Patent ID: 6285743
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: B82Y,G03F,G21K,H05G

Abstract:
A soft X-ray source comprising:a mirror having a focal point, the mirror being parabolic or ellipsoidal;a nozzle delivering a target material to a plasma generation point substantially coincident with the focal point; anda laser source delivering a pulsed laser beam to the plasma generation point,wherein a plasma is generated at the plasma generation point upon irradiation by the pulsed laser beam, the plasma emitting soft X-rays that are formed into X-ray beams by the mirror,wherein the X-ray beams are parallel if reflected from the parabolic mirror and converging if reflected from the ellipsoidal mirror, andwherein one of an axis of the nozzle and an axis of the pulsed laser beam is coaxial with an axis of the mirror.