Patent ID: 8648536
Filing Date: 2014-02-11
Classification: G03F,H05G

Abstract:
1. A plasma light source comprising: (a) a pair of coaxial electrodes that are arranged to face each other with respect to a symmetry plane, wherein each of the respective coaxial electrodes includes wherein the symmetry plane is perpendicular to the axis Z-Z; (b) a discharge-environment-maintaining device that maintains a plasma medium inside the coaxial electrodes at a temperature and a pressure appropriate for the generation of plasma; and (c) a voltage-applying device that applies discharge voltages having reversed polarities to the respective coaxial electrodes; wherein a tubular discharge is formed between the pair of coaxial electrodes so as to confine the plasma in an axial Z-Z direction, wherein the insulation member is formed of partially porous ceramics that include an insulative dense portion that does not permit the continuous permeation of the liquefied plasma medium and a porous portion that permits the continuous permeation of the liquefied plasma medium, and wherein the insulative dense portion includes a reservoir that holds the plasma medium therein, and by the porous portion, the inner surface of the reservoir communicates with the gap between the center electrode and the guide electrode, through the inside of the insulative dense portion.