Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An emitting capillary discharge source, comprising: an electrode;  an insulated capillary discharge chamber having an initial inner bore diameter, the capillary discharge chamber being adjacent to the electrode;  a gas for being inserted within the capillary discharge chamber;  voltage means for causing a light emission from the capillary discharge chamber; and,  means for maintaining the initial inner bore diameter of the capillary discharge chamber inner diameter at a constant value over time, for additional light emissions, the constant value being at least approximately 110% of the initial inner bore diameter for lithographic applications. 2. The emitting capillary discharge source of  claim 1 , wherein the constant value is at least approximately 105% of the initial inner bore diameter, for the lithographic applications. claim 1 3. The emitting capillary discharge source of  claim 1 , wherein said means for maintaining the initial bore diameter at a constant value is a spring. claim 1 4. The emitting capillary discharge source of  claim 1 , wherein said means for maintaining the initial bore diameter at a constant value is selected from one of: a mechanically actuated plunger, and an electrically actuated plunger. claim 1 5. The emitting capillary discharge source of  claim 1 , wherein said means for maintaining the initial bore diameter at a constant value includes a remote detector of said light emissions. claim 1 6. The emitting capillary discharge source of  claim 1 , wherein the means for maintaining at a constant value provides inwardly directed radial force toward the bore. claim 1 7. The emitting capillary discharge source of  claim 1 , wherein the capillary discharge chamber has an inner core diameter between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 2.5 mm and an overall length which ranges between approximately 1 mm and approximately 10 mm. claim 1 8. The emitting capillary discharge source of  claim 1 , wherein said means for maintaining the initial bore diameter at a constant value is a quasi-circularly shaped capillary using elongated segments of capillary material, the ends of which are flat and angularly arranged to form the inner wall of said discharge chamber. claim 1 9. The emitting capillary discharges of  claim 8 , wherein there are six of said elongated pieces. claim 8 10. An emitting capillary discharge source, comprising: an electrode;  an insulated capillary discharge chamber having an initial inner bore diameter, the capillary discharge chamber being adjacent to the electrode;  a gas for being inserted within the capillary discharge chamber;  voltage means for causing a light emission from the capillary discharge chamber; and,  means for maintaining the initial inner bore diameter of the capillary discharge chamber inner diameter at a constant value over time, for additional light emissions, said means for maintaining the initial bore diameter at a constant value being a spring. 11. An emitting capillary discharge source, comprising: an electrode;  an insulated capillary discharge chamber having an initial inner bore diameter, the capillary discharge chamber being adjacent to the electrode;  a gas for being inserted within the capillary discharge chamber;  voltage means for causing a light emission from the capillary discharge chamber; and,  means for maintaining the initial inner bore diameter of the capillary discharge chamber inner diameter at a constant value over time, for additional light emissions, said means for maintaining said initial bore diameter at a constant value being selected from one of: a mechanically actuated plunger, and an electrically actuated plunger. 12. An emitting capillary discharge source, comprising: an electrode;  an insulated capillary discharge chamber having an initial inner bore diameter, the capillary discharge chamber being adjacent to the electrode;  a gas for being inserted within the capillary discharge chamber;  voltage means for causing a light emission from the capillary discharge chamber; and,  means for maintaining the initial inner bore diameter of the capillary discharge chamber inner diameter at a constant value over time, for additional light emissions, said means for maintaining the initial bore diameter at a constant value is a quasi-circularly shaped capillary using elongated segments of capillary material, the ends of which are flat and angularly arranged to form the inner wall of said discharge chamber.