Patent ID: 6327290
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: B23K,G01J,G03F,H01S

Abstract:
A laser system including a VUV laser emitting at a wavelength of less than 200 nm for generating and delivering a VUV laser beam to a workpiece, comprising:a discharge chamber filled with a laser active medium;a plurality of electrodes coupled with a power supply circuit for producing a pulsed discharge to energize the laser active medium;a resonator including the discharge chamber for generating said VUV laser beam having a wavelength less than 200 nm; andan enclosure separating at least a portion of the beam path exiting the laser from the outer atmosphere and having a plurality of ports for evacuating the enclosure and flowing an inert gas within said enclosure after evacuating said enclosure to enable the laser beam to propagate along said beam path, such that the energy of the beam can reach the workpiece without substantial attenuation due to the presence of photoabsorbing species along said beam path; anda window sealing the enclosure, wherein the window is substantially transparent at said emission wavelength less than 200 nm to allow the beam to exit the enclosure, while preventing contaminants generated within the enclosure from exiting the enclosure and contaminating surfaces outside of the enclosure.