Abstract: A LSP broadband light source is disclosed. The light source may include a gas containment structure. The light source may include multiple jet nozzles, wherein the jet nozzles are configured to generate supersonic gas jets and direct the supersonic gas jets to collide within the gas containment structure to form a localized high-pressure region at the collision point. The light source may include a primary laser pump source, wherein the primary laser pump source is configured to direct a primary pump beam to a localized high-pressure region formed at the collision point. The light source may include a pulsed-assisting laser source, wherein the pulsed-assisting laser source is configured to direct a pulsed-assisting beam to the localized high-pressure region at the collision point. The light source may include a light collector element configured to collect broadband light emitted from the plasma.

Abstract: A plasma lamp for use in a laser-sustained plasma (LSP) light source is disclosed. The plasma lamp includes a gas containment structure for containing a gas, a gas seal positioned at a base of the gas containment structure, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The plasma lamp includes a gas swirler including a set of nozzles configured to generate a vortex gas flow and a swirler shaft including an inlet channel for delivering the gas from the gas inlet to the nozzles and an outlet channel for delivering the gas from the gas containment structure to the gas outlet. The plasma lamp includes a distributor including one or more plenums to distribute the gas from the gas inlet into the swirler. The plasma lamp may also include a deflector fluidically coupled to the swirler shaft and extending above the set of nozzles and configured to direct gas flow around the swirler.

Abstract: A laser-sustained plasma (LSP) light source with reverse vortex flow is disclosed. The LSP source includes gas cell including a gas containment structure including a body, neck, and shaft. The gas cell includes one or more gas delivery lines for delivery gas to one or more nozzles positioned in or below the neck of the gas containment structure. The gas cell includes one or more gas inlets and one or more gas outlets arranged to generate a reverse vortex flow within the gas containment structure of the gas cell. The LSP source also includes a laser pump source configured to generate an optical pump to sustain a plasma in a region of the gas containment structure. The LSP source includes a light collector element configured to collect at least a portion of broadband light emitted from the plasma.

Abstract: A laser-sustained plasma (LSP) light source with vortex gas flow is disclosed. The LSP source includes a gas containment structure for containing a gas, one or more gas inlets configured to flow gas into the gas containment structure, and one or more gas outlets configured to flow gas out of the gas containment structure. The one or more gas inlets and the one or more gas outlets are arranged to generate a vortex gas flow within the gas containment structure. The LSP source also includes a laser pump source configured to generate an optical pump to sustain a plasma in a region of the gas containment structure within an inner gas flow within the vortex gas flow. The LSP source includes a light collector element configured to collect at least a portion of broadband light emitted from the plasma.

Abstract: A method for producing a protective buffer flow in an EUV light source and an EUV mask inspection apparatus are provided. The method includes directing light along a light path from the EUV light source toward a collector. A first buffer gas from a buffer gas injector is injected through a plurality of through holes in the collector. The first buffer gas is directed away from a surface of the collector. A second buffer gas is injected from a ring manifold arranged peripherally to the collector and arranged a first distance toward the light path in relation to the collector. The second buffer gas is directed away from the surface of the collector. The first distance corresponds to a distance from the collector where the first buffer gas merges into a single flow.

Abstract: A broadband light source is disclosed. The broadband light source includes a rotatable gas containment structure. The broadband light source includes a rotational drive system configured to rotate the rotatable gas containment structure about the horizontal axis of rotation of the rotatable gas containment structure. The broadband light source includes a pump source configured to generate pump illumination and a reflector element configured to direct a portion of the pump illumination into the gas to sustain a plasma. The reflector is configured to collect a portion of broadband light emitted from the plasma.

Abstract: A plasma lamp for use in a laser-sustained plasma (LSP) light source is disclosed. The plasma lamp includes a gas containment structure for containing a gas, a gas seal positioned at a base of the gas containment structure, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The plasma lamp includes a gas swirler including a set of nozzles configured to generate a vortex gas flow and a swirler shaft including an inlet channel for delivering the gas from the gas inlet to the nozzles and an outlet channel for delivering the gas from the gas containment structure to the gas outlet. The plasma lamp includes a distributor including one or more plenums to distribute the gas from the gas inlet into the swirler. The plasma lamp may also include a deflector fluidically coupled to the swirler shaft and extending above the set of nozzles and configured to direct gas flow around the swirler.

Abstract: A laser-sustained plasma (LSP) light source with reverse vortex flow is disclosed. The LSP source includes gas cell including a gas containment structure including a body, neck, and shaft. The gas cell includes one or more gas delivery lines for delivery gas to one or more nozzles positioned in or below the neck of the gas containment structure. The gas cell includes one or more gas inlets and one or more gas outlets arranged to generate a reverse vortex flow within the gas containment structure of the gas cell. The LSP source also includes a laser pump source configured to generate an optical pump to sustain a plasma in a region of the gas containment structure. The LSP source includes a light collector element configured to collect at least a portion of broadband light emitted from the plasma.

Abstract: A method for producing a protective buffer flow in an EUV light source and an EUV mask inspection apparatus are provided. The method includes directing light along a light path from the EUV light source toward a collector. A first buffer gas from a buffer gas injector is injected through a plurality of through holes in the collector. The first buffer gas is directed away from a surface of the collector. A second buffer gas is injected from a ring manifold arranged peripherally to the collector and arranged a first distance toward the light path in relation to the collector. The second buffer gas is directed away from the surface of the collector. The first distance corresponds to a distance from the collector where the first buffer gas merges into a single flow.

Abstract: A laser-sustained plasma (LSP) light source with vortex gas flow is disclosed. The LSP source includes a gas containment structure for containing a gas, one or more gas inlets configured to flow gas into the gas containment structure, and one or more gas outlets configured to flow gas out of the gas containment structure. The one or more gas inlets and the one or more gas outlets are arranged to generate a vortex gas flow within the gas containment structure. The LSP source also includes a laser pump source configured to generate an optical pump to sustain a plasma in a region of the gas containment structure within an inner gas flow within the vortex gas flow. The LSP source includes a light collector element configured to collect at least a portion of broadband light emitted from the plasma.

Abstract: A broadband light source is disclosed. The broadband light source includes a rotatable gas containment structure. The broadband light source includes a rotational drive system configured to rotate the rotatable gas containment structure about the horizonal axis of rotation of the rotatable gas containment structure. The broadband light source includes a pump source configured to generate pump illumination and a reflector element configured to direct a portion of the pump illumination into the gas to sustain a plasma. The reflector is configured to collect a portion of broadband light emitted from the plasma.

Abstract: A combustor section is provided and includes one or more annular quaternary fuel manifolds mounted within an annular passage defined between a casing and a cap assembly of a combustor through which air and/or a fuel/air mixture flows upstream from a fuel nozzle support, the manifold including a body to accommodate quaternary fuel therein, the body defining injection holes through which the quaternary fuel is injected into a section of the passage at a location upstream from the fuel nozzle support.

Abstract: A combustor section is provided and includes one or more annular quaternary fuel manifolds mounted within an annular passage defined between a casing and a cap assembly of a combustor through which air and/or a fuel/air mixture flows upstream from a fuel nozzle support, the manifold including a body to accommodate quaternary fuel therein, the body defining injection holes through which the quaternary fuel is injected into a section of the passage at a location upstream from the fuel nozzle support.