Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photolithography system generates EUV light by irradiating droplets with a laser. The system includes a droplet generator with a nozzle and a piezoelectric structure coupled to the nozzle. The generator outputs groups of droplets. A control system applies a voltage waveform to the piezoelectric structure while the nozzle outputs the group of droplets. The waveform causes the droplets of the group to have a spread of velocities that results in the droplets coalescing into a single droplet prior to being irradiated by the laser.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a modularized vessel droplet generator assembly (MGDVA) including a droplet generator assembly (DGA). Under a normal operation, the liquid fuel moves along an operation pathway extending through the DGA to eject or discharge the liquid fuel (e.g., liquid tin) from a nozzle of the DGA into a vacuum chamber. The liquid fuel in the vacuum chamber is then exposed to a laser generating an extreme ultra-violet (EUV) light. Under a service operation, the operation pathway is closed and a service pathway extending through the DGA is opened. A gas is introduced into the service pathway forming a gas-liquid interface between the gas and the liquid fuel. The gas-liquid interface is driven to an isolation valve directly adjacent to the DGA. In other words, the gas pushes back the liquid fuel to the isolation valve. Once the gas-liquid interface reaches the isolation valve, the isolation valve is closed isolating the DGA from the liquid fuel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a modularized vessel droplet generator assembly (MGDVA) including a droplet generator assembly (DGA). Under a normal operation, the liquid fuel moves along an operation pathway extending through the DGA to eject or discharge the liquid fuel (e.g., liquid tin) from a nozzle of the DGA into a vacuum chamber. The liquid fuel in the vacuum chamber is then exposed to a laser generating an extreme ultra-violet (EUV) light. Under a service operation, the operation pathway is closed and a service pathway extending through the DGA is opened. A gas is introduced into the service pathway forming a gas-liquid interface between the gas and the liquid fuel. The gas-liquid interface is driven to an isolation valve directly adjacent to the DGA. In other words, the gas pushes back the liquid fuel to the isolation valve. Once the gas-liquid interface reaches the isolation valve, the isolation valve is closed isolating the DGA from the liquid fuel.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source includes, in an idle mode, inserting a borescope mounted on a fixture through a first opening into a chamber of the EUV radiation source. The borescope includes a connection cable attached at a first end to a camera. The EUV radiation source includes an excitation laser that generates a light beam that is configured to focus onto tin droplets to generate EUV radiation inside the chamber of the EUV radiation source. The method further includes extending the extendible section, in a direction toward the second opening of the EUV radiation source, to move the camera beyond the blocking shield, and acquiring one or more images from a region beyond the blocking shield. The method also includes analyzing the one or more acquired images to determine an amount of tin debris deposited inside the chamber of the EUV radiation source.

Abstract: A method for using an extreme ultraviolet radiation source is provided. The method includes performing a lithography process using an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source; after the lithography processes, inserting an extraction tube into a vessel of the EUV radiation source; and cleaning a collector of the EUV radiation source by using the extraction tube.

Abstract: In a method of inspecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source, during an idle mode, a borescope mounted on a fixture is inserted through a first opening into a chamber of the EUV radiation source. The borescope includes a connection cable attached at a first end to a camera. The fixture includes an extendible section mounted from a first side on a lead screw, and the camera of the borescope is mounted on a second side, opposite to the first side, of the extendible section. The extendible section is extended to move the camera inside the chamber of the EUV radiation source. One or more images are acquired by the camera from inside the chamber of the EUV radiation source at one or more viewing positions. The one or more acquired images are analyzed to determine an amount of tin debris deposited inside the chamber of the EUV radiation source.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a modularized vessel droplet generator assembly (MGDVA) including a droplet generator assembly (DGA). Under a normal operation, the liquid fuel moves along an operation pathway extending through the DGA to eject or discharge the liquid fuel (e.g., liquid tin) from a nozzle of the DGA into a vacuum chamber. The liquid fuel in the vacuum chamber is then exposed to a laser generating an extreme ultra-violet (EUV) light. Under a service operation, the operation pathway is closed and a service pathway extending through the DGA is opened. A gas is introduced into the service pathway forming a gas-liquid interface between the gas and the liquid fuel. The gas-liquid interface is driven to an isolation valve directly adjacent to the DGA. In other words, the gas pushes back the liquid fuel to the isolation valve. Once the gas-liquid interface reaches the isolation valve, the isolation valve is closed isolating the DGA from the liquid fuel.

Abstract: A transmission device includes a daisy chain structure composed of at least three daisy chain units arranged periodically and continuously. Each of the daisy chain units includes first, second and third conductive lines, and first and second conductive pillars. The first and second conductive lines at a first layer extend along a first direction and are discontinuously arranged. The third conductive line at a second layer extends along the first direction and is substantially parallel to the first and second conductive lines. The first conductive pillar extends in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. A first part of the first conductive pillar is connected to the first and third conductive lines. The second conductive pillar extends in the second direction. A first part of the second conductive pillar is connected to the second and third conductive lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a first electric integrated circuit component, a second integrated circuit component, and a first plasmonic bridge. The second electric integrated circuit component is aside the first electric integrated circuit component. The first plasmonic bridge is vertically overlapped with both the first electric integrated circuit component and the second electric integrated circuit component. The first plasmonic bridge includes a first plasmonic waveguide optically connecting the first electric integrated circuit component and the second electric integrated circuit component.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an interconnect structure, an insulating layer and a conductive layer. The interconnect structure includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The insulating layer contacts the interconnect structure. The insulating layer includes a third surface contacting the second surface of the interconnect structure and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface. The conductive layer is electrically coupled to the interconnect structure. The conductive layer has a continuous portion extending from the second surface to the fourth surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a first optical transceiver, a second optical transceiver, a third optical transceiver, and a plasmonic waveguide. The first optical transceiver, the second optical transceiver, and the third optical transceiver are stacked in sequential order. The first optical transceiver and the third optical transceiver respectively at least one optical input/output portion for transmitting and receiving an optical signal. The plasmonic waveguide includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment optically coupled to one another. The first segment is embedded in the first optical transceiver. The second segment extends through the second optical transceiver. The third segment is embedded in the third optical transceiver. The first segment is optically coupled to the at least one optical input/output portion of the first optical transceiver and the third segment is optically coupled to the at least one optical input/output portion of the third optical transceiver.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a photonic die and an optical die. The photonic die includes a grating coupler and an optical device. The optical device is connected to the grating coupler to receive radiation of predetermined wavelength incident on the grating coupler. The optical die is disposed over the photonic die and includes a substrate with optical nanostructures. Positions and shapes of the optical nanostructures are such to perform an optical transformation on the incident radiation of predetermined wavelength when the incident radiation passes through an area of the substrate where the optical nanostructures are located. The optical nanostructures overlie the grating coupler so that the incident radiation of predetermined wavelength crosses the optical die where the optical nanostructures are located before reaching the grating coupler.

Abstract: Impurities in a liquefied solid fuel utilized in a droplet generator of an extreme ultraviolet photolithography system are removed from vessels containing the liquefied solid fuel. Removal of the impurities increases the stability and predictability of droplet formation which positively impacts wafer yield and droplet generator lifetime.

Abstract: Impurities in a liquefied solid fuel utilized in a droplet generator of an extreme ultraviolet photolithography system are removed from vessels containing the liquefied solid fuel. Removal of the impurities increases the stability and predictability of droplet formation which positively impacts wafer yield and droplet generator lifetime.

Abstract: A semiconductor die, a semiconductor package and manufacturing methods thereof are provided. The semiconductor die includes: a front-end-of-line (FEOL) structure, built on a semiconductor substrate; a back-end-of-line (BEOL) structure, formed on the FEOL structure, and including a stack of metallization layers; and bonding metals, disposed on the BEOL structure. The bonding metals include: a conductive pad, disposed over the BEOL structure, and electrically connected to the metallization layers in the BEOL structure; a conductive capping layer, lining along a top surface of the conductive pad; and an engaging feature, landing on the conductive capping layer and separated from the conductive pad by the conductive capping layer. The semiconductor die is bonded to another semiconductor die or a package component by the engaging feature.

Abstract: In order to prevent long down-time that occurs with unexpected material depletion, an Inline Tin Stream Monitor (ITSM) system precisely measures the tin amount introduced by an in-line refill system and precisely estimates remaining runtime by measuring pressure level changes before and after in-line refill.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a photonic die and an optical die. The photonic die includes a grating coupler and an optical device. The optical device is connected to the grating coupler to receive radiation of predetermined wavelength incident on the grating coupler. The optical die is disposed over the photonic die and includes a substrate with optical nanostructures. Positions and shapes of the optical nanostructures are such to perform an optical transformation on the incident radiation of predetermined wavelength when the incident radiation passes through an area of the substrate where the optical nanostructures are located. The optical nanostructures overlie the grating coupler so that the incident radiation of predetermined wavelength crosses the optical die where the optical nanostructures are located before reaching the grating coupler.