Patent ID: 6644324
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B08B,B82Y,G03F,H01J,H01S

Abstract:
A method of passivating a laser discharge chamber prior to laser operation, comprising:A) forming a fluorine based plasma from one or more first gases, said first gases comprising a fluorine containing gas; B) flowing said first gases into a plasma source external to said laser discharge chamber prior to the assembly of the chamber into the laser, said fluorine containing gas flowing at a flow rate in excess of about 5 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm); C) applying a radio frequency signal to said first gases to form said fluorine based plasma in said plasma source; D) flowing said fluorine based plasma into said laser discharge chamber; and E) reacting said fluorine-based plasma with internal surfaces of said laser discharge chamber to passivate said internal surfaces.