Patent ID: 6167065
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An electrically powered apparatus for the generation of soft x-ray/extreme ultraviolet laser radiation, said apparatus comprising:(a) an excitation circuit having at least one transmission line comprising two or more electrically conducting structures separated by a liquid dielectric for providing a fast high current excitation pulse having a pulse width in the range of 1 nanosecond to 500 nanoseconds with 0.5 to 500 kiloamps;(b) a capillary structure having a capillary with a length to diameter ratio of 20 to 1000 for enclosing a selected lasing material, said excitation circuit being capable of generating a plasma volume within said capillary to produce a population inversion wherein said capillary structure contacts at least two electrodes;(c) a means to pre-ionize said selected lasing material in said capillary prior to the arrival of said fast high current excitation pulse;(d) a power source to apply a voltage of 2 kilovolts to 2 megavolts to one or more of said electrically conducting structures; and(e) a fast electrical switch for generating said fast high current excitation pulse having pulse width in a range of 1 ns to 500 ns for connecting said electrically conducting structures, thereby generating a high voltage drop across said capillary to achieve a high current pulse through said capillary.