Patent ID: 7161163

Claim:
An arrangement for plasma-based generation of soft x-radiation, particularly for the generation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, comprising: a target generator with a target nozzle for generating a target flow in a reproducible and regular manner as a liquid flow of substantially linear propagation in a vacuum chamber; a pulsed energy beam which is focused on defined portions of the target flow at an interaction point in order to generate a radiation-emitting plasma; a closure device being arranged between the target nozzle and an interaction region located around the interaction point; said closure device having at least one opening for passing the target flow and which temporarily interrupts the passage of the target flow through said opening by mechanically movable elements; wherein at least a one portion of the target flow that is provided in a reproducible manner from the target nozzle is separated for interacting with the energy beam; and said pulsed energy beam being synchronized with the closure device in such a way that, during time intervals when a portions of the target flow having passed into the interaction region is converted into radiation-emitting plasma, the closure device interrupts the transmission to prevent the radiation and particles emitted from the plasma from entering and damaging the target nozzle.