Refillable lamp for laser sustained plasma light source

Abstract

A refillable plasma lamp assembly for laser-sustained plasma light sources is disclosed. The lamp assembly includes a transparent lamp body defining a sealed internal volume, a glass-to-metal fitting with a metal flange, and a glass-to-metal seal hermetically coupling the lamp body and fitting. The lamp flange is configured to connect to an external gas fitting for supplying and removing working gas to and from the sealed internal volume during plasma operation. The lamp body may be connected to a glass portion of the glass-to-metal fitting via a glass-to-glass connection. The lamp assembly may include a fill port for gas exchange between the lamp flange and the external gas fitting. This construction enables dynamic control of gas composition and pressure in semiconductor metrology and inspection applications. The refillable design improves safety by permitting unpressurized shipping and resists deterioration from reactive gases.

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