Laser-Plasma Source Development for Projection X-ray Lithography

A Sandia/AT&T team is utilizing optics coated for reflection at 14 nm for projection x-ray lithography. An excimer laser-plasma source of XUV radiation has provided illumination for this work, demonstrating the viability of a laser-plasma x-ray source for ultra-large scale integration. The issues of designing such a source for projection lithography are distinct from synchrotron sources and require understanding the UV to XUV conversion process, mitigating debris from the laser-target, and establishing long-term reliability. We are approaching these problems in parallel by studying the conversion process in solid and thin-film targets, by designing an advanced tape drive as a long-lasting low-mass laser-target, and by choosing to work with excimer lasers as off-the-shelf industrial components.