Patent Number: 060312416
Section: claims

1. A method of operating a capillary discharge source in the approximately 11 nm to approximately 14 nm wavelength region comprising the steps of: (a) forming a discharge within a capillary source having a bore size of approximately 1 mm, and at least one radiating gas, with a discharge current of approximately 2000 to approximately 10,000 amperes; and  (b) radiating selected wavelength regions between approximately 11 to approximately 14 nm from the discharge source.  xenon.  an oxygen containing molecule to provide oxygen as the one radiating gas.  a buffer gas.  approximately 0.1 to approximately 50 Torr.  approximately 0.1 to approximately 20 Torr.  a metal vapor radiating the selected wavelength regions.  approximately 0.1 to approximately 20 Torr.  lithium.  lithium radiating the selected wavelength region between approximately 11 to approximately 14 nm; and  helium as a buffer gas.  (a) forming a discharge across a capillary source having a bore size of approximately 0.5 to approximately 3 mm, and at least one radiating gas, with a discharge current density of up to approximately 1,300,000 Amperes/cm.sup.2 ; and  (b) radiating selected wavelength regions between approximately 11 to approximately 14 nm from the discharge source.  a length of approximately 1 to approximately 10 mm.  xenon.  an oxygen containing molecule to provide oxygen as the one radiating gas.  a buffer gas.  approximately 0.1 to approximately 50 Torr.  pre-conditioning interior bore surface walls of a capillary discharge source that operates in the ultraviolet region; and  continuing the pre-conditioning until a selected impulse value is reached.  a heat source.  laser.  focussing the laser within the bore; and  operating the laser at a focussed intensity in the range of approximately 10.sup.7 to approximately 10.sup.11 Watts/cm.sup.2.  an excimer laser, a Nd:Yag laser, and a Copper Vapor laser.  less than approximately 20 Torr-.mu.s.  initiating discharge current discharge pulses within the capillary with a second gas having a pressure range of approximately 1 to approximately 20 Torr.  approximately 3000 pulses.  a capillary constructed from a nonconducting and an insulating material; and  at least one gaseous species inserted in the capillary, wherein the capillary is used to generate ultraviolet discharges.  a metallic conductor on opposite sides of the capillary.  quartz, saphire, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, and alumina.  a segmented bore of alternating conductive and nonconductive materials.  a capillary;  a first electrode on one side of the capillary;  a second electrode on a second side of the capillary opposite to the first side;  a pipe having a first end for supporting the second electrode and a second end;  a discharge port connected to the second end of the pipe;  a wick passing through the pipe from the discharge port to an portion of the pipe adjacent to but not within the capillary; and  means for operating the capillary as a discharge source for generating ultraviolet wavelengths signals.  a lithium wetted mesh for operation as a heat pipe. 2. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 1, wherein the gas includes: 3. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 1, wherein the gas includes: 4. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 1, further comprising: 5. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 1, wherein total pressure in the capillary is within the range of: 6. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 1, wherein the gas radiating the selected wavelength regions has a pressure of: 7. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 1, wherein the gas includes: 8. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 7, wherein the metal vapor has a pressure of: 9. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 7, wherein the metal vapor is: 10. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 1, wherein the gas includes: 11. A method of operating a capillary discharge source in the approximately 11 to approximately 14 nm wavelength region comprising the steps of: 12. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 11, wherein the bore size further includes: 13. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 11, wherein the gas includes: 14. The method operating the capillary discharge source of claim 11, wherein the gas includes: 15. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 11, further comprising: 16. The method of operating the capillary discharge source of claim 11, wherein total pressure in the capillary is within the range of: 17. A method of pre-processing a capillary discharge source having an optical element that operates in the ultraviolet region, prior to operating the source, in order to prevent rupturing of the optical element or contaminating mirrors that receive radiation, comprising the steps of: 18. The method of pre-processing the capillary discharge source of claim 17, wherein the pre-conditioning step further includes: 19. The method of pre-processing the capillary discharge source of claim 18, wherein the heat source includes: 20. The method of pre-processing the capillary discharge source of claim 19, further including the steps of: 21. The method of pre-processing the capillary discharge source of claim 18, wherein the laser is chosen from one of: 22. The method of pre-processing the capillary discharge source of claim 17, wherein the selected value is: 23. The method of pre-processing the capillary discharge source of claim 17, wherein the pre-conditioning step further includes the step of: 24. The method of pre-processing the capillary discharge source of claim 17, wherein the pre-operation pulses includes: 25. A capillary discharge lamp source operating in the ultraviolet wavelength region, comprising: 26. The capillary discharge lamp source of claim 25, further including 27. The capillary discharge lamp source of claim 26, wherein the metallic conductor is chosen from one of: molybdenum, Kovar, and stainless steel. 28. The capillary discharge lamp source of claim 25, wherein the nonconducting and the insulating material is chosen from one of: 29. The capillary discharge lamp source of claim 25, wherein the capillary is 30. A discharge lamp source operating the ultraviolet wavelength region comprising: 31. The capillary discharge source of claim 30, wherein the means for operating includes