Abstract:
A method and apparatus for generating membrane targets for a laser induced plasma is disclosed herein. Membranes are advantageous targets for laser induced plasma because they are very thin and can be readily illuminated by high-power coherent light, such as a laser, and converted into plasma. Membranes are also advantageous because illumination of the membrane with coherent light produces less debris and splashing than illumination of a thicker, solid target. Spherical membranes possess additional advantages in that they can be readily illuminated from variety of directions and because they can be easily placed (i.e. blown) into a target region for illumination by coherent light. Membranes are also advantageous because they can be formed from a liquid or molten phase of the target material. According to another embodiment, membranes can be formed from a solution in which the target materials are solvated. Membranes can be formed an a variety of ways, such as by rotating a circular apparatus through a reservoir of liquid target material such that membranes form across apertures that are disposed in the circular apparatus. Spherical membranes can also be formed by applying a gas (i.e. blowing) against a membrane formed in an aperture of a circular apparatus.

Description:
This application claims benefit of 60/437,647 filed Jan. 2, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND 
   Various methods and systems are known for generating short wavelength radiation. For example, x-rays may be generated by striking a target material with a form of energy such as an electron beam, a proton beam, or a light source such as a laser. Extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV) may also be generated in a similar manner. Various forms of short-wavelength radiation generating targets are known. These known systems and methods typically irradiate gases, liquids, frozen liquids, or solids to generate the short-wavelength radiation. Current systems that use either room temperature liquid or gas targets impose limitations on the type of chemical elements or materials that can be irradiated because many elements are not in the liquid or gaseous state at ambient pressure and temperature. Hence, the range of desired wavelengths achievable by either gas or liquid systems is also limited. 
   Solid materials provide a wide range of short-wavelength emissions currently unavailable in materials that are in a liquid or gaseous state at ambient temperature and pressure. One type of prior x-ray generation system uses solid blocks of material (e.g., copper) to generate laser plasma x-rays. In this system, a block of material remains stationary in the irradiation area while laser beam pulses repeatedly irradiate the block of material to produce plasma. The laser beam generates temperatures well over one million degrees Kelvin and pressures well over one million atmospheres on the surface of the material. These extreme temperatures and pressures cause ion ablation and send strong shocks into the solid material. Ion ablation from the surface of the target material at very high speeds and temperatures causes contamination within the radiation chamber as well as to other system equipment such as the radiation collection system and the optics associated with the laser. Thick solid targets induce shock waves that reflect back from the target surface and splash the x-ray chamber with target debris. Ion ablation and target debris decrease the efficiency of the system, increase replacement costs, and shorten the lifetime of the optical and laser equipment. 
   Another form of solid target material is a very thin tape of target material (e.g., copper (Cu) tape for 1 nm and tin (Sn) tape for 13.5 nm radiation). In these systems, a roll of target tape is dispensed at a predetermined rate while a laser beam pulse irradiates and heats the tape at a desired frequency. The fast ions ablated from the target surface are ejected away from the target. The plasma-generated shock wave breaks through the tape and ejects most of the target material at the back of the target where it can be collected. Thus, use of this tape target reduces ion contamination within the x-ray chamber when compared with solid blocks of target material. Unfortunately, the use of a thin tape target does not completely eliminate target debris at the laser focal point of the target tape. To eliminate or further reduce material contamination within the x-ray chamber, the radiation chamber is typically filled with an inert gas (e.g., helium) at atmospheric pressure. As target ions are ablated from the target material, helium atoms collide with the high-velocity ions, stopping the ions within a few centimeters from the target position. As the helium gas/ion mixture is re-circulated within the radiation chamber, filters trap the ions, recirculating only the helium gas at the completion of the filtration process. The use of thin tape targets and helium gas to stop ablated ions from contaminating the radiation chamber is described in more detail in Turcu, et al., High Power X-ray Point Source For Next Generation Lithography, Proc. SPIE, vol. 3767, pp. 21-32, (1999), incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. Unfortunately, significant amounts of target debris can still be produced in cooler portions of the laser beam. Moreover, this system does not provide mechanisms that deflect target debris away from optics, and other expensive equipment used in generating radiation. 
   Current systems and methods utilizing thin tape targets suffer additional disadvantages. The types of materials that are commercially available in thin tape form are extremely limited. Further, thin tape targets require a large tape-dispensing apparatus, which utilizes a significant amount of space within the x-ray chamber, substantially adding to the size and space requirements of such x-ray generators. Tape targets also require frequent reloading of new tape material, which disrupts the operation of the x-ray generator. For example, a reel of thin tape target material having a length of approximately one mile, with a reel diameter of approximately eight inches, typically needs to be replaced with a new reel of tape after a few days of continuous x-ray generation. 
   The ideal target for a laser-produced plasma should therefore possess the following characteristics. First, the target should be a thin disc with a diameter that matches the focal spot size of the laser beam. The disc should preferably be normal to the laser optical axis. Second, the thickness of the target disc should be minimized to ensure that the laser illuminates all of the target material and therefore formed into plasma. A thin target disc also minimizes ion ablation and shock wave dispersal of the target material. Third, a thin target disc allows more efficient targets to be used. For example, some materials, such as tin or copper, have relatively high conversion efficiencies. Fourth, by utilizing limited amounts of target material in the discs, the amount of debris generated during illumination can be minimized. 
   In view of this information, a need exists for a method and system that provides short wavelength radiation over a broad range (including x-rays and extreme ultraviolet), with minimum target debris and equipment contamination. There is also a need for short-wavelength radiation-generating targets that approximate a thin disc comprising the target material. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY 
   A method and apparatus for generating membrane targets for a laser-induced plasma is disclosed herein. Membranes are advantageous targets for laser induced plasma because they are very thin and can be readily illuminated by high-power coherent light, such as a laser, and converted into plasma. Membranes are also advantageous because illumination of the membrane with coherent light produces less debris and splashing than illumination of a thicker, solid target. Spherical membranes possess additional advantages in that they can be readily illuminated from variety of directions and because they can be easily placed (i.e., blown) into a target region for illumination by coherent light. Membranes are also advantageous because they can be formed from a liquid or molten phase of the target material. According to another embodiment, membranes can be formed from an inert solution in which the target materials are solvated. Membranes can be formed in a variety of ways, such as rotating a circular apparatus through a reservoir of liquid target material such that membranes form across apertures that are disposed in the circular apparatus. Spherical membranes can also be formed by applying a gas (i.e., blowing) against a membrane formed in an aperture of a circular apparatus. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an aperture in which a membrane target is formed and converted into plasma by irradiation by high-power coherent light. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a spherical aperture that can be converted into plasma by irradiation with high-power coherent light. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the process by which a spherical membrane can be formed. 
       FIG. 3A  is an illustration of an alternative apparatus for generating spherical membranes. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of one embodiment of a circular membrane apparatus that can be utilized to form spherical target membranes. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of one embodiment of a circular membrane apparatus that can be utilized to form target membranes, which can be directly illuminated with coherent light to form plasma. 
       FIG. 5A  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a membrane apparatus that forms a single target membrane, which can be directly illuminated with coherent light to form plasma. 
       FIG. 5B  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a membrane apparatus that forms target membranes in circular hoops that can be directly illuminated with coherent light to form plasma. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a circular membrane apparatus with a parabolic shield for catching short-wavelength radiation generated by a target plasma. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a circular membrane apparatus. 
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a circular membrane apparatus in which notches are used at the periphery of the disc to form membranes. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a circular membrane apparatus. 
       FIGS. 9-9C  are illustrations of several alternative apertures that can be implemented into the circular membrane apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A method and apparatus for generating membrane targets for laser-produced plasma are described and depicted below. As stated previously, it is desirable to utilize a target in the shape of a thin disc. Accordingly, a thin membrane comprising the desired substance may be utilized as an approximation of the thin disc, thereby providing a desirable target material. Alternatively, a spherical membrane may be used to approximate a thin disc. Spherical membranes possess the advantage that they may be illuminated with coherent light from more than one direction. These embodiments, as well as the devices used to produce them, are described in further detail below. 
   A cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a membrane apparatus for laser-produced plasma is depicted in FIG.  1 . In  FIG. 1 , a target membrane  105  is formed in an aperture in a membrane apparatus  110  and is held in place by virtue of the surface tension of the membrane material  105 . The membrane is illuminated with coherent light  115 , which is preferably focused onto a small spot on the membrane. When illuminated with the coherent light  115 , the membrane material  105  forms plasma that generates short wavelength radiation  120 . The precise wavelength of the short wavelength radiation  120  depends upon a variety of factors including the intensity, focal spot size, pulse duration, the wavelength and power of the coherent light  115 , and the material comprising the target membrane  105 . Accordingly, by modifying any of these factors, a wide range of short wavelength radiation may be generated. The short wavelength radiation may run the gamut from extreme ultraviolet (EUV) to X-rays. 
   The preferred thickness of the target membrane is in the range of about 0.1 μm to about 100 μm, depending on the laser parameters. In addition, the preferred target material for generating EUV comprises tin (Sn) or a solution comprising tin. One embodiment may utilize molten tin with good wetting properties to ensure that the molten tin has sufficient surface tension to form a membrane in the aperture. Other embodiments utilize a solution comprising a mixture of metallic compounds such as tin chloride (SnCl 2 ), zinc chloride (ZnCl), tin oxide (SnO 2 ), lithium (Li), a tin/lead mixture (Sn/Pb), and iodine (I), in a solvent such as water. Utilizing these solutions eliminates the requirement of maintaining the reservoir of target material above the melting point of a target material, such as tin (231° C.). In some applications, such as x-ray microscopy, softer x-rays (˜3-5 nm) are required. To provide radiation in this wavelength, carbon-based membrane targets are utilized. Examples of solutions comprising carbon-based microtargets include plastics, oils, and other fluid hydrocarbons. 
   An alternative embodiment of a membrane target is depicted in FIG.  2 . In  FIG. 2 , the target comprises a spherical membrane  205 , which is similar to a bubble. The spherical membrane  205  is illuminated with coherent light  210  at sufficient intensity to form plasma. The plasma thereby generates short wavelength radiation  215  at a desired specific wavelength. In a preferred embodiment, the spherical membrane  205  will encase a gas  220  that is preferably of a low atomic number. Although the gas  220  ideally comprises hydrogen, the reactivity of hydrogen gas makes it preferable to select inert gas, such as helium. Gasses with a lower atomic number are preferred because of their lower absorption of short-wavelength radiation  215 . 
   An embodiment for forming a spherical membrane is depicted in FIG.  3 . In  FIG. 3 , a membrane apparatus  305  is provided with an aperture  310  disposed in the apparatus  305 . The liquid target material  312  is provided on the surface of the membrane apparatus  305  and forms a membrane across the aperture  310  by virtue of the surface tension of the liquid target material  312 . To form the spherical membrane, a gas  315  is applied to the aperture  310  so that the membrane distends from the surface of the membrane apparatus  305 . A distending membrane  320  is depicted in FIG.  3 . As the gas  315  continues to be applied to the membrane apparatus  305 , the force applied by the gas  315  eventually overcomes the surface tension of the distending membrane  320  thereby causing a spherical membrane  325  to form. Initially, the membrane  325  will be aspherical as the perturbations resulting from detachment of the membrane disperse. After a brief period of time, however, the membrane forms a generally spherical shape  330 . 
   An alternative apparatus for forming a spherical membrane is depicted in FIG.  3 A. In  FIG. 3A , a membrane apparatus  350  is depicted as comprising two concentric tubes  355  and  360 . Tube  360  contains a liquid target material such as copper or tin. Tube  355  contains a gas such as helium. The gas and the liquid target material are provided to the end of the membrane apparatus so as to form a spherical membrane  330 . 
   One embodiment for generating spherical membranes is depicted in FIG.  4 . In  FIG. 4 , a circular membrane apparatus  405  is depicted as comprising a plurality of apertures  410  at the periphery of the apparatus. Also depicted in  FIG. 4  is a reservoir  415  that is filled with a liquid solution  420  comprising the target material. The circular membrane apparatus  405  is designed such that it rotates about an axis so that the apertures  410  pass into and out of the reservoir  415 . As the apertures  410  pass through the reservoir  415 , the target material  420  adheres to the circular membrane apparatus  405 , thereby forming a thin membrane over the aperture  410 . The preferred composition of the circular membrane apparatus is a material that has good wetting properties with the liquid target material. For example, copper or brass is a preferred material for a circular membrane apparatus  405  that is used with tin (Sn) as a target material. 
   When the aperture reaches a desired location, a stream of gas  425 , such as helium, will be directed to the aperture  410  so that a spherical membrane  430  will be formed. The spherical membrane  430  will then be directed to a target location where it is illuminated with high-intensity coherent light  435 . The high-intensity coherent light  435  transforms the spherical membrane  430  into plasma that generates short wavelength radiation  440 . Depending upon the particular embodiment, the spherical membrane  430  can be illuminated from a single direction, or from a plurality of directions with multiple beams. Depending upon the number of beams and the illumination pattern on the spherical membrane  430 , the short-wavelength radiation generated by the resulting plasma will be generally concentrated in one direction, or may be evenly distributed in all directions (4π). 
   An alternative embodiment for generating short wavelength radiation is depicted in FIG.  5 . Much like the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the embodiment of  FIG. 5  includes a circular membrane apparatus  505 , a plurality of apertures  510 , a reservoir  515 , and a solution of target material  520 . The circular membrane apparatus is rotated about its center so that the apertures  510  pass through the reservoir  515  and the solution of target material  520 . A membrane of target material will form inside the apertures  510  as they pass out of the solution of target material  520 . Unlike the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , however, the membrane of target material will be directly illuminated with the high-intensity coherent light  525  at sufficient intensity to form plasma, thereby generating short wavelength radiation  530 . According to a preferred embodiment, the high-intensity coherent light  525  is focused at the center of the targeted aperture  510 . When the membrane is illuminated with the light  525 , the membrane will break and the remaining liquid will be collected at the inside edge of the aperture by virtue of the surface tension of the liquid. The apertures may have texture or sintered edges to hold a larger volume of liquid and thereby facilitate formation of a stable membrane. Furthermore, since the laser pulse duration is much shorter than the rotation speed of the circular membrane apparatus  505 , synchronization of the laser pulses with the position of the aperture should be relatively straightforward. According to one embodiment, a photodetector and a light source on opposite sides of an aperture can be used to provide a trigger signal for the coherent light source. Another example of a triggering device is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/907,154, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. Other means for synchronizing operation of coherent light source with the position of the circular membrane apparatus  505  will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. 
   Rotation of the circular membrane apparatuses  405 ,  505  through their respective reservoirs  420 ,  520  can cause splashing of the liquid target material  520 . Accordingly, appropriate splash guards (not illustrated) should be used to ensure that contamination of the reaction chamber from splashing is minimized. In addition, the rotation speed of the circular membrane apparatus  405 ,  505  should be limited to ensure that the membrane will not break or distort due to centrifugal force. According to one embodiment, a circular membrane apparatus with a 10 cm radius will have 120×5 mm apertures. This embodiment would be rotated at a speed of 2500 RPM to ensure a 5000 Hz operation. 
   An alternative embodiment of a membrane-generating apparatus is depicted in FIG.  5 A. In  FIG. 5A , a reservoir  515  provides target solution to an upper supply line  517  where the solution is poured onto a membrane member  518  so that is cascades over the surface of the membrane member  518  and is collected by the lower supply line  519 . As the target solution passes over the surface of the membrane member  518 , it forms a membrane in the aperture  510  on the surface of the membrane member  518 . More than one aperture  510  can be implemented in the membrane member  518  to provide for multiple targets. The membrane of target material will be directly illuminated with high-intensity coherent light  525  at sufficient intensity to form plasma, thereby generating short wavelength radiation  530 . According to a preferred embodiment, the high-intensity coherent light  525  is focused at the center of the targeted aperture  510 . When the membrane is illuminated with the light  525 , the membrane will break and the remaining liquid will be collected at the inside edge of the aperture by virtue of the surface tension of the liquid. The membrane will then be regenerated by virtue of the solution cascading over the surface of the membrane member  518 . 
   Yet another embodiment for a membrane-generating apparatus  505  is depicted in FIG.  5 B. In  FIG. 5B , a series of hoops  510  can be passes through a reservoir  515  containing a target solution  520 . The membrane apparatus  505  is rotated about its center so that the hoops  510  pass through the reservoir  515  and the solution of target material  520 . A membrane of target material will form inside the hoops  510  as they pass out of the solution of target material  520 . The membrane of target material will be directly illuminated with the high-intensity coherent light  525  at sufficient intensity to form plasma, thereby generating short wavelength radiation  530 . The hoops can also be used to form spherical membranes in the manner described with reference to FIG.  4 . According to a preferred embodiment, the high-intensity coherent light  525  is focused at the center of the hoop  510 . When the membrane is illuminated with the light  525 , the membrane will break and the remaining liquid will be collected at the inside edge of the hoop by virtue of the surface tension of the liquid. The apertures may have texture or sintered edges to hold a larger volume of liquid and thereby facilitate formation of a stable membrane. Furthermore, since the laser pulse duration is much shorter than the rotation speed of the circular membrane apparatus  505 , synchronization of the laser pulses with the position of the aperture should be relatively straightforward. According to one embodiment, a photodetector and a light source on opposite sides of a hoop can be used to provide a trigger signal for the coherent light source. Another example of a triggering device is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/907,154, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. Other means for synchronizing operation of coherent light source with the position of the circular membrane apparatus  505  will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. 
   An alternative embodiment that is suitable for use as an EUV light source is depicted in FIG.  6 . In  FIG. 6 , a circular membrane apparatus  605  is shown from a side view such that the plurality of apertures  610  are not visible. Much like the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the circular membrane apparatus  605  is rotated through a reservoir  615  that contains a liquid target solution or melt  620 . As the circular membrane apparatus  605  passes through the reservoir  615 , a thin membrane is formed in the plurality of apertures  610 . These membranes are passed into the interior of a parabolic reflector  625  so that the target material is disposed generally at the focus point of the parabolic reflector  625 . At this point, the membrane will be illuminated by high intensity coherent light  630 . As the target material forms plasma, EUV radiation  635  will be emitted and reflected from the surface of the parabolic reflector  625 . The EUV radiation reflected by the parabolic reflector  625  will be emitted in a generally collimated manner. By collecting and reflecting this EUV radiation, the parabolic reflector  625  can greatly improve the efficiency of this system as an EUV light source. In a preferred embodiment, the interior of the parabolic reflector  625  will also include a splash shield  640 . The splash shield  640  prevents any splashing from the reservoir  615  or the target site from contaminating the interior of the parabolic reflector  625 . One example of such a debris control mechanism is described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/485,843, entitled “Debris Mitigation Apparatus for Microtarget EUV Source,” which is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. According to another embodiment, an EUV pass filter may be utilized between the target area and the interior of the parabolic reflector  625 , whereby the generated EUV radiation will be allowed to pass, but the debris generated by the laser illumination would be confined to the target area. One example of an EUV pass filter is Zirconium (Zr) foil with Mo/Si collector optics ( 625 ). Various debris migration techniques may also be utilized such as, for example, electrostatic repellers, magnetic deflection, helium (He) curtains, etc. 
   Yet another alternative embodiment for generating short-wavelength radiation is depicted in FIG.  7 . In  FIG. 7 , a membrane apparatus  705  is disposed inside of a splash guard  710 . The membrane apparatus  705  is designed to be rotated at a specific angular velocity by a motor  715 . A liquid target material  720  is applied to the center of the membrane apparatus  705  as it is rotating and is dispersed to apparatus edges by centrifugal force. As the liquid target material  720  is dispersed, it forms a thin membrane on the surface of the membrane apparatus  705 . By controlling the angular velocity of the membrane apparatus  705 , the thickness of the membrane can be controlled. The thickness of the membrane can also be controlled by other factors such as the kind of the liquid target material, its viscosity, and its relative dissolution. The membrane on the surface of the membrane apparatus  705  can be utilized as a target in several ways. First, the membrane apparatus  705  can comprise one or more apertures  725  disposed at the periphery of the apparatus  705 . As these apertures  725  reach a desired location, the membrane formed across the aperture may be utilized as a target for coherent light beams  730 . The second way that the membrane can be utilized as a target is to allow the target material to spin off the edge of the membrane apparatus  705 , thereby forming a membrane that extends from the outside edge of the membrane apparatus  705 . Much like the previously described embodiments, as these membranes are illuminated with high-power coherent light, plasma is formed that can emit short wavelength radiation. According to yet another embodiment, the membrane apparatus has one or more “notches” at its periphery whereby a membrane may be formed within the notch as the apparatus is spun. Other aspects of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7  include a target material reservoir and pump  740 . The reservoir  740  receives the target material captured by the circular splash guard  710  as the membrane apparatus rotates  705 . The captured target material may then be recycled and returned to the pipette  735  that supplies the target material to the center of the membrane apparatus  705 . In this manner, the target material may be recycled with minimal waste. Furthermore, in the embodiment where the target material is a molten metal such as tin or copper, the reservoir  740  may include a heater that maintains the target material at a desired temperature. 
   A further embodiment for generating short-wavelength radiation is depicted in FIG.  7 A. In  FIG. 7A , a membrane apparatus  705  is disposed inside of a splash guard  710 . The membrane apparatus  705  is designed to be rotated at a specific angular velocity by a motor  715 . A liquid target material  720  is applied to the center of the membrane apparatus  705  as it is rotating and is dispersed to apparatus edges by centrifugal force. As the liquid target material  720  is dispersed, it forms a thin membrane on the surface of the membrane apparatus  705 . By controlling the angular velocity of the membrane apparatus  705 , the thickness of the membrane can be controlled. The thickness of the membrane can also be controlled by other factors such as the kind of the liquid target material, its viscosity, and its relative dissolution. As the target solution  720  passes over the outer periphery of the membrane apparatus  705 , membranes will be formed within each of the notches  740  that are located at the periphery of the apparatus  705 . Much like the previously described embodiments, as these membranes are illuminated with high-power coherent light, plasma is formed that can emit short wavelength radiation. Other aspects of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7B  include a target material reservoir and pump  730 . The reservoir  730  receives the target material captured by the circular splash guard  710  as the membrane apparatus rotates  705 . The captured target material may then be recycled and returned to the pipette  735  that supplies the target material to the center of the membrane apparatus  705 . In this manner, the target material may be recycled with minimal waste. Furthermore, in the embodiment where the target material is a molten metal such as tin or copper, the reservoir  730  may include a heater that maintains the target material at a desired temperature. 
   An alternative embodiment of the centrifugal membrane apparatus of  FIG. 7  is depicted in FIG.  8 . In  FIG. 8 , a small pipe or pipette  835  provides a liquid target material to the center of a rotating membrane apparatus  805 . Much like the previously described embodiment, the rotating membrane apparatus  805  forms a thin layer of the target material, which can form a membrane across one or more apertures  810  or at the outer edge of the membrane apparatus  805 . As these membranes are formed, a stream of gas  815  is provided and thereby forms a continuous supply of spherical membranes  820 . These membranes  820  may then be illuminated with high-power coherent light  825  to form plasma that emits desired short-wavelength radiation  830 . 
   One embodiment of a circular membrane apparatus  905  is depicted in FIG.  9 . In  FIG. 9 , the circular membrane apparatus comprises a plurality of circular apertures  910 . Depending upon the needs of the system, the desired thickness of the target membrane, and the properties of the target material, the circular apertures  910  may be replaced with one or more alternative shapes, such as those depicted in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C. 
   Although certain embodiments and aspects of the present inventions have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the inventions are not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but are capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof. Applicant intends that the claims shall not invoke the application of 35 U.S.C § 112, ¶ 6 unless the claim is explicitly written in step-plus-function or means-plus-function format.