Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the generation of radiation at a desired wavelength. 
         [0003]    More precisely, this invention relates to a process for the generation in a given direction of radiation emissions in a desired range of wavelengths, where the process includes: producing initial radiation by a radiation source whose wavelengths includes the desired range; and filtering the initial radiation, to substantially eliminate the part of the initial radiation whose wavelength is outside the desired range. 
         [0004]    The invention also relates to a radiation generating device that can be used to implement such a process, as well as a lithography device incorporating such a generation device. 
         [0005]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0006]    Processes and devices similar to the type mentioned above are known. 
         [0007]    One (non-limiting) example of implementation concerns the generation of radiation at a desired wavelength intended for an optical chain, for lithography applications on a photosensitive substrate.  FIG. 1  diagrammatically illustrates an optical system  100 , that includes the following in succession: 
         [0008]    a generator  10  of radiation in a desired range of wavelengths; 
         [0009]    a lens assembly  11  which receives the radiation coming from the generator  10  and processes it (e.g., by subjecting it to collimation and/or focusing of its beams); 
         [0010]    a mask  12  which receives the processed radiation coming from the lens assembly  11 , and selectively allows to pass only the beams arriving at the mask via a transmission pattern  120 , with the remainder of the radiation being stopped by the mask; and 
         [0011]    a substrate  13  which receives the beams that have been transmitted by the mask, and whose surface exposed to the radiation bears a photo-resistant or photosensitive product. 
         [0012]    The beams arriving at the substrate react with the product and thus form, on the surface of the substrate, a pattern that matches the transmission pattern of the mask. 
         [0013]    The desired range of wavelengths of the generator  10  can in particular be located in the ultra-violet (UV) spectrum, or in the extreme UV (EUV) spectra. 
         [0014]    Note that in this text, the term “EUV” is conventionally used to refer to both EUV beams and soft x-rays. 
         [0015]    The EUV beams are associated with very short wavelengths (wavelengths less than 100 nm, and of the order of a few tens of nms for example, where an application corresponds to a wavelength of 13.5 nm). This is advantageous in particular for photolithography applications, since in a corresponding manner, the patterns drawn by the beams can be of very small dimensions. In particular, this allows the formation of a larger quantity of patterns on a substrate of the same size. 
         [0016]    It is necessary however to associate radiation filtering resources with the radiation generator. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments, in particular for radiation generators whose wavelength is in the EUV range, the generator includes a radiation source of the plasma source type. 
         [0018]    In addition to the desired radiation, such radiation sources also emit: radiation whose wavelengths do not correspond to the desired range; and/or solid debris resulting from the interaction between the plasma and solid parts of the chamber in which this plasma is located (target, walls of the chamber, etc.). 
         [0019]    In order to isolate, in the radiation coming from the source of the generator, only the beams that are at a desired wavelength, it is therefore necessary to provide filtering resources downstream of the source (e.g., immediately downstream of the source, in order to avoid exposing the mask to debris which could damage it). 
         [0020]    In a known manner, such filtering resources include a multi-layer mirror which selectively reflects the beams according to their wavelength. Such a multi-layer mirror thus functions as a band-pass filter. Such a multi-layer mirror does not pass on the undesirable debris which can be emitted by the source, so that the elements located downstream of the filtering resources are not exposed to such debris. Such a solution allows filtering out of the beams emitted by a radiation source that can produce such debris. However, one drawback associated with such a known configuration is that the debris emitted by the source can damage the mirror of the filtering resources. 
         [0021]    It would be possible to envisage distancing the filtering resources from the source, so as to reduce the probability that debris will damage the mirror of these filtering resources. 
         [0022]    In this case however, there would be a significant reduction in the radiation stream recovered by the filtering resources, thus adversely affecting the performance of the whole optical system. 
         [0023]    It therefore appears that the known configurations for generating radiation at a desired wavelength are associated with drawbacks when the radiation source can generate debris. 
         [0024]    In particular, this disadvantage concerns applications in which the desired wavelengths fall in the EUV area. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    One object of the invention is to provide processes and devices that avoid these drawbacks. 
         [0026]    In order to attain this objective, the invention proposes, according to one embodiment, a process for the generation, in a given emission direction, of radiation in a desired range of wavelengths, where the process includes: 
         [0027]    producing beams of initial radiation by a radiation source, whose wavelengths include the desired range; and 
         [0028]    filtering of the initial radiation, so as to substantially eliminate the beams of the initial radiation whose wavelength is outside the desired range, wherein the filtering is achieved by introducing a controlled distribution of the refraction index of the beams in a control region that is traversed by the initial radiation, to selectively deflect the beams of the initial radiation according to their wavelength, and to recover the beams of a desired wavelength. 
         [0029]    Preferred, though not limiting, aspects of such a process are: 
         [0030]    the controlled distribution of the refraction index of the beams is obtained by controlling the density distribution of electrons in the control region; 
         [0031]    the control region is located in a plasma; 
         [0032]    the plasma containing the control region is itself contained in a chamber associated with the radiation source; 
         [0033]    electron density control is effected to obtain an electron density which is greater at a distance from a median initial radiation emission line than it is on the median emission line of the initial radiation; 
         [0034]    the median initial radiation emission line is a straight initial radiation line, and the initial radiation is produced by the radiation source with a generally axi-symmetrical distribution around the straight initial radiation line; 
         [0035]    in order to obtain the electron density distribution, an input of energy is applied to the plasma along the median initial radiation emission line; and 
         [0036]    the energy input is effected by ionization of the plasma along the median initial radiation emission line. 
         [0037]    In certain embodiments, in order to effect the ionization, the following operations are required: 
         [0038]    establishment of an electrical voltage at the terminals of the chamber containing the plasma, the terminals being spaced in the general direction defined by the median initial radiation emission line; 
         [0039]    application of an energy beam to the median initial radiation emission line; 
         [0040]    in order to recover the beams of a desired wavelength, there is at least one window downstream of the control region, to selectively pass beams in the desired wavelength range; 
         [0041]    each window is positioned on the median initial radiation emission line, with a curvilinear abscissa corresponding to the place of intersection of the beams in the desired wavelength range which were deflected with the median initial radiation emission line; 
         [0042]    the desired range of wavelengths falls within the interval [0-100 nm]; and 
         [0043]    the desired range of wavelengths falls within the EUV spectrum. 
         [0044]    According to a second aspect, the invention also proposes a device for the generation, in a given emission direction, of radiation in a desired range of wavelengths, where the device includes: 
         [0045]    a source of initial radiation whose wavelengths include the desired range; and 
         [0046]    filtering resources of the initial radiation, to substantially eliminate the beams of the initial radiation whose wavelength is outside the desired range, wherein the filtering resources include the means to introduce a controlled distribution of the refraction index of the beams in a control region that is traversed by the initial radiation, to selectively deflect the beams of the initial radiation according to their wavelength, and to recover the beams of a desired wavelength. 
         [0047]    Preferred, though not limiting, aspects of such a device are as follows: 
         [0048]    the means to introduce a controlled distribution of the refraction index includes resources to control the electron density distribution in the control region; 
         [0049]    the control region is located in a plasma; 
         [0050]    the plasma containing the control region is itself contained in a chamber associated with the radiation source; 
         [0051]    the resources to control the electron density distribution can achieve an electron density which is greater at a distance from a median initial radiation emission line than it is on the median initial radiation emission line; 
         [0052]    the median initial radiation emission line is a straight initial radiation line, and the resources to control the electron density distribution can achieve an electron density that is generally axi-symmetrical around the straight initial radiation line; 
         [0053]    the resources to control the electron density distribution include resources for injecting energy into the plasma along the median initial radiation emission line; 
         [0054]    the resources for injecting energy include resources for ionization of the plasma along the median emission line of the initial radiation; 
         [0055]    the resources for injecting energy include resources to:
       establish an electrical voltage at the terminals of the chamber containing the plasma, with the terminals being spaced in the general direction defined by the median initial radiation emission line; and   apply an energy beam to the median initial radiation emission line;       
 
         [0058]    downstream of the control region, the device includes at least one window to selectively pass beams in the desired wavelength range; 
         [0059]    each window is positioned on the median initial radiation emission line, with a curvilinear abscissa corresponding to the place of intersection of the beams in the desired wavelength range, which were deflected with the median initial radiation emission line; 
         [0060]    the device includes an additional multi-layer filtration mirror in association with at least some windows; 
         [0061]    the device includes a multiplicity of modules, which each include a source of initial radiation and associated filtering resources, as well as an optical resource that can be used to collect the radiation subjected to filtration, in order to re-direct it outside of the device; 
         [0062]    the optical resource is a multi-layer mirror which can finalize filtering of the radiation; 
         [0063]    the desired range of wavelengths falls within the interval [0-100 nm]; and 
         [0064]    the desired range of wavelengths falls within the EUV spectrum. 
         [0065]    The invention also concerns a lithography device that includes a generation device according to one of the above aspects. 
         [0066]    Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of the invention, which is provided with reference to the appended drawings on which, apart from  FIG. 1  has already been described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0067]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an optical system. 
           [0068]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a radiation generator according to the invention. 
           [0069]      FIG. 3  is a similar representation, illustrating an electron density distribution which is controlled in a particular manner in the context of the invention. 
           [0070]      FIG. 4  illustrates a particular method of implementation of the invention with a multiplicity of radiation sources. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0071]      FIG. 2  diagrammatically illustrates a radiation generator  20  according to the invention. This radiation generator includes a chamber  21  which is generally closed but with one side  210  open to let pass the beams emitted by the chamber. 
         [0072]    The chamber  21  includes a source  211  that can produce an initial radiation R 0 . Typically this is a source containing a plasma. 
         [0073]    The initial radiation includes beams whose wavelength corresponds to a desired range of wavelengths. In a preferred but not limiting embodiment of the invention, the desired range of wavelengths falls within the interval [0-100 nm]. This desired range of wavelengths can thus be located in the EUV spectrum. The chamber  21  can thus produce initial radiation in which a significant quantity of beams correspond to the desired wavelength range. 
         [0074]    As mentioned previously, it is possible however that undesirable effects can be associated with the emission from the source: the initial radiation can also contain beams whose wavelengths do not correspond exactly to the desired range; and it is also possible that the source  211  may emit a certain amount of debris with the initial radiation. 
         [0075]    In order to prevent these undesirable effects, the generator  20  includes resources for filtering the initial radiation. These filtering resources can introduce a controlled distribution of the refraction index of the beams in a control region  212  traversed by the initial radiation, to selectively deflect the beams of the initial radiation according to their wavelength. The beams of a desired wavelength are then recovered (in particular using resources which will be described in this text). 
         [0076]    Such embodiment makes use of a physical principle similar to that, for example, which causes the deflection of light beams in the presence of a gradient of the refraction index of the air (the particular case of air with high temperature gradients). 
         [0077]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the control region is located inside of the chamber itself  21 . Note that it is also possible for this control region to be located outside the chamber  21 , downstream of the latter on the trajectory of the initial radiation. 
         [0078]    Control of the distribution of the refraction index in the control region can be achieved by controlling the electron density distribution in the control region. In this regard, it is possible to exploit the relationship linking the refraction index η to the electron density n e : 
         [0079]    η=(1−n e /n c ) 1/2 , where n represents a critical electron density value beyond which the beams are no longer able to pass, since this value of n c  is related to the wavelength of the beams concerned. 
         [0080]    Returning to the method of implementation illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the control region  212  is therefore located in the chamber  21 , and this control region is thus in the plasma associated with the source  211 . 
         [0081]    Control of the electron density distribution in the control region allows one to influence the trajectories of the different beams of the initial radiation, according to the wavelength of these beams. This is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , which shows two general trajectories of two types of beam: beams of a first wavelength λ1, these beams have the trajectory R 1 ; and beams of a second wavelength λ2, which is shorter than the first wavelength λ1, these beams have the trajectory R 2 . 
         [0082]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated here, an electron density distribution is established in the control region such that the electron density is greater at a distance from a median initial radiation emission line than it is on the median initial radiation emission line. 
         [0083]    The “median initial radiation emission line” corresponds, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , to the straight line A. Note that in the embodiment illustrated here, the chamber is typically in the shape of a round cylinder, and that the initial radiation is emitted with a generally axi-symmetrical distribution of the beams, around line A. 
         [0084]    The configuration of the electron density distribution desired in this embodiment is illustrated diagrammatically in  FIG. 3 , which shows electron density curves. 
         [0085]    In this figure, it can be seen that the electron density value is greater at the edges of the chamber (distanced from line A) than in the middle of this chamber (close to line A). It can also be seen that the three electron density curves that are shown diverge in the peripheral region of the chamber. Such an electron density distribution is opposite to the electron density distribution that can normally be observed in the chamber of a radiation source. In the case of a chamber of known type, one generally observes a higher density at the center of the chamber. 
         [0086]    The density configuration shown in  FIG. 3  is therefore specific, and it is created by design for the embodiment of the invention described here. In order to create such an electron density distribution in the control region, energy is injected into the plasma of the chamber  21  along the line A. This input of energy can be effected, for example, by a beam of electrons or by a laser beam, directed into the control region along the axis defined by line A. This input of energy is illustrated diagrammatically by arrow E. It is used to ionize the plasma in the control region, along line A. 
         [0087]    Prior to this input of energy, it was possible to establish an electric voltage at the terminals of the chamber containing the plasma, the terminals being spaced along the general direction defined by the median initial radiation emission line. 
         [0088]      FIG. 3  diagrammatically represents such terminals  2121  and  2122 . It is thus possible to create an electron density distribution of the type shown in  FIG. 3 . Note that such a distribution can be obtained by starting from a density distribution of a known type, in which the density is higher at the center of the chamber. 
         [0089]    The input of energy and the ionization associated with it is used in this embodiment to “invert” the density configuration, and to obtain a higher density close to the peripheral walls of the chamber. 
         [0090]      FIG. 3  shows three density distribution curves as mentioned. These three curves are generally coincident in the central region of the chamber (close to line A), but have different values of density close to the walls of the chamber. These three curves correspond to successive states of the electron density distribution, when ionization of the central zone of the control region has been effected. 
         [0091]    At the end of such an ionization, there can be an electron density which is already higher at the periphery of the control region. 
         [0092]    If, however, one then allows the plasma thus ionized to develop, this configuration will then become accentuated, and the value of the density will again increase at the periphery. In fact the high-density electrons present in great quantity at the periphery of the chamber will have a tendency to cause the internal walls of this chamber to melt, single layer of wall coating by single layer of wall coating. 
         [0093]    This melting leads to an additional input of electrons at the periphery of the chamber, which still further increases the electron density in this area. 
         [0094]      FIG. 2  specifically represents a window  222  which is positioned at the focal point of the beams on the trajectory R 2 . This window corresponds to a resource for recovery of beams of a desired wavelength, from amongst the beams of the initial radiation. 
         [0095]    It has been seen that the different beams emitted by the initial radiation R 0  were deflected in a different manner, by the electron density distribution which existed in the control region, according to their wavelength. This selective deflection causes the beams associated with a given wavelength to converge toward a specific point on line A, referred to herein as the “focal point”. 
         [0096]    The position of the focal point on line A (a position that can be defined by a curvilinear abscissa of a marker linked to the line A) therefore depends on the wavelength associated with this focal point. 
         [0097]      FIG. 2  shows focal points F 1  and F 2  associated respectively with the beams of trajectories R 1  and R 2 . 
         [0098]    The window  222  is thus positioned at focal point F 2 . The function of this window is to allow to pass only the beams arriving at line A generally at focal point F 2  (that is the beams of wavelength λ2). To this end, window  222  includes an opening  2220  which is preferably centered on line A. 
         [0099]    This window thus forms an advantageous resource for recovering only the beams of a desired wavelength. It thus improves filtration of the beams emitted by the initial radiation. 
         [0100]    In this way, it is possible to have windows in any desired position on line A, according to the wavelength that one wished to isolate. 
         [0101]    It can therefore be seen that the invention allows beams of a desired wavelength (or at desired wavelengths, to be exact) to be isolated in an efficient manner. 
         [0102]    With respect to the invention, there is no exposing of a filtration resource, such as a multi-layer mirror, to debris that can damage it. 
         [0103]    With respect to the invention, the fact that the desired beams are recovered at a specific point toward which they were deflected already allows a large part of any debris emitted by the source  21  to be avoided. 
         [0104]    Implementation of recovery resources such as a window allows the quantity of debris to be reduced still further. The result is that at the end of this filtration, there is very little or no debris. 
         [0105]    Note that downstream of the focal point of the beams that need to be recovered, it is possible to create resources for optical conditioning of the beam formed by these filtered beams. 
         [0106]    In particular, this optical conditioning can be a collimation and/or a focusing process. 
         [0107]    The recovered beam can therefore be sent directly toward a lithography mask. 
         [0108]    It is also possible to direct the recovered beam toward additional filtering resources, if so desired. Such additional filtering resources can include a multi-layer mirror like those which constitute the filtering resources that are known currently. 
         [0109]    The layers of such a multi-layer mirror are designed (in composition and thickness) so that the mirror selectively reflects only the beams of a given wavelength (according to a condition known as the Bragg condition, which links the reflectivity of the mirror to the wavelength of the incident beams). 
         [0110]    In this variant, several filtering resources are used in series. The resource that is furthest upstream, which performs a selective deflection of beams and their recovery, provides protection for the resource furthest downstream (the multi-layer mirror) from the debris emitted by the source. 
         [0111]    Note finally that it is possible to implement the invention in a device that includes a multiplicity of sources of initial radiation, each associated with resources that can be used to control a distribution of the refraction index in an associated control region. 
         [0112]    This mode of implementation is illustrated diagrammatically in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0113]    In this figure, a multiplicity of chambers  21   i  which are similar to the chamber  21  already described, direct their respective radiation along respective median lines Ai, which converge toward a central optic  23 . The central optic can thus receive the beams emitted by one or more chambers  21   i,  according to the chambers that are active. 
         [0114]    The distance between the optic  23  and each chamber is adjusted to select the radiation filtering wavelength associated with each active chamber. It is also thus possible to cause beams of different wavelengths, coming from different chambers, to arrive at the optic  23 . The optic  23  is able to redirect the received beams toward the exterior, and therefore toward other optical processing resources (such as a lithography mask) for example.

Technology Category: g