates of at least 1 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 10 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.

Abstract: A long life laser chamber for a halogen containing gas discharge laser. In a preferred embodiment electrode erosion caused by excited fluorine (i.e., atomic fluorine and fluorine ions) is reduced by forcing the excited fluorine away from the discharge footprint of the electrodes. Preferred embodiments include electrodes with a large number of small holes in the discharge footprint through which laser gas flows to remove the excited fluorine from the footprint region in the time period between electric discharges.

Abstract: A gas discharge laser having a laser chamber with two elongated erodable electrode elements, at least one of said electrode element having a generally blunt blade-shaped portion comprised of a material having high electrical conductivity with a flow shaping dielectric fairing positioned on each of two sides of said blunt blade-shaped portion. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses at rates of at least 1 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 10 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.

Abstract: Methods and structural changes in gas discharge lasers for minimizing wavelength chirp at high pulse rates. Applicants have identified the major cause of wavelength chirp in high pulse rate gas discharge lithography lasers as pressure waves from a discharge reflecting back to the discharge region coincident with a subsequent discharge. The timing of the arrival of the pressure wave is determined by the temperature of the laser gas through which the wave is traveling. During burst mode operation, the laser gas temperature in prior art lasers changes by several degrees over periods of a few milliseconds. These changing temperatures change the location of the coincident pressure waves from pulse to pulse within the discharge region causing a variation in the pressure of the laser gas which in turn affects the index of refraction of the discharge region causing the laser beam exiting the rear of the laser to slightly change direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable modular production quality excimer laser capable of producing 10 mJ laser pulses in the range of 1000 Hz to 2000 Hz or greater. Replaceable modules include a laser chamber; a pulse power system comprised of three modules; an optical resonator comprised of a line narrowing module and an output coupler module; a wavemeter module, an electrical control module, a cooling water module and a gas control module. Important improvements have been provided in the pulse power unit to produce faster rise time and improved pulse energy control. These improvements include an increased capacity high voltage power supply with a voltage bleed-down circuit for precise voltage trimming, an improved commutation module that generates a high voltage pulse from the capacitors charged by the high voltage power supply and amplifies the pulse voltage 23 times with a very fast voltage transformer having a secondary winding consisting of a single four-segment stainless steel rod.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable modular production quality excimer laser capable of producing 10 mJ laser pulses in the range of 1000 Hz to 2000 Hz or greater. Replaceable modules include a laser chamber; a pulse power system comprised of three modules; an optical resonator comprised of a line narrowing module and an output coupler module; a wavemeter module, an electrical control module, a cooling water module and a gas control module. Important improvements have been provided in the pulse power unit to produce faster rise time and improved pulse energy control. These improvements include an increased capacity high voltage power supply with a voltage bleed-down circuit for precise voltage trimming, an improved communication module that generates a high voltage pulse from the capacitors charged by the high voltage power supply and amplifies the pulse voltage 23 times with a very fast voltage transformer having a secondary winding consisting of a single four-segment stainless steel rod.