WO1997036352A1 - Laser a gaz - Google Patents
Laser a gaz Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997036352A1 WO1997036352A1 PCT/JP1997/000845 JP9700845W WO9736352A1 WO 1997036352 A1 WO1997036352 A1 WO 1997036352A1 JP 9700845 W JP9700845 W JP 9700845W WO 9736352 A1 WO9736352 A1 WO 9736352A1
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- Prior art keywords
- gas
- laser
- impurity
- chamber
- valve
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
- H01S3/02—Constructional details
- H01S3/04—Arrangements for thermal management
- H01S3/041—Arrangements for thermal management for gas lasers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
- H01S3/02—Constructional details
- H01S3/03—Constructional details of gas laser discharge tubes
- H01S3/036—Means for obtaining or maintaining the desired gas pressure within the tube, e.g. by gettering, replenishing; Means for circulating the gas, e.g. for equalising the pressure within the tube
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a gas laser device used as a light source for material processing, material modification, projection exposure, and the like, and particularly to an excimer laser device.
- Gas laser devices are used as light sources for material addition, such as marking, drilling, cutting, and modifying materials on products.
- rare gas halogen excimer laser devices that generate strong laser light in the ultraviolet region utilize their characteristics to mark organic substances, perform abrasion processing, fine processing into general materials, surface modification, and photochemical reactions. And so on.
- rare gas halogen excimer laser devices are also used in the manufacturing process of semiconductor products. For example, they are used as light sources for projection exposure equipment used in one photolithography process for forming high-density circuit patterns on semiconductors. I have.
- the fluorine excimer laser device which is similar in structure to the rare gas halogen excimer laser device and generates ultraviolet light with a shorter wavelength than the rare gas halogen excimer laser device, is also a rare gas halogen excimer laser device as described above. It is expected to be used in the same fields as single-user devices.
- the rare gas halogen excimer laser device and the fluorine excimer laser device are collectively referred to as an excimer laser device.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional typical discharge excitation type gas laser device, which will be described with reference to FIG.
- the laser chamber 1 is a laser medium gas container that oscillates laser light, and is filled with a laser medium gas (hereinafter, referred to as a laser gas).
- a main discharge electrode 2 for generating a glow discharge to excite the laser gas and a preionization discharge for generating a main discharge electrode 2 are provided in the main discharge space.
- a preliminary ionization electrode 3 for generating initial electrons.
- a high-voltage pulse power supply 4 for supplying discharge energy to the main discharge electrode 2 and the preliminary ionization electrode 3 is provided outside the laser chamber 1.
- a capacitor for accumulating discharge energy is provided inside the high-voltage pulse power supply 4, and the discharge energy is controlled by controlling a charging voltage to the capacitor.
- the laser gas for example, in the case of a carbon dioxide gas laser, a mixed gas of carbon dioxide gas, helium, and nitrogen gas is used.
- fluorine, krypton, and a buffer gas are used.
- a mixed gas of fluorine, argon, and a buffer gas is used.
- a component gas having a relatively high reactivity adheres to and reacts with the inner surface of the laser chamber 1 and the surfaces of the fan 7 and the heat exchanger 8. Further, this component gas also adsorbs and reacts on the surface of the metal particles generated by sputtering of the electrode material during discharge excitation. Because of this, the concentration of this relatively reactive component gas decreases over time. In addition, as time passes, moisture present in the laser chamber 1, hydrogen atoms occluded by a metal, and hydrogen atoms of a polymer compound such as a sealing material and a lubricant used in the laser chamber 1 are removed. The component gas reacts to generate impurity gas, and the impurity gas concentration in the laser gas increases.
- a fluorine gas adheres to and reacts with the inner surface of the laser chamber 1 and the surfaces of the fan 7 and the heat exchanger 8. Further, this component gas also adsorbs and reacts on the surface of the metal particles generated by sputtering of the electrode material during discharge excitation. Because of
- the laser output power decreases.
- the component gas in the laser gas is appropriately injected to control the gas concentration so that the laser output power is constant, or the high-voltage pulse is used to increase the input energy for excitation. It controls the charging voltage of the power supply 4.
- the laser gas in a state in which the control of the laser output power has been limited is hereinafter referred to as “used laser gas”. Then, when the control of the laser output power approaches the limit, the laser gas is generally exchanged.
- the laser gas exchange procedure is, for example, as follows.
- a predetermined amount of fresh laser gas is supplied from a laser gas supply means such as a laser gas cylinder (not shown). Injected into one.
- the output power can be controlled, and a constant output can be expected. However, when all used laser gas is replaced with fresh laser gas, the power that laser output power is expected to recover to a high level from the beginning of laser oscillation immediately after gas replacement is actually used immediately after laser gas replacement.
- the phenomenon that the laser output power of the laser decreases. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in excimer laser devices, and is particularly noticeable in ArF excimer laser devices and fluorine excimer laser devices.
- Fig. 16 shows the time course of the laser output power immediately after laser gas exchange.
- the excitation energy is constant, and no control is performed to keep the output power constant, such as the injection of component gases.
- the output power starts from a low value, gradually increases, and tends to reach a steady value after a predetermined time.
- the output power immediately after the laser gas exchange is very low, there arises a problem that a predetermined rated output power cannot be output even if the excitation energy is increased to the upper limit.
- the reasons for the effects have not been known until now. Several approaches have been taken, as shown below.
- the first method is to leave laser oscillation for about 10 minutes to 1 hour after laser gas exchange without performing laser oscillation.
- a predetermined rated output power is obtained from the beginning of oscillation.
- the second method laser oscillation is performed for several minutes to 30 minutes after laser gas exchange.
- a predetermined rated output power can be obtained earlier than the method (1).
- the temperature of the laser gas is increased, for example, to 30 to 40 degrees. Also in this case, a predetermined rated output power can be obtained earlier than in the first method.
- the time is shorter than in the first method, but the downtime of the laser device is increased, so that a reduction in production efficiency due to the laser device is inevitable. Further, energy consumed by laser oscillation for recovery of output power is not directly linked to production, so it is not preferable from the viewpoint of energy saving, and also shortens the life of the laser device and laser gas.
- a first aspect of the present invention is a gas laser device that oscillates a laser beam for a predetermined number of pulses or more and exchanges a laser gas in a used laser chamber in which a laser output power cannot be controlled with a fresh laser gas.
- the apparatus is provided with a gas remaining means for allowing a part of the used laser gas to remain in the fresh laser gas after replacement.
- a second aspect of the present invention is that the concentration of the used laser gas is in a range from 1.5% or more to 60% or less in the replaced laser gas.
- the laser output power does not decrease from the beginning of the oscillation immediately after the gas exchange and becomes more stable. Oscillation becomes possible.
- a third aspect of the present invention is a gas exhaust control mechanism that controls the gas exhaust so that a predetermined amount of used laser gas remains in the laser chamber during laser gas replacement.
- This gas exhaust control mechanism causes laser oscillation by a laser gas that is a mixture of gas remaining in the laser chamber and freshly injected fresh laser gas, so that the laser output power does not decrease from the beginning of oscillation immediately after gas exchange. Oscillation is enabled. Therefore, the production efficiency is improved without lowering the operation rate of the gas laser device.
- the gas residual means is provided in a laser chamber, and after taking in and using a used laser gas from the laser chamber, injecting a predetermined amount of the stored used laser gas into the laser chamber. It is a storage container.
- the used amount injected into the laser chamber by this laser gas storage container Since the laser is oscillated by the laser gas mixed with the laser gas and freshly injected fresh laser gas, the laser can be oscillated without decreasing the laser output power from the beginning of the oscillation immediately after the gas exchange. Therefore, the production efficiency is improved without lowering the operation rate of the gas laser device.
- the gas exhaust control mechanism includes: a pressure sensor that detects a gas pressure in the laser chamber; a valve that exhausts a used laser gas in the laser chamber; and a detection signal of the pressure sensor. And a controller for outputting a drive command to the valve so that a predetermined amount of used laser gas remains in the laser chamber.
- the controller controls the gas exhaust based on the detected gas pressure value, a predetermined amount of the used laser gas can be accurately left in the laser chamber, and the oscillation can be started immediately after the gas exchange. Oscillation can be performed from the beginning without lowering the laser output power.
- the gas exhaust control mechanism measures a valve for exhausting a used laser gas in the laser chamber, and a gas exhaust time from the start of the laser gas exhaust, and based on the gas exhaust time.
- a controller for outputting a drive command to the valve so that a predetermined amount of used laser gas remains in the laser chamber.
- the gas exhaust control mechanism exhausts the used laser gas when the gas pressure in the laser chamber is higher than a predetermined value, and stops the exhaust when the gas pressure becomes lower than the predetermined value.
- Pressure control valve exhausts the used laser gas when the gas pressure in the laser chamber is higher than a predetermined value, and stops the exhaust when the gas pressure becomes lower than the predetermined value.
- the pressure control valve exhausts the used laser gas so that the gas pressure in the laser chamber becomes a predetermined value, so that a predetermined amount of the used laser gas can be accurately left, and immediately after the gas exchange. Laser output power from the beginning of Oscillation can be performed without lowering the size.
- An eighth aspect of the present invention is a gas laser device that oscillates a laser beam for a predetermined number of pulses or more and exchanges a laser gas in a used laser chamber in which a laser output power cannot be controlled with a fresh laser gas.
- the apparatus is provided with an impurity gas adding means for adding a predetermined amount of impurity gas to the fresh laser gas after replacement.
- the impurity gas adding means As described above, a predetermined amount of impurity gas is added to fresh laser gas by the impurity gas adding means, and laser oscillation is performed by the mixed laser gas. Therefore, the laser output power is reliably reduced from the beginning of the oscillation immediately after gas exchange. Oscillation can be performed without this. Accordingly, the production efficiency is improved without lowering the operation rate of the gas laser device.
- a ninth aspect of the present invention is the laser gas cylinder, wherein the impurity gas adding means is filled with a laser gas to which a predetermined concentration of impurity gas has been added.
- the impurity gas adding means includes: an impurity gas container storing the impurity gas; and a valve for opening and closing the injection of the impurity gas into the laser chamber of the impurity gas container. And a controller for outputting a drive command to the valve so that a predetermined amount of impurity gas is added to the fresh laser gas.
- the controller controls the amount of the impurity gas injected from the impurity gas container into the laser chamber, and a predetermined amount of the impurity gas is added to the fresh laser gas. Since the laser is oscillated by the mixed laser gas, it is possible to oscillate without lowering the laser output power from the beginning of the oscillation immediately after the gas exchange.
- the impurity gas adding means includes: an impurity gas generator that generates an impurity gas; a valve that opens and closes the injection of the impurity gas into the laser chamber of the impurity gas generator; Add a certain amount of impurity gas to fresh laser gas. And a controller for outputting a drive command to the valve.
- the controller controls the amount of impurity gas injected from the impurity gas generator into the laser chamber, and a predetermined amount of impurity gas is added to fresh laser gas. Since the laser is oscillated by the mixed laser gas, it is possible to oscillate without lowering the laser output power from the beginning of the oscillation immediately after the gas exchange.
- the first 2 of the present invention the impurity gas, hydrogen fluoride (HF), carbon tetrafluoride (CF,) or composed of at least one gas of oxygen ( ⁇ 2).
- FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of a gas laser device according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the gas laser device according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart of laser gas remaining processing according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart of laser gas remaining processing according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a chart of laser gas pressure and evacuation time for explaining FIG.
- FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a gas laser device according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart of laser gas remaining processing according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a gas laser device according to the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart for laser gas residual processing according to the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a gas laser device according to the fifth embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an impurity gas addition process according to the fifth embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a gas laser device according to the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an impurity gas addition process according to the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a gas laser device according to the seventh embodiment.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a gas laser device according to the related art.
- FIG. 16 is a chart showing the time course immediately after laser gas exchange of laser output power for explaining the prior art.
- FIGS. 17A and 17B are charts showing the transition of the output power and the charging voltage over time showing the effect of the present invention.
- the reason for the effect of this countermeasure was unknown.
- the present inventors have clarified that the reason is the impurity gas concentration in the laser gas.
- impurity gas in the laser gas is strong enough to cause a reduction in laser output power.
- an excimer laser device there is an optimum impurity gas concentration for the laser output power. There was found. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in excimer laser devices, particularly in ArF excimer laser devices and fluorine excimer laser devices.
- the output is recovered by leaving the laser without laser oscillation for about 10 minutes to 1 hour after the laser gas exchange in the first method, because the reactive gas in the laser chamber 1 reacts with halogen gas etc. during this time. This is because the impurity gas concentration approaches the optimum value.
- the output is recovered by raising the temperature of the laser gas to 30 to 40 degrees in the third method because the reaction rate of impurity gas generation in the laser chamber 1 has a positive temperature dependence. This makes it possible to bring the impurity gas concentration closer to the optimum value more quickly.
- the output is recovered by performing laser oscillation for several minutes to 30 minutes after the laser gas exchange of the second method, because the temperature of the laser gas increases due to the discharge excitation energy at the time of this oscillation, so that It is considered that the impurity gas concentration can be approximated to the optimum value.
- the present invention has been made by focusing on this point, and the gas laser device according to the present invention is provided with a gas remaining means or an impurity gas adding means. That is, gas residue When replacing the laser gas by conventional means, a part of the used laser gas is left in the fresh laser gas after replacement, or a predetermined amount of impurity gas is added to the fresh laser gas by the impurity gas adding means. I am trying to do it.
- FIGS. 17A and 17B The effect of the present invention is shown by a solid line in FIGS. 17A and 17B, and the impurity in the case where the charging voltage for discharge excitation of the high-voltage pulse power supply 4 is controlled so as to keep the laser output power constant.
- the changes over time in the output power and the charging voltage with respect to the gas concentration are shown.
- the horizontal axis represents the number of laser oscillation pulses after laser gas exchange.
- the charging voltage reaches the upper limit value VMAX, and the output power P reaches the predetermined value. Can be obtained. Furthermore, as the concentration of the residual amount of used laser gas increases, the charging voltage required to keep the output power constant immediately after laser gas replacement decreases. As a result, a predetermined output power P (, can be obtained from the beginning of laser oscillation immediately after laser gas exchange. In addition, if the concentration of the residual amount of used laser gas is increased unnecessarily, the deterioration of the laser gas is accelerated. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 17B, the charging voltage required to keep the output power constant reaches the upper limit value early according to the number of oscillation pulses.
- the concentration of the remaining amount of the used laser gas is controlled to be within a predetermined range.
- Proposers of the present invention Found that the optimum impurity gas concentration for the laser output power was 10%, and confirmed that the laser output power was maximized at this time. Therefore, the most preferable range for controlling the impurity gas concentration is 5 to 40%, that is, the power ⁇ 1.5 to 60% even in the range of 1.5 to 60%. Obtainable.
- the dopant gas in this case, for example, hydrogen fluoride (HF), carbon tetrafluoride (CF.,) Or oxygen (0 2) of such is composed of at least one gas.
- HF hydrogen fluoride
- CF. carbon tetrafluoride
- oxygen (0 2) of such is composed of at least one gas.
- FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a gas laser device according to the present invention.
- a gas exhaust control mechanism 10 is connected to the laser chamber 1 directly or via a pipe, and the laser gas is exhausted by the gas exhaust control mechanism 10 when exchanging the laser gas.
- the laser gas supply means 31 to 33 and the like supply the laser gas into the laser chamber 1 and generally include a gas cylinder filled with the laser gas, a laser gas generator, and the like.
- buffer gas supply means 31 for supplying a buffer gas of neon or helium
- argon supply means 32 for supplying a mixed gas of argon and neon
- fluorine and A fluorine supply means 33 for supplying a mixed gas of neon.
- FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a gas laser device representing the first embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.
- a valve 16 is provided at the connection between the laser chamber 1 and the pipe 37, and the pipe 19 branched from the pipe 37 is connected to the exhaust pump 15 via the valve 13 and the trap 14.
- the exhaust pump 15 suctions and exhausts the laser gas in the laser chamber 1 when exchanging the laser gas, and a filter or the like containing activated carbon for removing halogen gas is mounted inside the exhaust pump 15.
- the trap 14 is required when the present gas laser device is an excimer laser device, and adsorbs halogen gas in the laser gas exhausted by the exhaust pump 15. As a result, the exhaust gas is exhausted after halogen gas, which is harmful to the human body and adversely affects the filter of the exhaust pump 15 such as abnormal temperature rise, is removed.
- the laser chamber 1 is provided with a pressure sensor 12 for detecting an internal gas pressure.
- Each of the valves 13, 16 and 34 to 36 is constituted by a solenoid valve or an air-driven valve via a solenoid valve.
- the valve 16 may be a manual valve.
- the drive command for each of these valves ⁇ 3, 34-36 and the drive command for the exhaust pump 15 are output from the controller 11, and the detection signal of the pressure sensor 12 is connected to the controller 11. ing.
- the controller 11 is composed of, for example, a computer system mainly composed of a microcomputer. In addition to the above signals, the controller 11 receives a monitor signal for monitoring the laser output power and laser characteristics from a monitor device (not shown), or a command signal such as a gas exchange command from an external device (not shown).
- the controller 11 monitors the detection signal of the pressure sensor 12 when it determines that the laser gas needs to be replaced based on the monitor signal, or when a gas replacement command is input from an external device,
- the valves 13, 34-36 and the exhaust pump 15 are controlled to drive and start exchanging the laser gas.
- FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of the laser gas residual processing at the time of laser gas exchange of the controller 11, and the processing will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.
- the process flowchart is shown in a subroutine format, and will be described later. It is the same as above. Here, it is assumed that the valve 16 is open and the valves 13 and 34 to 36 are closed. In the following description, S is added to the step number of each process.
- a drive command is output to the exhaust pump 15 to start exhausting the laser gas.
- the evacuation time T from the start of evacuation is checked in S2, and the evacuation time T is compared with a predetermined time.
- the detection value P of the pressure sensor 12 is compared with the predetermined pressure value P; in S3. If the detected value P is larger than the predetermined pressure value P, as a result of this comparison, the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 is high, so that the processing of S4 to S5 is performed to protect the exhaust pump 15. Go and gradually exhaust the gas. That is, in S4, the valve 13 is opened for a predetermined time ⁇ , and the air is exhausted.
- the valve 13 is closed for a predetermined waiting time ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 2 , and then the process returns to S2 to S2 to S5. repeat.
- the valve 13 is opened for a predetermined time ⁇ , until the evacuation time T reaches the predetermined time T, or until the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined pressure value P, and the gas is exhausted. only 2 predetermined waiting time delta T after repeated the valve 1 3 closes operation.
- the valve 13 is opened in S6, and then the detected value ⁇ ⁇ and the predetermined pressure value ⁇ in S7.
- the process for waiting for a predetermined time in S9 may not be performed.
- the predetermined time ⁇ is greater than the predetermined time ⁇ . Then, the processing of S7 to S9 is repeated, and the valve 13 is opened until the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure value P—.
- the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined pressure value p 2 in S 7 closes the valve 1 3 S 1 0, then implementation of the laser gas introduction treatment carried out in SI 1 during normal laser gas exchange I do.
- each laser gas is set to a predetermined pressure value. It is possible by introducing it to the extent possible. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the return and ends.
- an abnormal signal is output, and the operator is notified of the abnormality by, for example, an alarm buzzer or a warning lamp, and an abnormal signal is also transmitted to an external device.
- the valves 13 and 34 to 36 are controlled to perform abnormal processing such as stopping the supply of the laser gas, stopping the exhaust, and stopping the laser device. After that, go to the end and end the process.
- the valves 13, 34 to 36 for exhaust are opened and closed based on the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1.
- a predetermined amount of the used laser gas in the laser chamber 1 is left.
- the remaining amount is accurately controlled.
- fresh laser gas is introduced into the laser chamber 1 and mixed.
- a predetermined concentration of impurity gas is included in the laser gas. Therefore, it is possible to oscillate without decreasing the laser output power from the beginning of the laser oscillation.
- FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of the laser gas residual treatment of the controller 11
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the pressure ⁇ of the laser gas in the laser chamber 1 and the evacuation time ⁇ ⁇ for explaining this flowchart. .
- a drive command is output to the exhaust pump 15 in S 21, and the exhaust of the laser gas in the laser chamber 1 is started.
- the exhaust time from the start of exhaust It was Chiyukku, comparing the evacuation times T and the predetermined time T 3.
- the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 is high, as shown in FIG. 5, S 2 3 ⁇ S 2 4 for the protection of the exhaust pump 1 5 And gradually exhaust the gas. That was evacuated by opening only valve 1 3 given in S 2 3 times, then with S 2 4 a predetermined waiting time .DELTA..tau 2 after closing the valve 1 3, S 2 2 ⁇ S back to S 2 2 Repeat up to 24.
- the predetermined time ⁇ : is set to the maximum exhaust time ⁇ ⁇ for the pressure ⁇ in the laser chamber 1 to reach the predetermined pressure value ⁇ :, which can protect the exhaust pump 15.
- an abnormal signal is output, and the operator is notified of the abnormality by, for example, an alarm buzzer or a warning lamp, and an abnormal signal is also transmitted to an external device.
- the valves 13 and 34 to 36 are controlled to perform abnormal processing such as stopping the supply of the laser gas, stopping the exhaust, and stopping the laser device, and then proceeds to the end and ends the processing.
- FIG. 6 shows a configuration in the present embodiment.
- the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
- a pressure control valve 17 and a valve 18 are provided in parallel.
- the pressure control valve 17 exhausts the gas when the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined set pressure value, and stops the exhaust when the gas pressure reaches the predetermined set pressure value.
- This set pressure value is either one that can be arbitrarily set by the controller 11 or one that is a predetermined fixed value.
- FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of the laser gas residual processing of the controller 11 of the present embodiment, which will be described below with reference to FIG.
- the valve 16 is in an open state, and the valves 13, 18, and 34 to 36 are in a closed state.
- a drive command is output to the exhaust pump 15 to start exhausting the laser gas in the laser chamber 1.
- the process waits for a predetermined waiting time ⁇ ., In S43.
- the laser gas is exhausted through the pressure control valve 17.
- the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 becomes a predetermined pressure value set in the pressure control valve 17.
- a normal laser gas introduction process is performed in S45. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the return and the process ends.
- the processing of S2 to S5 in FIG. 3 or the processing of S22 to FIG. 25 in FIG. 4 is inserted between S41 and S42.
- the gas may be evacuated gradually until the pressure P in the laser chamber 1 reaches a predetermined pressure value that can protect the exhaust pump 15 even if the gas is continuously evacuated.
- the used laser gas in the laser chamber 1 is exhausted through the pressure control valve 17 when exchanging the laser gas, and the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 is set to the predetermined pressure set in the pressure control valve 17. Value.
- the used laser gas having a concentration proportional to the predetermined pressure value remains in the laser chamber 1, so that the remaining amount can be accurately controlled.
- fresh laser gas is introduced into the laser chamber 1 and mixed.
- a predetermined concentration of impurity gas is included in the laser gas.
- the laser can be oscillated without decreasing the laser output power from the beginning of the laser oscillation.
- FIG. 8 shows the configuration of this embodiment, and the same components as those in FIG.
- the pipe 37 is connected to the input / output unit of the laser gas storage container 21 via the valve 22, and the other input / output unit of the laser gas storage container 21 is connected to the valve 13 and the trap 14 via the valve 23.
- the valves 22 and 23 are, like other valves, constituted by solenoid valves or air-driven valves via solenoid valves, and the drive signals of the valves 22 and 23 are connected to the controller 11. Note that the two input / output units of the laser gas storage container 21 may be common.
- FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of the laser gas remaining process of the controller 11 of the present embodiment, which will be described below with reference to FIG.
- the valve 16 is open and the vanolebs 13, 22, 23, 34 to 36 are closed.
- a drive command is output to the exhaust pump 15 to start the exhaust operation.
- S 5 2 at predetermined time delta T " only after venting of the gas valve 2 3 drilled laser gas storage container 2 1, closing the valve 2 3.
- S 5 3 at a predetermined time delta T 6 Valve 2 2 is opened and the used laser gas in the laser chamber 1 is introduced into the laser gas storage container 2 1.
- the valve 22 is closed.
- the evacuation time ⁇ from the start of evacuation is checked in S54, and the evacuation time is checked. ⁇ is compared with the predetermined time,, If the exhaust time ⁇ is less than or equal to the predetermined time,, the detected value ⁇ of the pressure sensor 12 is compared with the predetermined pressure value in S55.
- the valve 13 is opened in S58, and then the above detection value ⁇ is determined in S59.
- the predetermined pressure value ⁇ Is a pressure value at which the inside of the laser chamber 1 is in a substantially vacuum state and it can be determined that the evacuation is completed, and is smaller than a predetermined pressure value ,,.
- the detected value ⁇ is the specified pressure value ⁇ .
- the exhaust time ⁇ is compared with the predetermined time ⁇ , at S 60, and if the exhaust time ⁇ is less than or equal to the predetermined time ⁇ “, the process proceeds to S 61 and waits for the predetermined time. Returning to step 9. Note that there is no need to wait for the predetermined time ⁇ in S61 1.
- the predetermined time ⁇ 5 is the maximum time required to complete the exhaust of the laser gas. Then, the processing of S59 to S61 is repeated, and the valve 13 is opened until the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined pressure value ⁇ . When the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 falls below the predetermined pressure value ⁇ ", Close valves 1 and 3.
- valve 2 2 S 6 3 opened used laser gas, single Zagasu storage container 2 in 1 in the laser chamber i, thereafter closing the valve 2 2. Then, comparing the detected value P with S 6 4 with a predetermined pressure value P 2, the result of the comparison, when the detected value P is less than the predetermined pressure value P 2 is repeated connection processing returns to S 6 3.
- the detected value P becomes equal to or more than the predetermined pressure value ⁇ in S64, normal laser gas introduction processing is performed in S65. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the return and the process ends.
- the gas pressure is a predetermined pressure value P.
- the laser chamber 1 be given time 1% has elapsed If not below, it is determined that there is a possibility that something is wrong with the exhaust control, and the process proceeds to S66. Further, also in S54, when the evacuation time T becomes longer than the predetermined time, it means that the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 has not become lower than the predetermined pressure value P, even after the predetermined time T, has elapsed. Similarly, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the exhaust control, and the process proceeds to S66.
- an abnormal signal is output, and the operator is notified of the abnormality by, for example, an alarm buzzer or a warning lamp, and an abnormal signal is also transmitted to an external device.
- each valve is controlled to perform an abnormal process such as a stop of laser gas supply, a stop of exhaust, and a stop of laser oscillation, and the process proceeds to an end to end the process.
- the used laser gas in the laser chamber 1 is evacuated during the laser gas exchange, the used laser gas is first taken from the laser chamber 1 and stored in the laser gas storage container 21, and then the laser chamber is used. The inside of 1 is evacuated to a substantially vacuum state. Next, a predetermined amount of the used laser gas stored in the laser gas storage container 21 is introduced into the laser chamber 1. At this time, gas introduction is controlled so that the gas pressure in the laser chamber 1 becomes a predetermined pressure value. Therefore, since the used laser gas having a concentration proportional to the predetermined pressure value is introduced into the laser chamber 1, the remaining amount of the used laser gas is accurately controlled. Thereafter, fresh laser gas is introduced into the laser chamber 1 and mixed. When the introduction of each laser gas is completed, a predetermined concentration of impurity gas is included in the laser gas. You. This makes it possible to oscillate without decreasing the laser output power from the beginning of the laser oscillation.
- This embodiment includes a means for adding an impurity gas to a laser gas at the time of laser gas exchange (hereinafter, referred to as an impurity gas adding means).
- FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the present embodiment.
- the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
- the laser gas supply means 41 to 43 supply the laser gas into the laser chamber i, and are often constituted by gas cylinders. In this embodiment, at least one of these laser gas supply means 41 to 43 contains impurity gas of a predetermined concentration as impurity gas addition means.
- FIG. 10 shows an example of an ArF excimer laser device.
- the buffer gas supply means 41 supplies a neon or helium buffer gas
- the argon supply means 42 supplies a mixed gas of argon and neon.
- a fluorine supply means 43 for supplying a mixed gas of fluorine and neon, and an impurity gas is added to at least one of the laser gas supply means 41 to 43.
- These gas supply means 41 to 43 are connected to valves 34, 35, and 36, respectively, and valves 34, 35, and 36 are further connected via piping 37 and valve 16. Connected to laser chamber 1.
- FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of an impurity gas addition process of the controller 11 in the gas laser device having such a configuration.
- the valve 16 is open and the valves 13 and 34 to 36 are closed.
- the same exhaust processing as the processing in S54 to S62 in FIG. 9 is performed.
- the valve 34 is opened for a predetermined time ⁇ ⁇ , and a buffer gas is introduced into the laser chamber 1 from the buffer gas supply means 41, and then the valve 34 is closed.
- the same detection value [rho is when less than a predetermined pressure value [rho 5 Te Modotsu to S 7 1 treatment repeat.
- the valve 35 is opened for a predetermined time ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ in A mixed gas of argon and neon is introduced into the chamber 1, and then the valve 35 is closed. Then, comparing the detected value P with a predetermined pressure value P "in S 7 4, results of the comparison, when the detected value P is less than the predetermined pressure value P 6 is repeated the same process returns to S 7 3 .
- the detected value P with S 7 4 exceeds a predetermined pressure value P "is fluorine from the fluorine supply means 4 3 open predetermined time between aT 1 U only valve 3 6 S 7 5 into the laser chamber 1 And a mixed gas of neon and gas, and then the valve 36 is closed.
- a predetermined concentration of impurity gas is added to the laser gas, and when the introduction of the laser gas into the laser chamber 1 is completed, the predetermined concentration of impurity gas is also included in the laser gas. Will be.
- the laser can be oscillated without decreasing the laser output power from the beginning of the laser oscillation.
- an impurity gas container 44 is provided as an impurity gas adding means.
- FIG. 12 shows the configuration of this embodiment.
- the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
- the impurity gas container 4 4 is a container filled with an impurity gas, such as a bottle, and is connected to the valve 38.
- the valve 38 is connected to the laser chamber 1 via the pipe 37 and the valve 16. Have been.
- the drive signal of the valve 38 is connected to the controller 11.
- FIG. 13 shows a flow chart of the impurity gas addition processing of the controller 11 of the present embodiment, which will be described in detail below with reference to the same figure.
- the valve 16 is open and the valves 13, 34 to 36, 38 are closed.
- the impurity gas is guided into the laser chamber 1 until the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure value. After that, each laser gas is introduced into the laser chamber 1 until it reaches a predetermined pressure value. Thereby, the concentration of the impurity gas in the laser gas can be accurately controlled. Therefore, it becomes possible to oscillate without decreasing the laser output power from the beginning of the laser oscillation.
- an impurity gas generator 45 is provided as an impurity gas adding means.
- FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the present embodiment.
- the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
- the impurity gas generator 45 generates an impurity gas.
- the impurity gas generator 45 can generate a gas by a chemical reaction, or can generate the impurity gas by heating a substance containing the impurity.
- a substance that occludes this impurity there is, for example, a porous metal fluoride “NaF + LiF”.
- the impurity gas is occluded by the porous metal fluoride.
- the impurity gas occlusion substance is stored in the impurity gas generator 45, the amount of impurity gas generated can be controlled by controlling the heating temperature of the substance.
- the impurity gas generator 45 is connected to a valve 38.
- the method of introducing the impurity gas into the laser gas is performed, for example, in the same manner as in the flow chart of FIG. That is, the storage material of the impurity gas generator 45 is heated to a predetermined temperature to generate an impurity gas of a predetermined pressure in the impurity gas generator 45.
- the valve 3 8 is opened for a predetermined time ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ , and the impurity gas generator 45 opens the laser chamber 1 Impurity gas is introduced into the chamber, and then valve 38 is closed. Then, the process of introducing the impurity gas is repeated until the pressure P in the laser chamber 1 reaches a predetermined pressure value P ⁇ .
- the amount of impurity gas can be introduced by controlling the heating temperature of the occlusion substance instead of controlling the opening and closing of the valve 38 described above.
- the inside of the laser chamber 1 can be adjusted. It may be introduced until the pressure P reaches the predetermined pressure value PH.
- a normal laser gas introduction processing is executed in S83, and thereafter, the processing ends with a return.
- the impurity gas is introduced into the laser chamber 1 until a predetermined pressure value is reached, and then each laser gas is introduced into the laser chamber 1 until the respective pressure gas reaches the predetermined pressure value. go.
- the concentration of the impurity gas in the laser gas can be accurately controlled. Therefore, the laser can be oscillated without decreasing the laser output power from the beginning of the laser oscillation.
- the present invention is useful as a gas laser device such as an excimer laser device that can obtain a predetermined high laser output power from the beginning of laser oscillation immediately after laser gas exchange.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Lasers (AREA)
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/155,184 US6151350A (en) | 1996-03-22 | 1997-03-17 | Gas laser |
KR1019980707516A KR100289097B1 (ko) | 1996-03-22 | 1997-03-17 | 가스레이저 장치 |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP8/93179 | 1996-03-22 | ||
JP8093179A JPH09260749A (ja) | 1996-03-22 | 1996-03-22 | ガスレーザ装置 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1997036352A1 true WO1997036352A1 (fr) | 1997-10-02 |
Family
ID=14075361
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP1997/000845 WO1997036352A1 (fr) | 1996-03-22 | 1997-03-17 | Laser a gaz |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6151350A (ja) |
JP (1) | JPH09260749A (ja) |
KR (1) | KR100289097B1 (ja) |
TW (1) | TW343395B (ja) |
WO (1) | WO1997036352A1 (ja) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0987487A1 (de) * | 1998-09-16 | 2000-03-22 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Block zur Entspannung und Mischung von Gasen |
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US5982800A (en) * | 1997-04-23 | 1999-11-09 | Cymer, Inc. | Narrow band excimer laser |
US6330261B1 (en) | 1997-07-18 | 2001-12-11 | Cymer, Inc. | Reliable, modular, production quality narrow-band high rep rate ArF excimer laser |
US6490307B1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2002-12-03 | Lambda Physik Ag | Method and procedure to automatically stabilize excimer laser output parameters |
US6778584B1 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2004-08-17 | Cymer, Inc. | High power gas discharge laser with helium purged line narrowing unit |
US6389052B2 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2002-05-14 | Lambda Physik Ag | Laser gas replenishment method |
US6714577B1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2004-03-30 | Lambda Physik Ag | Energy stabilized gas discharge laser |
US6609540B1 (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 2003-08-26 | Showa Denko Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and apparatus for supplying fluorine gas |
JP2001024265A (ja) * | 1999-07-05 | 2001-01-26 | Komatsu Ltd | 超狭帯域化フッ素レーザ装置 |
US6504860B2 (en) * | 2001-01-29 | 2003-01-07 | Cymer, Inc. | Purge monitoring system for gas discharge laser |
JP3985416B2 (ja) * | 2000-03-02 | 2007-10-03 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | ガスレーザ発振装置 |
KR100434850B1 (ko) * | 2001-02-16 | 2004-06-07 | (주)우리랑월드 | 머드 게임을 위한 전자 상거래 서비스 방법 및 장치 |
US6768765B1 (en) * | 2001-06-07 | 2004-07-27 | Lambda Physik Ag | High power excimer or molecular fluorine laser system |
JP2003042967A (ja) | 2001-07-27 | 2003-02-13 | Hitachi Ltd | パターン欠陥検査装置 |
US7830934B2 (en) | 2001-08-29 | 2010-11-09 | Cymer, Inc. | Multi-chamber gas discharge laser bandwidth control through discharge timing |
US7209507B2 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2007-04-24 | Cymer, Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling the output of a gas discharge MOPA laser system |
US6973112B2 (en) * | 2003-07-31 | 2005-12-06 | Visx, Incorporated | Passive gas flow management and filtration device for use in an excimer or transverse discharge laser |
JP4650881B2 (ja) * | 2005-04-20 | 2011-03-16 | 株式会社小松製作所 | エキシマレーザ装置とレーザガス交換方法と部分ガス交換量演算方法 |
US20070030876A1 (en) * | 2005-08-05 | 2007-02-08 | Levatter Jeffrey I | Apparatus and method for purging and recharging excimer laser gases |
US7317179B2 (en) | 2005-10-28 | 2008-01-08 | Cymer, Inc. | Systems and methods to shape laser light as a homogeneous line beam for interaction with a film deposited on a substrate |
US7679029B2 (en) | 2005-10-28 | 2010-03-16 | Cymer, Inc. | Systems and methods to shape laser light as a line beam for interaction with a substrate having surface variations |
KR100696180B1 (ko) * | 2006-05-24 | 2007-03-20 | 박영순 | 미닫이창문용 걸림장치 |
US20080130701A1 (en) * | 2006-12-05 | 2008-06-05 | Asml Netherlands B.V. | Gas laser apparatus and method |
US20080219317A1 (en) * | 2007-03-06 | 2008-09-11 | Pettit George H | Gas-purged laser system and method thereof |
TW200903935A (en) * | 2007-03-27 | 2009-01-16 | Photomedex | Method and apparatus for efficiently operating a gas discharge excimer laser |
KR100936251B1 (ko) * | 2007-12-20 | 2010-01-12 | 주식회사 동부하이텍 | 레이저 가스 공급 시스템 |
US8873600B2 (en) * | 2011-06-30 | 2014-10-28 | Cymer, Llc | System and method for high accuracy gas refill in a two chamber gas discharge laser system |
JP6205603B2 (ja) * | 2012-11-26 | 2017-10-04 | 精電舎電子工業株式会社 | 炭酸ガスレーザ装置 |
CN104006294B (zh) * | 2013-02-27 | 2017-10-17 | 北京开天科技有限公司 | 一种轴快流激光器自混气供气系统 |
JP6322801B2 (ja) * | 2017-03-14 | 2018-05-16 | 精電舎電子工業株式会社 | 炭酸ガスレーザの励起媒質ガス、炭酸ガスレーザを用いたマーキング装置、炭酸ガスレーザ発生方法、炭酸ガスレーザを用いたマーキング方法、及び炭酸ガスレーザ光源 |
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GB8927209D0 (en) * | 1989-12-01 | 1990-01-31 | British Aerospace | Apparatus for controlling the composition of a laser gas or gas mixture |
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JPH06218587A (ja) * | 1993-01-25 | 1994-08-09 | Hitachi Tool Eng Ltd | 粉末成形用被覆金型 |
US5440578B1 (en) * | 1993-07-16 | 2000-10-24 | Cymer Inc | Gas replenishment method ad apparatus for excimer lasers |
JP2816813B2 (ja) * | 1994-04-12 | 1998-10-27 | 株式会社小松製作所 | エキシマレーザ装置 |
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1996
- 1996-03-22 JP JP8093179A patent/JPH09260749A/ja active Pending
-
1997
- 1997-01-23 TW TW086100816A patent/TW343395B/zh active
- 1997-03-17 WO PCT/JP1997/000845 patent/WO1997036352A1/ja active IP Right Grant
- 1997-03-17 US US09/155,184 patent/US6151350A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-03-17 KR KR1019980707516A patent/KR100289097B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
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JPS62118587A (ja) * | 1985-11-19 | 1987-05-29 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | 容器内の封入ガスの交換方法 |
JPH01100984A (ja) * | 1987-10-14 | 1989-04-19 | Nissin Electric Co Ltd | エキシマレーザ装置のガス充填方法 |
JPH04100285A (ja) * | 1990-08-20 | 1992-04-02 | Kawasaki Steel Corp | ガスレーザ装置のレーザ媒質ガス交換方法 |
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EP0987487A1 (de) * | 1998-09-16 | 2000-03-22 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Block zur Entspannung und Mischung von Gasen |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20000004940A (ko) | 2000-01-25 |
KR100289097B1 (ko) | 2001-09-22 |
TW343395B (en) | 1998-10-21 |
US6151350A (en) | 2000-11-21 |
JPH09260749A (ja) | 1997-10-03 |
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