Lithography system with a deflection device for modifying the trajectory of particulate debris - Patents.com

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a radiation receiving device having an opening operable to receive radiation from a radiation source through the opening, the radiation receiving device comprising a deflection device configured to change the trajectory of particles reaching the radiation receiving device through the opening.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62 / 965,140, ​​filed January 23, 2020, and U.S. Application No. 63 / 048,513, filed July 6, 2020, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0002] The present invention relates to a system comprising a radiation source and a radiation-receiving device. In particular, the invention relates to such a system comprising a deflection device for modifying the trajectory of particulate debris passing from the radiation source to the radiation-receiving device. The radiation source may, for example, be an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) laser-produced plasma (LPP) source. The radiation-receiving device may, for example, comprise a lithography apparatus. [Background technology]

[0003] A lithographic apparatus is a machine constructed to apply a desired pattern onto a substrate. Lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). A lithographic apparatus can, for example, project a pattern in a patterning device (e.g. a mask) onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate.

[0004] Lithographic apparatus can use electromagnetic radiation to project a pattern onto a substrate. The wavelength of this radiation determines the minimum size of features that can be formed on the substrate. Lithographic apparatus that use extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, having a wavelength in the range of 4-20 nm, e.g., 6.7 nm or 13.5 nm, can be used to form smaller features on a substrate than lithographic apparatus that use radiation with a wavelength of, e.g., 193 nm.

[0005] A lithography system may comprise a radiation source operable to generate a radiation beam, and a lithography apparatus operable to receive the radiation beam and use it to form an image (e.g. a diffraction-limited image) of a patterning device on a substrate. One known type of radiation source used in the field of EUV lithography is an LPP radiation source.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide a new lithography system and related methods for operation that at least partially addresses one or more problems associated with prior art configurations, whether or not identified herein. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a radiation source comprising a housing having an exit aperture, a radiation generator operable to generate output radiation within the housing and direct at least a portion of the output radiation through the exit aperture, a radiation receiving device operable to receive the output radiation directed through the exit aperture, a pressure maintaining device operable to maintain a pressure differential across the exit aperture such that the pressure within the housing is greater than the pressure outside the housing, and a deflection device arranged outside the housing and configured to modify the trajectory of particles exiting the housing through the exit aperture.

[0008] The system may be a lithography system and the radiation-receiving apparatus may be a lithography apparatus. The radiation generator may be operable to generate a laser-produced plasma (LPP), and the radiation source may comprise an LPP radiation source. The output radiation may comprise extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation. A system according to the first aspect of the invention is advantageous, as discussed below. In an embodiment, the radiation source may be an EUV radiation source.

[0009] Within an LPP radiation source, a fuel (e.g., tin) may be partially converted into a radiation-emitting plasma. This process may generate fuel debris (e.g., droplets of molten tin). It is desirable to reduce the amount of such fuel debris incident on critical surfaces such as optical components (e.g., mirrors). In particular, it is desirable to prevent fuel debris from propagating from the radiation source into the lithographic apparatus and depositing on optical components therein. In particular, it is desirable to avoid propagation of such fuel debris to a patterning device or reticle of the lithographic apparatus, as this can significantly affect the image formed by the lithographic apparatus (and may result in image defects).

[0010] One mechanism used to reduce the amount of fuel debris that enters the radiation receiving device from the radiation source housing is to provide a dynamic gas lock near the exit aperture. To accomplish this, a flow of gas (e.g., hydrogen) is provided from the housing wall around the exit aperture generally inward toward the interior of the housing. This gas flow acts to force fuel debris propagating toward the exit aperture back into the housing.

[0011] It is also known to provide devices (such as rotating tin traps) to stop or divert fuel debris within the housing.

[0012] It is known to provide a flow of hydrogen gas adjacent to a surface in an LPP radiation source (eg, the surface of the collector mirror) to reduce the amount of tin that deposits on said surface.

[0013] Generally, EUV radiation is well absorbed by materials, and therefore parts of an EUV lithography apparatus through which EUV radiation propagates may be maintained under low pressure (near vacuum) conditions. Generally, the radiation source and radiation receiving apparatus may each be provided with a pressure control device (e.g., one or more vacuum pumps). It will be appreciated that both of these pressure control devices may form part of the pressure maintenance apparatus.

[0014] As a result of the hydrogen flow within the housing, and from the dynamic gas lock, the pressure within the housing is generally greater than the pressure outside the housing. This pressure difference across the exit aperture is maintained, at least in part, by the dynamic gas lock. It will therefore be appreciated that such a dynamic gas lock may form part of the pressure maintenance apparatus (in addition to the pressure control devices for each of the radiation source and radiation receiving apparatus).

[0015] The inventors of the present invention have recognised that although a dynamic gas lock and / or device within the housing for stopping or diverting fuel debris propagating towards the exit aperture may reduce the amount of fuel debris passing through the exit aperture towards the radiation receiving device, some fuel debris may still pass through the exit aperture and enter the radiation receiving device. Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have recognised that such fuel debris passing through the exit aperture and entering the radiation receiving device may be accelerated as it passes into the radiation receiving device (e.g. as it passes through a stagnation point), and this acceleration may enable the fuel debris to propagate a significant distance within the radiation receiving device (and may enable the fuel debris to propagate to a reticle of a lithographic apparatus). Advantageously, a system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a deflection device arranged outside the housing and configured to modify the trajectory of such particles exiting the housing through the exit aperture.

[0016] It will be understood that the deflection device being located outside the housing is intended to mean that the deflection device is located in a region of lower pressure than the pressure within the housing.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the deflection device comprises two electrodes disposed outside the housing and proximate the exit aperture, the two electrodes being spaced apart in a direction at least partially across the exit aperture, and a voltage supply operable to maintain a potential difference between the two electrodes. That is, the deflection device may comprise two electrodes disposed outside the housing and proximate the exit aperture, the two electrodes being configured to maintain a potential difference between the electrodes when operable.

[0018] In an embodiment, the voltage supply may be a direct current (DC) voltage supply.

[0019] In some embodiments, the DC voltage supply may be current limited, for example, the maximum current may be set in the range of 0.1-1 A to avoid incidental photocurrents that could cause secondary ionization in the deflection device.

[0020] In an embodiment, the DC voltage supply may be pulsed, and the pulse may be synchronized with the flash of EUV radiation to avoid incidental photocurrents that cause secondary ionization in the deflection device.

[0021] It will be understood that the exit aperture may define an axis of the radiation source. The axis of the radiation source may extend through the exit aperture from inside the housing to outside the housing. The output radiation may propagate in a direction generally along or parallel to this axis. For example, the axis may be the optical axis of the system and may generally coincide with the chief ray of the output radiation. Furthermore, any debris particles propagating through the exit aperture may move generally along or parallel to the axis. The opening of the exit aperture may be generally perpendicular to the axis. It will therefore be understood that two electrodes being spaced apart in a direction at least partially transverse to the exit aperture may mean that the two electrodes are spaced apart in a direction at least partially perpendicular or lateral to the axis of the radiation source.

[0022] When a pulse of output radiation passes through the exit aperture, it may cause a plasma to form in a gas (eg, low-pressure hydrogen gas) in the vicinity of the exit aperture.

[0023] Debris particles near the exit aperture can become charged directly from the output radiation via the photoelectric effect and / or as a result of propagating through the plasma formed by the pulse of output radiation.

[0024] By providing two electrodes positioned outside the housing and maintaining a potential difference between the two electrodes, ions in the plasma will drift toward one of the electrodes and electrons in the plasma will drift toward the other electrode. The ion drift will exert a pressure on debris particles generally between the two electrodes, i.e., in a direction at least partially across the exit aperture. There may be a neutral ion drift pressure, which may exert a force on the debris particles proportional to the area of ​​the debris particles. In addition, there may be a significant charged ion drag force, which may exert a force on the debris particles proportional to an area within the plasma having dimensions of the Debye radius.

[0025] Furthermore, as a result of the potential difference between the two electrodes, the plasma between the two electrodes is depleted, thereby removing the shielding effect of the plasma and supporting an electric field in the plasma-depleted region (adjacent the electrodes). Any charged debris particles in the plasma-depleted region will be subjected to a force directed at least partially across the exit aperture.

[0026] It will be appreciated that in addition to being spaced apart in a direction at least partially transverse to the exit aperture, the two electrodes may be positioned at substantially the same location in a direction generally through the exit aperture (which may be referred to as the axial direction). Such an arrangement may be preferred as it allows for more effective separation of the trajectories of debris particles from the trajectories of the output radiation. Alternatively, the two electrodes may be spaced apart in a direction generally through the exit aperture.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the radiation source comprises an enclosure within the housing, and the arrangement of the enclosure and a first of the two electrodes is such that, in use, the first electrode is at least partially located in the shadow of the enclosure.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the first electrode comprises a first portion and a plurality of fins extending from the first portion, and the first electrode is configured such that, in use, the first portion is positioned substantially within the shadow of the enclosure and the plurality of fins extend from the shadow.

[0029] The first portion of the first electrode may comprise a main portion and a support portion.

[0030] According to an embodiment, a second of the two electrodes is hollow and is arranged outside the optical path of the output radiation, and the first electrode is arranged inside the hollow second electrode.

[0031] Alternatively, the first electrode is as per FIG. 3 (plate + hollow cylinder), but the fins in FIG. 5 extend inward from the hollow cylinder electrode.

[0032] According to some embodiments, both electrodes are positioned substantially outside the optical path of the output radiation, in some embodiments, between 50% and 100% of the two electrodes are outside the optical path of the output radiation.

[0033] The potential difference may be applied directly between the two electrodes, for example, using a single voltage source, or each of the two electrodes may be independently biased to a different voltage, for example, by a different voltage source.

[0034] According to an embodiment, one of the two electrodes is connected to ground and the other of the two electrodes is negatively biased.

[0035] In one embodiment, an AC bias (relative to the grounded chamber containing the illuminator) is applied to one of the two electrodes, while a negative DC bias is applied to the other of the two electrodes. The AC bias is limited to the range of 1-100 V, preferably 1-10 V. This is to increase the electron temperature in the plasma and therefore the charge on particles in the plasma.

[0036] In principle, any suitable form of biasing can be used to apply a potential difference between the two electrodes. It may be desirable to avoid applying a positive bias to the electrodes (i.e., having the electrodes either grounded or negatively biased), as such a positively biased electrode could increase the plasma potential and reduce the lifetime of some optical components in the system.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the voltage supply is operable to maintain a potential difference of the order of 100-1000V between the two electrodes.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the radiation generator is configured to focus at least a portion of the output radiation at an intermediate focus, the intermediate focus being located at or close to the exit aperture, and the two electrodes being located between 10 cm and 30 cm from the intermediate focus.

[0039] According to an embodiment, at least one of the two electrodes comprises a shield configured to reduce the amount of output radiation incident on said at least one of the two electrodes.

[0040] The shield may be floating or connected to ground. The shield may be formed from a metal. The shield may be formed from a material that is robust against plasmas (e.g., hydrogen plasmas) formed by the output radiation. Such a shield, when positioned such that a portion of the output radiation can be incident thereon, may reduce or eliminate induced photocurrent from either of the two electrodes, particularly when such electrode is negatively biased.

[0041] According to an embodiment, at least one of the two electrodes comprises a textured surface configured to reduce scattering of fuel debris generally in a direction from inside the housing to outside the housing.

[0042] For example, fuel debris propagating from inside the housing to outside the housing may travel generally in a direction from inside the housing to outside the housing (e.g., generally along the axis of the system) but may be deflected by the deflection device in a direction generally transverse to this direction. As a result, such fuel debris may strike the surface of the electrode at a grazing incidence angle and be scattered at such a grazing incidence angle that overlaps with the trajectory of the output radiation that propagates further into the radiation receiving device. Advantageously, such scattering can be reduced by providing a textured surface (e.g., a corrugated surface).

[0043] According to an embodiment, at least one of the two electrodes comprises a polished surface configured to reduce absorption of the output radiation incident thereon.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the pressure of the gas in the vicinity of the deflection device is approximately 10 Pa or less.

[0045] The gas may include, for example, hydrogen gas.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the radiation generator comprises a target generator operable to generate a target comprising a target material in a plasma formation region, the plasma formation region being arranged to receive laser radiation to illuminate the target material and thereby generate a plasma that emits output radiation, and further comprising an optical element configured to direct at least a portion of the output radiation towards the exit aperture.

[0047] A radiation source comprising such a radiation generator is sometimes referred to as an LPP radiation source. A particular application of the system of the first aspect is a system comprising such a radiation generator, as conversion of target material to plasma in such a radiation generator typically results in debris particles of the target material (which can be redirected by a deflection device).

[0048] According to an embodiment, the radiation generator is configured to focus at least a portion of the output radiation at an intermediate focus, the intermediate focus being located at or adjacent to the exit aperture.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the output radiation generated by the radiation generator is pulsed.

[0050] According to another embodiment, the deflection device comprises a nozzle device configured, when operable, to output a jet stream of fluid in a direction at least partially across the exit aperture.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the radiation source comprises an enclosure within the housing, the enclosure and nozzle arrangement being configured such that, in use, the nozzle is at least partially located within the shadow of the enclosure.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the nozzle arrangement comprises a plurality of nozzles aligned in a direction from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the nozzle arrangement may be combined with an electrode.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the deflection device further comprises a structure positioned at least partially outside the optical path of the output radiation and arranged in a direction at least partially transverse to the exit aperture, the structure configured to receive particles having a velocity and to reduce the velocity of the particles by at least 30% after receiving the particles.

[0055] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a lithography system comprising a system according to any preceding claim, wherein the radiation-receiving arrangement comprises a lithography apparatus operable to receive output radiation from a radiation source and to form an image of a patterning device on a substrate using said output radiation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0056] [Figure 1] 1 depicts a lithography system comprising a lithographic apparatus and a radiation source. [Figure 2] 2 shows a first cross-sectional view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, which may form part of the lithography system shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 3 shows a second cross-sectional view of the system shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 shows a second cross-sectional view of the system shown in FIG. 3 after some loss of hydrogen plasma, showing the plasma region and the depletion region. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view, in the same plane as FIG. 2, of a system according to another embodiment of the invention, which may form part of the lithography system shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which may form part of the lithography system shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a deflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] Figure 1 shows a lithography system according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprising a radiation source SO and a lithography apparatus LA. The source SO is configured to generate a beam of EUV radiation B and to provide the beam of EUV radiation B to the lithography apparatus LA. The lithography apparatus LA comprises an illumination system IL, a support structure MT configured to support a patterning device MA (e.g. a mask), a projection system PS, and a substrate table WT configured to support a substrate W.

[0058] The illumination system IL is configured to condition the EUV radiation beam B before it is incident on the patterning device MA. As such, the illumination system IL may include a facetted field mirror device 10 and a facetted pupil mirror device 11. The facetted field mirror device 10 and facetted pupil mirror device 11 provide the EUV radiation beam B with a desired cross-sectional shape and a desired intensity distribution. The illumination system IL may include other mirrors or devices in addition to, or instead of, the facetted field mirror device 10 and facetted pupil mirror device 11.

[0059] After being so conditioned, the EUV radiation beam B interacts with the patterning device MA. This interaction results in a patterned EUV radiation beam B'. The projection system PS is configured to project the patterned EUV radiation beam B' onto the substrate W. To that end, the projection system PS may comprise a number of mirrors 13, 14 configured to project the patterned EUV radiation beam B' onto the substrate W held by a substrate table WT. The projection system PS may apply a demagnification to the patterned EUV radiation beam B', so that an image is formed having smaller features than corresponding features on the patterning device MA. For example, a demagnification of 4x or 8x may be applied. Although the projection system PS is shown in Figure 1 as having only two mirrors 13, 14, the projection system PS may include a different number of mirrors (e.g. 6 or 8 mirrors).

[0060] The substrate W may include a previously formed pattern, in which case the lithographic apparatus LA aligns the image formed by the patterned EUV radiation beam B' to the previously formed pattern on the substrate W.

[0061] The radiation source SO shown in FIG. 1 is of a type sometimes referred to as a laser-produced plasma (LPP) source. A laser system 1, which may include, for example, a CO laser, is configured to impart energy via a laser beam 2 to a fuel, such as tin (Sn), provided by a fuel emitter 3. Note that the laser beam 2 may also be referred to as laser radiation 2. While the following description refers to tin, any suitable fuel may be used. The fuel may be, for example, in liquid form, such as a metal or alloy. The fuel emitter 3 may include a nozzle configured to direct tin, for example, in the form of droplets, along a trajectory toward the plasma formation region 4. The fuel emitter 3 may thus be considered a target generator operable to generate a target (e.g., a stream of tin droplets) comprising a target material (e.g., tin) in the plasma formation region 4. The laser beam 2 is incident on the tin in the plasma formation region 4. The application of laser energy to the tin forms a tin plasma 7 in the plasma formation region 4. Upon de-excitation and recombination of the plasma's electrons and ions, radiation including EUV radiation is emitted from the plasma 7.

[0062] Laser radiation 2 may have any suitable wavelength. In some embodiments, laser radiation 2 has a wavelength of about 10 μm, which may be generated by a CO laser. In some embodiments, laser radiation 2 has a wavelength of about 1 μm, which may be generated by a YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) based laser.

[0063] EUV radiation from the plasma is collected and focused by a collector 5. The collector 5 may comprise, for example, a near-normal incidence radiation collector 5 (more generally, a normal incidence radiation collector). The collector 5 may have a multi-layer mirror structure configured to reflect EUV radiation (e.g., EUV radiation having a desired wavelength, such as 13.5 nm). The collector 5 may have an elliptical configuration with two focal positions. A first of these foci may be at the plasma formation region 4, and a second of these foci may be at an intermediate focus 6, as described below.

[0064] The collector 5 can be considered to be an optical element configured to focus at least a portion of the radiation produced by the plasma 7 onto an intermediate focus 6 .

[0065] The laser system 1 may be spatially separated from the radiation source SO. In this case, the laser beam 2 may be passed from the laser system 1 to the radiation source SO using a beam delivery system (not shown), e.g. comprising appropriate redirecting mirrors and / or beam expanders and / or other optics. The laser system 1, the radiation source SO and the beam delivery system may together be considered as a radiation system.

[0066] The radiation reflected by the collector 5 forms an EUV radiation beam B. The EUV radiation beam B is focused at an intermediate focus 6 to form an image of the plasma present in the plasma formation region 4 at the intermediate focus 6. The image at the intermediate focus 6 acts as a virtual radiation source for the illumination system IL. The collector 5 may be considered to be an optical element configured to direct at least a portion of the output radiation (i.e., the EUV radiation beam B) towards an aperture 8. The radiation source SO is configured such that the intermediate focus 6 is located at or close to an aperture 8 in an enclosure 9 of the radiation source SO. The opening 8 in the enclosure 9 may be referred to as an exit aperture 8, and the enclosure 9 may be referred to as a housing 9 that comprises the exit aperture 8.

[0067] The source SO comprises a shield 18 that may be configured to prevent the laser beam 2 from propagating through the opening 8 into the lithography apparatus LA (where it could damage optical components). The shield 18 is supported by the enclosure structure 9 via support bars 19. Together, the shield 18 and support bars 19 form an enclosure 17 for the source SO, which will be described below. The collector 5 is generally in the form of a concave mirror and is configured to collect radiation emitted from the plasma formation region 4 into a solid angle relative to the collector 5. This radiation is reflected and focused to an intermediate focus 6. As a result, within the housing, the radiation beam B is generally in the form of a cone of radiation converging at the intermediate focus 6, the outer edge of which is shown by two lines in Figure 1. However, the enclosure 17 formed by the shield 18 and support bars 19 blocks part of this cone of radiation, so that some part of this cone does not receive radiation from the collector 5.

[0068] It will be understood that the main direction of radiation continuing through a lithography system (which may correspond, for example, to the direction of the chief ray of radiation beams B, B') may be referred to as the optical axis of the system. Unless otherwise stated, as used herein, axial direction is intended to mean the direction along the (local) optical axis, and radial direction is intended to mean the direction perpendicular to and extending through the (local) optical axis. The optical axis of a lithography system close to aperture 8 corresponds to the axis of the converging and diverging cones of radiation.

[0069] The fuel emitter 3, which is configured to receive the laser beam 2 for illuminating the target material, and the plasma formation region 4 may together be considered to form a radiation generator operable to produce output radiation in the enclosing structure 9 and direct at least a portion of that output radiation (i.e., the EUV radiation beam B) through the opening 8. The collector 5 may also be considered to form part of the radiation generator.

[0070] The lithographic apparatus LA may be considered to be a radiation-receiving apparatus that is operable to receive output radiation (ie a beam of EUV radiation B) that is directed through an exit aperture 8 .

[0071] Within the LPP radiation source SO, fuel (e.g., tin) is partially converted into a plasma 7 that emits radiation B. Typically, this process generates fuel debris (e.g., droplets of molten tin). It is desirable to reduce the amount of such fuel debris incident on critical surfaces, such as optical components (e.g., mirrors) within the lithographic apparatus. In particular, it is desirable to prevent fuel debris from propagating from the radiation source SO into the lithographic apparatus LA and depositing on optical components therein. In particular, it is desirable to avoid propagation of such fuel debris to the patterning device MA or reticle of the lithographic apparatus LA, as this will have a significant impact on the image formed on the substrate W by the lithographic apparatus LA (potentially resulting in image defects).

[0072] One mechanism used to reduce the amount of fuel debris that enters the lithographic apparatus LA from the housing 9 of the radiation source SO is to provide a dynamic gas lock near the exit aperture 8. To achieve this, a flow of gas (e.g. hydrogen) is provided from the wall of the housing 9 around the exit aperture 8, generally inward towards the interior of the housing 9. This gas flow acts to direct fuel debris propagating towards the exit aperture 8 back into the housing 9. It is also known to provide devices (e.g. rotating foil traps, etc.) to stop or divert fuel debris within the housing.

[0073] The pressure differential maintained by the dynamic gas lock between the source SO and the illuminator IL allows some gas flow to be directed towards the mirror 10. The neutral and ion drag forces caused by such a flow can accelerate some debris from the SO and direct them towards critical surfaces, so it is desirable to alter the trajectories of such particles to minimize the chance of them reaching the mask MA.

[0074] It is known to provide a flow of hydrogen gas adjacent to a surface within the LPP radiation source SO (eg the surface of the collector mirror 5) to reduce the amount of tin that deposits on said surface.

[0075] Although FIG. 1 depicts the source SO as a laser-produced plasma (LPP) source, any suitable source, such as a discharge-produced plasma (DPP) source or a free-electron laser (FEL), may be used to generate EUV radiation.

[0076] 1, the lithography system further comprises a deflection device 16 disposed outside the housing 9 and configured to modify the trajectories of particles exiting the housing 9 through the exit aperture 8. Such an arrangement is advantageous, as will be described below.

[0077] Generally, EUV radiation is well absorbed by materials, and therefore the parts of an EUV lithography system through which EUV radiation propagates may be maintained under low-pressure (near vacuum) conditions. A relative vacuum, i.e. a small amount of gas (e.g. hydrogen) at a pressure well below atmospheric pressure, may be provided to the source SO, illumination system IL, and / or projection system PS.

[0078] In general, each of the radiation source SO and the lithographic apparatus LA may be provided with a pressure controller (e.g. one or more vacuum pumps). It will be appreciated that both of these pressure controllers may be considered to form part of a pressure maintenance apparatus for the lithographic system. This pressure maintenance apparatus is operable to maintain a pressure difference across the exit aperture 8 such that the pressure within the housing 9 is higher than the pressure outside the housing 9.

[0079] As a result of the hydrogen flow within the housing 9, and from the dynamic gas lock, the pressure within the housing 9 will generally be higher than the pressure outside the housing 9 (i.e. within the illumination system IL). This pressure difference across the exit aperture 8 is maintained at least in part by the dynamic gas lock. It will therefore be appreciated that such a dynamic gas lock may form part of a pressure maintenance apparatus (in addition to the pressure controllers of each of the radiation source SO and the lithographic apparatus LA).

[0080] The present inventors have recognised that although a dynamic gas lock and / or device within the housing for stopping or diverting fuel debris propagating towards the exit aperture 8 may reduce the amount of fuel debris passing through the exit aperture towards the lithographic apparatus LA, some fuel debris may still pass through the exit aperture 8 and into the lithographic apparatus LA. Furthermore, the present inventors have recognised that such fuel debris passing through the exit aperture 8 and entering the lithographic apparatus LA will be accelerated as it passes into the lithographic apparatus LA (e.g. as it passes through a stagnation point), and this acceleration may cause the fuel debris to propagate a significant distance into the lithographic apparatus LA (even causing the fuel debris to propagate to the patterning device MA).

[0081] Particles escaping from the radiation source SO into the lithography apparatus LA may have an initial velocity of the order of 10-100 m / s (e.g., at a stagnation plane separating the higher-pressure radiation source SO from the lower-pressure lithography apparatus LA). A jet of hydrogen gas escaping from the radiation source SO into the lithography apparatus LA may have a velocity of the order of 1000 m / s and may generally propagate along the optical axis of the system towards the faceted field mirror device 10, which may be on the order of 15-150 cm from the intermediate focus 6. A hydrogen jet escaping from the radiation source SO into the lithography apparatus LA may have a velocity of the order of 1000 m / s and a pressure of the order of 10-100 Pa. This increases the velocity of fuel debris particles in this direction. This increase in particle velocity generally depends on the size of the particles.

[0082] Under these conditions (speed 1000 m / s, pressure 10 Pa) in the flow of hydrogen molecules, particles are subjected to molecular drag, which can increase the velocity of particles on the order of 1 μm by approximately 10 m / s, and particles on the order of 0.1 μm by approximately 30 m / s.

[0083] When a pulse of radiation beam B passes through exit aperture 8, hydrogen gas near exit aperture 8 may be ionized and form a plasma. Therefore, hydrogen in the jet escaping housing 9 may be ionized, generating a large ionic drag force. While molecular drag exerts a force on a debris particle proportional to its area, the ionic drag force on a debris particle is proportional to the area within the plasma that has the dimensions of the Debye radius. This ionic drag force results in an increase in velocity of approximately 15 m / s for particles on the order of 1 μm, and approximately 100–300 m / s for particles on the order of 0.1 μm. Therefore, the velocity increase due to ionic drag is significantly larger than that due to molecular drag, especially for small particles on the order of 0.1 μm. The above estimate is valid only as long as the Debye approximation applies, i.e., when the Debye radius is much smaller than the distance to the nearest wall. However, when the plasma dissipates (and no ions are deflected by the particles), the ionic drag force drops to zero.

[0084] Fuel particles from the radiation source SO generally follow the same path as the radiation beam B. The fuel particles are typically hot enough to contain molten tin. The particles themselves may be formed by spitting and therefore may be molten as they leave the surface of the radiation source SO. Furthermore, radiative cooling of these particles is inefficient, and the particles may be further heated by the plasma 7 and its radiation, as well as by direct absorption of EUV and out-of-band radiation. Thus, the fuel particles typically contain molten tin at temperatures on the order of, for example, 300-500°C. These fuel droplets may therefore remain molten for some time as they enter and move through the lithography apparatus. As a result, surface tension gives the fuel droplets springiness, allowing them to bounce off mirrors, such as the faceted field mirror device 10 and faceted pupil mirror device 11 (and possibly other surfaces) like rubber balls. With each bounce there is a substantial heat transfer, so that the moment such a droplet impacts the patterning device MA it may have cooled sufficiently so that it solidifies and is unable to bounce back.

[0085] In this way, debris particles from the source SO can contribute to defects in the patterning device: it is estimated that about 30% of all particles incident on the patterning device originate from the source SO in this way.

[0086] 1 advantageously comprises a deflection device 16 located outside the housing 9 and configured to modify the trajectory of particles exiting the housing 9 through the exit aperture 8. It will be understood that the location of the deflection device 16 outside the housing 9 is intended to mean that the deflection device is located in a region of lower pressure than the pressure within the housing 9.

[0087] Typically, the pressure difference between the source SO and the illuminator IL is on the order of a factor of 5-50. It is advantageous to locate the deflection device in this lower pressure region. Since the deflection device operates in the electrostatic depletion of the plasma caused by the ionization of the gas by EUV, a lower pressure means higher ion mobility (for a given electric field provided by the deflection device) and a lower absolute number of ions produced per EUV flash, both of which contribute to a higher efficiency of the deflection device.

[0088] In some embodiments, one or more electrodes are used to generate ion drag and Coulomb forces that act to separate the trajectories of fuel particles output from the radiation source SO from the path of the EUV radiation beam B. Ion drag is the exchange of momentum between fuel particles and (positive) ions, which are either collected by the (negatively charged) fuel particles or deflected by the (positively charged) fuel particles.

[0089] Next, an example of an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0090] Figures 2 and 3 show a system 20 that may form part of the lithography system shown in Figure 1. Features of system 20 that are equivalent to features shown in Figure 1 and described above share common reference numbers therewith.

[0091] Figure 2 shows part of the radiation source SO and part of the lithographic apparatus LA as shown in Figure 1. In particular, part of the housing 9 of the radiation source SO is shown close to the opening 8 (also called the exit aperture 8). Also shown is part of the lithographic apparatus LA on the opposite side of the opening 8 (i.e. outside the housing 9).

[0092] Figure 2 also shows the typical propagation path of the output radiation beam B, which is focused (by a collector 5, not shown) at an intermediate focus 6 close to the aperture 8. Within the housing, the radiation beam B is generally in the form of a converging cone of radiation, the outer edge of which is shown by two lines in Figure 2. The cone converges at the intermediate focus 6. Downstream of the intermediate focus 6, the radiation beam B is generally in the form of a diverging cone of radiation, the outer edge of which is shown by two lines in Figure 2 (and by a circle in Figure 3). The optical axis 21 of the system 20 in the vicinity of the aperture 8 is also shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0093] An optical axis 21 extends from inside the housing 9 to outside the housing 9 through the exit aperture 8. The output radiation B propagates in a direction generally along or parallel to the optical axis 21. For example, the optical axis 21 of the system 20 may be generally coincident with the chief ray of the output radiation B. Furthermore, any debris particles propagating through the exit aperture 8 may travel in a direction generally along or parallel to the optical axis 21. The opening of the exit aperture can be considered to be generally perpendicular to the optical axis 21.

[0094] The housing 9 of the radiation source SO comprises a plurality of channels 22 through which a flow of gas (e.g., hydrogen gas) is provided. The channels 22 are provided proximate the opening 8 and are oriented such that a flow of gas 24 is directed into the interior of the housing 9, away from the opening. Together, the channels and the gas flow provide a dynamic gas lock in the vicinity of the opening 8. The gas flow 24 acts to force fuel debris propagating towards the exit aperture 8 back into the housing 9.

[0095] Optionally, the source SO may be provided with one or more additional flows of hydrogen gas (not shown) adjacent to a surface within the source SO (e.g., a surface of the collector mirror 5), which may reduce the amount of tin that deposits on said surface.

[0096] The radiation source SO is provided with a pressure controller 26, which may comprise, for example, one or more vacuum pumps. Similarly, the lithographic apparatus LA is provided with a pressure controller 28, which may comprise, for example, one or more vacuum pumps. These two pressure controllers 26, 28 together form part of a pressure maintenance apparatus for the lithographic system. In particular, this pressure maintenance apparatus is operable to maintain a pressure difference across the exit aperture 8 such that the pressure within the housing 9 is higher than the pressure outside the housing 9. For example, the pressure within the housing 9 may be maintained at about 100 Pa, while the pressure outside the housing 8 (e.g., in the illumination system IL) may be maintained at about 5 Pa.

[0097] Also shown is a deflection device 16 positioned outside the housing 9 and configured to modify the trajectory of particles exiting the housing 9 through the exit aperture 8 .

[0098] The deflection device 16 is arranged outside the housing 9 and comprises two electrodes 30 , 32 adjacent to the exit aperture 8 .

[0099] The first of the two electrodes, electrode 30, is positioned within the diverging radiation cone of radiation beam B. In particular, first electrode 30 is located approximately in the center of the radiation cone and includes a main portion 34 that extends along the axis of the radiation cone. Main portion 34 of first electrode 30 is generally cylindrical, but may taper at an angle similar to the angle of the radiation cone. First electrode 30 further includes a support portion 36 configured to support main portion 34. Support portion 36 may be comprised of a rod or a tapered sheet that fills the shadow of the obscuration bar within the hollow cone.

[0100] Although positioned within the radiation cone of the radiation beam B, the first electrode 30 is positioned such that, in use, it is generally located within the shadow of the shielding 17 of the radiation source SO, as will be discussed further below.

[0101] The second electrode 32 of the two electrodes is hollow and is positioned outside the radiation cone of the radiation beam B. Therefore, the second electrode 32 is positioned outside the optical path of the radiation beam B. The second electrode 32 is generally frustoconical, and the angle of the second electrode 32 generally matches that of the cone of radiation SO, forming a generally uniform gap therebetween. The gap may be, for example, on the order of 1 to 10 mm. The first and second electrodes 30, 32 are generally axially aligned and have generally equal axial dimensions.

[0102] In general, it is beneficial to place the electrodes outside the EUV light path or to protect them with a floating (or grounded) shield, as this aims to minimize photocurrent caused by absorbing EUV (and out-of-band) radiation, which can undesirably increase the heat load on the electrodes and / or the amount of electrons and ions in the deflection device.

[0103] The first electrode 30 is disposed within a hollow second electrode 32. To facilitate this, the support portion 36 of the first electrode may extend (generally radially) through an opening 37 in the second electrode 32. The opening 37 may provide a sufficient gap between the two electrodes 30, 32, or may provide insulating material between the two electrodes 30, 32 to prevent contact between the two electrodes 30, 32. Also, a vacuum (a gap filled with low-pressure gas) can act as an insulator between the electrodes if the distance between the electrodes is greater than 10 mm.

[0104] The first and second electrodes 30, 32 are radially separated. Thus, the two electrodes 30, 32 are spaced apart at least partially transversely to the exit aperture 8 (i.e., in a direction generally perpendicular to the optical axis passing through the exit aperture 8). It will be understood that the two electrodes 30, 32 being spaced apart at least partially transversely to the exit aperture 8 may mean that the two electrodes 30, 32 are spaced apart at least partially perpendicularly or transversely to the optical axis 21.

[0105] In this embodiment, the first electrode 30 is connected to a direct current (DC) power supply 38 configured to negatively bias the first electrode 30. Additionally, the second electrode 32 is connected to ground. As a result, a potential difference is maintained between the two electrodes 30, 32. The power supply 38 and the connection between the second electrode 32 and ground can both be considered to form part of a voltage supply operable to maintain a potential difference between the two electrodes 30, 32.

[0106] In other embodiments, other forms of biasing may be used to apply a potential difference between the two electrodes 30, 32. In principle, any suitable form of biasing may be used to apply a potential difference between the two electrodes 30, 32. It may be preferable to avoid applying a positive bias to the electrodes 30, 32 (i.e., having the electrodes either grounded or negatively biased) because such positively biased electrodes would increase the plasma potential of any plasma formed between them, which could shorten the lifetime of some optical components in the system 20.

[0107] The DC power supply 38 is configured to bias the first electrode 30 at a voltage on the order of -100 V to -1000 V, such that the potential difference between the two electrodes 30, 32 is on the order of 100 to 1000 V. For example, the DC power supply 38 may be configured to bias the first electrode 30 at a voltage on the order of -200 V. The potential difference between the two electrodes 30, 32 may be selected to limit the current between the two electrodes 30, 32 to on the order of 0.1 to 1 A. It will be appreciated that independent control of the maximum current may be implemented at any one DC voltage supply. This would suppress any and all peak currents (greater than 0.1 to 1 A) associated with, for example, photocurrent but not extracted ion current.

[0108] Next, the operation of the deflection device 16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0109] As the pulse of radiation beam B passes through exit aperture 8, it causes a plasma 42 to form in a gas (e.g., low-pressure hydrogen gas) in the vicinity of exit aperture 8. Initially, plasma 42 occupies the volume between first electrode 30 and the outer periphery of radiation beam B, as shown in Figure 3.

[0110] Debris particles (e.g. tin debris) in the vicinity of the exit aperture 8 can become charged either directly from the output radiation via the photoelectric effect and / or as a result of propagating through the plasma formed by the pulse of radiation beam B. The dominant process is expected to be that the debris particles acquire a (negative) charge as a result of propagating through the plasma formed by the pulse of radiation beam B. Once the plasma is depleted, this charge becomes "fixed" on the particle.

[0111] As a result of the potential difference between the two electrodes 30, 32, ions in the plasma 42 will drift toward the first (negatively biased) electrode 30, and electrons in the plasma will drift toward the second (grounded) electrode 32. The drift of ions near a charged particle will exert a pressure on the particle in a generally radial direction, in a direction perpendicular to the two electrodes 30, 32, called the ion drag force.

[0112] Furthermore, as a result of the potential difference between the two electrodes 30, 32, a plasma 42 between the two electrodes 30, 32 depletes. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , when a pulse of EUV radiation beam B passes through aperture 8, plasma 42 forms in the volume between first electrode 30 and the outer periphery of the cone of radiation defined by radiation beam B. Once the radiation pulse has passed, plasma 42 may begin to deplete as ions recombine at first electrode 30 and electrons flow into second electrode 32. Plasma 42 begins to deplete at a surface 44 of the plasma region closest to first (negatively biased) electrode 30, forming a depletion region 46 around first electrode 30, as shown in FIG. 4 . As plasma 42 depletes, surface 44 of plasma region 42 closest to first electrode 30 propagates away from first electrode 30. This depletion wave can propagate at a speed of approximately 0.2-1 cm / μs, depending on the density of the plasma (the depletion wave speed is greater in hotter gas, resulting in a lower density and concentration of ions generated with each EUV flash). The temperature of the hydrogen gas in the deflection device may be in the range of 30-300°C.

[0113] It will be appreciated that the electric field strength is zero within the plasma 42. However, the above-mentioned depletion of the plasma 42 removes the shielding effect of the plasma 42, such that an electric field will be supported in the plasma-depleted region 46 (adjacent the first electrode 30). Any charged debris particles in the plasma-depleted region 46 will be subjected to a force at least partially across the exit aperture 8. In particular, this force will be generally between the first electrode 30 and the (receding) surface 44 of the plasma region 42 until the plasma is completely depleted, after which the force will be generally between the first electrode 30 and the second electrode 32. This force may be generally radial and may therefore act to separate any charged debris particles from the trajectory of the radiation beam B.

[0114] In this way, the first and second electrodes 30, 32 are used to locally deplete the plasma induced by the radiation beam B, resulting in a transverse electric field and lower longitudinal and higher transverse ion drag forces, thereby pushing debris particles passing through the aperture 8 out of the optical path.

[0115] The axial position and extent of the two electrodes 30, 32 of the deflection device 16 may be selected based on the following considerations.

[0116] In principle, absent other considerations (see below for some such considerations), it would generally be desirable to position the two electrodes 30, 32 of the deflection device 16 downstream of the stagnation plane separating the high pressure inside the housing 9 from the low pressure outside the housing 9, but as close as possible to the intermediate focus 6. This is because, for a given force magnitude, the earlier a deflection force is applied to the debris particle's trajectory, the higher the probability that the debris particle will be deflected so as not to collide with the next optical component (e.g., the faceted field mirror device 10). In general, by reducing the spacing between the two electrodes, the required bias can be reduced while maintaining the same electric field. The bias needs to be limited to avoid incidental sputtering of the negatively biased electrode with (high-energy) ions.

[0117] It is also generally desirable to make the axial extent of the two electrodes 30, 32 of the deflection device 16 as large as possible in order to maximize the deflection force applied to the debris particle's trajectory, and a longer deflection device means that a longer radial force will be applied to the particle propagating therein, resulting in a larger angular deflection.

[0118] Furthermore, in practice there is a limit to how close the two electrodes 30, 32 of the deflection device 16 can be placed to the next optical element, such as the facetted field mirror device 10. As can be seen from Figure 1, the optical systems in lithography systems are reflective, so there is a limit to how far the deflection device 16 can extend towards the facetted field mirror device 10 without at least partially blocking the radiation beam reflected from the facetted field mirror device 10.

[0119] As mentioned above, for embodiments having an electrode 30 positioned within the diverging light cone of the radiation beam B, it may be desirable for the first electrode 30 to be positioned generally in the shadow of the radiation source SO's obscuration 17. Advantageously, such a positioning reduces the amount of radiation B absorbed by the first electrode 30, reducing unwanted photocurrent.

[0120] To achieve this, it may be desirable for the two electrodes 30, 32 of the deflection device 16 to be positioned near a conjugate plane to the occlusion 17 where a sharp image or shadow of the occlusion 17 is formed. For example, it may be desirable for the two electrodes 30, 32 of the deflection device 16 to be positioned sufficiently downstream of a stagnation plane separating a high pressure inside the housing 9 from a low pressure outside the housing 9 so that a sharp image or shadow of the occlusion 17 is formed.

[0121] In some embodiments, the two electrodes 30, 32 may be positioned within about 10 cm to 30 cm of the intermediate focus 6. If the electrodes are positioned any closer, the shadow of the obscuration 17 will not be sharp enough to avoid significant EUV light absorption by the first electrode 30. In one embodiment, the first and second electrodes 30, 32 may have an axial extent of about 20 cm. The diameter of the second electrode may increase from about 10 cm at the first end to about 20 cm at the second end.

[0122] The first electrode 30 may be positioned so that it is generally located within the shadow of the radiation source SO's shielding 17, although this shadow will generally not be perfectly clear. Therefore, generally, at least some radiation from the radiation beam B may be able to impinge on the first electrode 30. To avoid or at least reduce this, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first electrode 30 may (optionally) comprise a shield 40 arranged to reduce the amount of radiation from the radiation beam B that impinges on the first electrode 30. The shield 40 may be floating or connected to ground. The shield 40 may be formed from a metal. In particular, the shield may be formed from a material that is robust against the plasma (e.g., hydrogen plasma) formed by the radiation beam B. Such a shield 40 may reduce or eliminate induced photocurrent from the first electrode 30, which may be positioned such that some radiation beam B may impinge thereon. This is particularly advantageous in configurations where the first electrode 30 is negatively biased. It should be noted that the shield 40 may be applicable to all of the disclosed embodiments.

[0123] Next, a modification of the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 2 to 4 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 shares many features with the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, and only the differences will be described here.

[0124] 5, in addition to the main portion 34 and the support portion 36, the first electrode 30 further comprises a plurality of fins 48 extending from and supported by the main portion 34. Each of the fins 48 may comprise a plate having a thickness of the order of 200-2000 μm. Each of the fins 48 may extend radially and axially. The fins 48 may absorb only a relatively small portion of the radiation beam B, while serving to accelerate the depletion of the hydrogen plasma 42 formed by the radiation beam B.

[0125] In some embodiments, at least one of the two electrodes 30, 32 comprises a textured surface configured to reduce scattering of fuel debris generally in a direction from inside the housing 9 to outside the housing 9. That is, the textured surface may be configured to reduce scattering of fuel debris generally in an axial direction (e.g., at grazing incidence angles) away from the radiation source SO. A textured surface may be applied in all disclosed embodiments, for example, at least a part of the deflection devices 160 and 1600 may comprise a textured surface.

[0126] For example, fuel debris propagating from the interior of the housing 9 to the exterior of the housing 9 may travel in a generally axial direction from the interior of the housing 9 to the exterior of the housing 9, but may be deflected by the deflection device 16 in a direction generally perpendicular to this axial direction. As a result, such fuel debris may strike the surfaces of the electrodes 30, 32 at a grazing incidence angle and be scattered at a grazing incidence angle such that it overlaps with the trajectory of the radiation beam B propagating further into the lithography apparatus LA. Advantageously, providing a textured surface (e.g. a corrugated surface) can reduce such scattering.

[0127] In some embodiments, at least one of the two electrodes 30, 32 may comprise a polished surface configured to reduce absorption of radiation incident thereon from the radiation beam B. Polished surfaces may be applied in all disclosed embodiments, for example at least parts of the deflection devices 160 and 1600 may comprise polished surfaces.

[0128] The embodiment described above uses two electrodes 30, 32 positioned adjacent to but downstream from the intermediate focus 6. This particular positioning of the two electrodes 30, 32 is particularly advantageous, as will now be discussed.

[0129] Placing electrodes inside the housing 9 of the radiation source SO may not be feasible due to the gas pressure inside the housing 9. For example, the housing 9 may contain hydrogen gas at a pressure of approximately 100 Pa. This is 5 to 50 times greater than the pressure outside the housing 9. Furthermore, there is out-of-band radiation within the housing 9 that is typically emitted from the tin plasma 7 but is not output through the opening 8. As a result, there may be 10 to 50 times more hydrogen plasma within the housing 9 than is generated by ionization. The magnitude of the electric field required to deplete such a high-density hydrogen plasma would exceed the breakdown threshold, resulting in plasma generation rather than plasma dissipation.

[0130] Generally, the pressure of the gas in the vicinity of the deflection device may be about 20 Pa or less, for example about 10 Pa or less.

[0131] Furthermore, electrode placement further within the lithographic apparatus (eg closer to the patterning device MA) will be less effective at avoiding debris from impacting the patterning device MA for the same deflection force.

[0132] It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, different arrangements of electrodes and biasing schemes for those electrodes may be used.

[0133] For example, a potential difference may be applied directly between the two electrodes 30, 32, e.g., using a single voltage source. Alternatively, the two electrodes 30, 32 may be independently biased to different voltages, e.g., by different voltage sources. In an alternative embodiment, the second electrode 32 is negatively biased and the first electrode 30 is connected to ground. Additionally, other bias combinations are possible (preferably, both electrodes 30, 32 are negative). It is desirable to avoid a positive bias, as this increases the plasma potential of the hydrogen plasma and can lead to optical system lifetime issues.

[0134] It will be appreciated that an alternating current (AC) bias, or a combination of AC and DC bias, can be applied to either of the electrodes: the DC voltage is used to dissipate the plasma, while the AC voltage is used to increase the electron temperature within the plasma, and therefore the charge on particles present within the plasma, such that the radial force increases when the particles are located in the plasma depletion region.

[0135] In an alternative arrangement, both electrodes may be provided outside the main path of the radiation beam B (ie outside the main cone of radiation).

[0136] Although specific reference may be made in this text to the use of lithographic apparatus in the manufacture of ICs, it should be understood that the lithographic apparatus described herein may have other applications, including the manufacture of integrated optical systems, guidance and detection patterns for magnetic domain memories, flat panel displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), thin film magnetic heads, etc.

[0137] In an embodiment, the flow nozzle apparatus may be used to create a neutral molecular drag force that acts to separate the trajectories of fuel particles output from the radiation source SO from the path of the EUV radiation beam B. The neutral molecular drag force is the exchange of momentum between the fuel particles and neutral molecules deflected by the fuel particles.

[0138] An example embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0139] FIG. 6 shows a deflection device 160 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is positioned outside the housing 9 and configured to change the trajectory of particles exiting the housing 9 through the exit aperture 8.

[0140] The deflection device 160 is arranged outside the housing 9 and comprises a flow nozzle arrangement 300 adjacent the exit aperture 8 and an adhesive surface structure 320 .

[0141] The flow nozzle apparatus 300 is disposed within the diverging radiation cone of the radiation beam B. In particular, the flow nozzle apparatus 300 comprises a main portion 340 disposed generally at the center of the radiation cone and extending along a major axis of the radiation cone. The main portion 340 of the flow nozzle apparatus 300 may be generally cylindrical, although it may also be tapered at an angle similar to the angle of the radiation cone. The flow nozzle apparatus 300 may further comprise a support portion 360 configured to support the main portion 340.

[0142] The flow nozzle device 300 is configured to output a jet stream of fluid in a direction at least partially transverse to the exit aperture when operable. In one embodiment, the direction may be perpendicular to the optical axis 21. The main portion 340 of the flow nozzle device 300 may comprise a plurality of nozzle holes 303. In some embodiments, the nozzle holes may be uniformly distributed over the surface such that the output jet stream of fluid is generally uniformly distributed in the azimuthal direction of the radiation cone B. The output jet stream of fluid may be a gas, in particular H2. The gas velocity from the flow nozzle device 300 may be on the order of 200-3000 m / s. The gas pressure from the flow nozzle device 300 may be on the order of 5-100 Pa.

[0143] The output jet flow from the flow nozzle device 300 will exert a drag force on the debris particle proportional to the area of ​​the debris particle.

[0144] The drag force exerted on the debris particles is at least partly in a direction transverse to the exit aperture 8. The drag force may be generally radial in the radiation beam cone B and may therefore act to separate any charged debris particles from the trajectory of the radiation beam B. The drag force may be generally radial, thereby pushing debris particles coming through the opening 8 out of the optical path.

[0145] Although positioned within the radiation cone of radiation beam B, as discussed further below, flow nozzle apparatus 30B is generally positioned within the shadow of radiation source SO's obscuration 17. Advantageously, such an arrangement reduces the amount of radiation B that is absorbed by flow nozzle apparatus 300.

[0146] The adhesive surface structure 320 may comprise an adhesive layer for adhering particles, which may include tin. The adhesive surface structure 320 is configured to receive particles having a velocity and subsequently cause the particle to substantially stop or reduce its velocity by at least 30%. The drag force exerted on the debris particle by the output jet stream from the flow nozzle apparatus 300 may be generally radial in the radiation beam cone B towards the adhesive surface structure 320, thereby increasing the probability that the debris particle will be stopped by the adhesive surface structure 320.

[0147] In an embodiment, the adhesive surface structure 320 may be hollow and positioned at least partially outside the optical path of the radiation beam B. The adhesive surface structure 320 may be positioned outside the optical path of the radiation beam B. The adhesive surface structure 320 may be generally frusto-conical, with the angle of the adhesive surface structure 320 coinciding with the cone of radiation SO, forming a generally uniform gap therebetween. The gap may be, for example, on the order of 2 mm. The flow nozzle arrangement 300 and the adhesive surface structure 320 are generally axially aligned and have generally equal axial extents.

[0148] In one embodiment, the flow nozzle apparatus 300 is disposed within a hollow adhesive surface structure 320. To facilitate this, a support portion 360 of the flow nozzle apparatus may extend through the adhesive surface structure 320 (generally radially in the radiation beam cone B). In particular, the support portion 360 may comprise a flow duct for supplying a flow of fluid to the main portion 340 of the flow nozzle apparatus 300.

[0149] The flow nozzle apparatus 300 and the adhesive surface structure 320 are separated in a radial direction of the radiation beam cone B. Thus, the flow nozzle apparatus 300 and the adhesive surface structure 320 are spaced apart in a direction at least partially transverse to the exit aperture 8 (i.e., generally perpendicular to the optical axis 21 passing through the exit aperture 8). It will be understood that the flow nozzle apparatus 300 and the adhesive surface structure 320 being spaced apart in a direction at least partially transverse to the optical axis 21 can mean that the flow nozzle apparatus 300 and the adhesive surface structure 320 are spaced apart in a direction at least partially perpendicular to the optical axis 21 or laterally.

[0150] The flow nozzle apparatus 300 and adhesive surface structure 320 may be positioned within about 10 cm to 30 cm of the intermediate focus 6. If the flow nozzle apparatus 300 is positioned closer than this, the shadow of the obscuration 17 may not be sharp enough to avoid significant EUV light absorption by the flow nozzle apparatus 300. Alternatively (not shown), the flow nozzle apparatus 300 may be positioned outside the optical path of the radiation beam B, and therefore not in the shadow of the obscuration 17. The adhesive surface structure 320 may be applied in all disclosed embodiments.

[0151] In some embodiments, the flow nozzle device 300 of Figure 6 may be combined with the electrodes 30, 32 of Figure 2. That is, the flow nozzle device 300 may be positioned in close proximity to the electrode 30, which may further enhance the pushing effect on the tin particles.

[0152] In some embodiments, magnets may be used to change the trajectory of fuel particles (e.g., tin particles). Indirect forces may be applied to tin particles (solid and / or liquid) via drag forces caused by ions or ion flow (e.g., hydrogen ions) being deflected away from the optical axis. The ion flow is deflected by an applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, the applied magnetic field may be perpendicular to the (neutral gas) flow direction, which is substantially along the optical axis.

[0153] An example embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0154] 7 shows a deflection device 1600 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is positioned outside the housing 9 and configured to modify the trajectory of particles exiting the housing 9 through the exit aperture / opening 8. FIG. 7 shows many of the components also shown in FIG.

[0155] The deflection device 1600 comprises a magnet 52 located outside the housing 9 and proximate the exit aperture 8. An annular Halbach magnet array (cross section) is shown located proximate the intermediate focus 6. The magnet array is fabricated and positioned so that the magnetic field lines are substantially perpendicular to the optical axis (perpendicular to the paper in this example). Deflected ions flow off-axis but still within the image plane. The ions interact with charged tin particles, and due to electrostatic forces between the ions and the charged tin particles, they exert a net drag force that is several orders of magnitude stronger than the drag force of neutral flows. The magnet 52 may be located between 0 cm and 40 cm, preferably between 0 cm and 20 cm, and more preferably between 0 cm and 10 cm from the aperture 8 or intermediate focus 6 to increase deflection efficiency. The magnet 52 may be located outside the optical path of the radiation beam B. Alternatively (not shown), the magnet 52 may be located in the shadow of the radiation source SO's obscuration 17.

[0156] In an embodiment, the system or apparatus 20 comprises a debris collector or trap 99 which can be positioned at least partially outside the radiation B, the debris collector 99 for collecting debris deflected by the deflection device 1600. In the case of the deflection device 160 and the deflection device 1600, the debris collector 99 can be positioned on one side (e.g., in one hemisphere) of the radiation B. For the deflection device 16, the debris collector 99 can be positioned on both sides of the radiation B (e.g., surrounding the radiation B).

[0157] In some embodiments, the magnet 52 of Figure 7 may be combined with the electrodes 30, 32 of Figure 2. That is, the magnet 52 may be positioned closer to the electrodes 30, 32 to further enhance the pushing effect of the tin particles. The magnet 52 may be positioned closer to the aperture 8 or intermediate focus 6 than the electrodes 30, 32 of Figure 2.

[0158] In some embodiments, the magnet 52 of Figure 7 may be combined with the flow nozzle apparatus 300 of Figure 6. That is, the magnet 52 may be positioned closer to the flow nozzle apparatus 300 to further enhance the pushing effect of the tin particles. The magnet 52 may be positioned closer to the opening 8 or intermediate focus 6 compared to the flow nozzle apparatus 300 of Figure 2.

[0159] In some embodiments, the magnet 52 of Figure 7 may be combined with the electrodes 30, 32 of Figure 2 and the flow nozzle apparatus 300 of Figure 6. That is, the magnet 52 may be positioned closer to the electrodes 30, 32 and the flow nozzle apparatus 300 to further enhance the pushing effect on the tin particles. The magnet 52 may be positioned closer to the opening 8 or intermediate focus 6 than the electrodes 30, 32 of Figure 2.

[0160] Although specific reference may be made in this text to the use of lithographic apparatus in the manufacture of ICs, it should be understood that the lithographic apparatus described herein may have other applications, including the manufacture of integrated optical systems, guidance and detection patterns for magnetic domain memories, flat panel displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), thin film magnetic heads, etc.

[0161] Although embodiments of the invention are specifically described herein in the context of a lithography apparatus, embodiments of the invention can be used in other apparatus. Embodiments of the invention may form part of a mask inspection apparatus, a metrology apparatus, or any apparatus that measures or processes objects such as wafers (or other substrates) or masks (or other patterning devices). These apparatus may be generally referred to as lithography tools. Such lithography tools may use vacuum or ambient (non-vacuum) conditions.

[0162] Where the context permits, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, a machine-readable medium may include read-only memory (ROM); random-access memory (RAM); magnetic storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), among others. Furthermore, firmware, software, routines, and instructions may be described herein as performing certain operations. However, it should be understood that such description is merely for convenience and that such operations may, in fact, result from a computing device, processor, controller, or other device executing the firmware, software, routines, instructions, etc., which may cause actuators or other devices to interact with the physical world.

[0163] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The above description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Thus, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the invention as described without departing from the scope of the claims set forth below.

[0164] The embodiments can be further described using the following clauses. 1. A radiation receiving device having an opening operable to receive radiation from a radiation source through the opening; The radiation-receiving device comprises a deflection device configured to change the trajectory of particles reaching the radiation-receiving device through the opening. 2. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the deflection device is configured to modify the trajectory based on one of: - electrostatic, - magnetic, - outputting a fluid flow, - a combination of electrostatic and magnetic, - a combination of electrostatic and outputting a fluid flow, - a combination of magnetic and outputting a fluid flow, - a combination of electrostatic, magnetic and outputting a fluid flow, and / or modifying the trajectory comprises deflecting the trajectory away from an optical axis of the received radiation. 3. The device of clause 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the deflection device is positioned between 0 cm and 40 cm or between 0 cm and 20 cm from the opening. 4. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the deflection device is configured such that, in use, at least a portion of the deflection device is positioned in the shadow of an obscuration, the obscuration being positioned at the radiation source. 5. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the deflection device comprises two electrodes adjacent to the opening, the two electrodes being spaced apart in a direction at least partially across the opening. 6. The apparatus of clause 5, wherein the two electrodes are configured to, in use, deplete plasma in at least a portion of the space between the two electrodes. 7. The apparatus of clause 5 or 6, wherein a first of the two electrodes is configured such that, in use, the first electrode is positioned at least partially in the shadow of an obscuration, the obscuration being positioned at the radiation source. 8. The device of clause 7, wherein the first electrode comprises a first portion and a plurality of fins extending from the first portion, and the first electrode is configured such that, in use, the first portion is positioned substantially within the shadow of the occlusion and the plurality of fins extend from the shadow. 9. The device described in clause 7 or 8, wherein a second electrode of the two electrodes is hollow and positioned outside the optical path of the radiation, and the first electrode is positioned within the hollow second electrode. 10. The apparatus of any of clauses 5 to 9, wherein the two electrodes are both positioned outside the optical path of the radiation. 11. The apparatus of any of clauses 5 to 10, wherein one of the two electrodes is grounded and the other of the two electrodes is negatively biased. 12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises a voltage supply operable to maintain a potential difference between the two electrodes of the order of 100V to 1000V. 13. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the deflection device comprises a nozzle device configured to, when operable, output a jet stream of fluid in a direction at least partially across the opening. 14. The apparatus of any of clauses 13, wherein the nozzle apparatus is configured such that, in use, the nozzle apparatus is at least partially positioned in the shadow of an obscuration, the obscuration being positioned at the radiation source. 15. The apparatus of clause 13 or 14, wherein the nozzle arrangement comprises a plurality of nozzles substantially aligned with the direction of the received radiation. 16. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the deflection device comprises a magnet. 17. The apparatus of clause 16, wherein the magnet is positioned outside the optical path of the radiation. 18. The apparatus of clause 16 or 17, wherein the magnet comprises an annular Halbach magnet. 19. The apparatus of any of clauses 16 to 18, wherein the magnetic field induced by the magnet is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the radiation. 20. The device according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the deflection device comprises one of the following: a combination of the two electrodes according to any one of clauses 5 to 12 and the magnet according to any one of clauses 16 to 19; a combination of the two electrodes according to any one of clauses 5 to 12 and the nozzle device according to any one of clauses 13 to 15; a combination of the magnet according to any one of clauses 16 to 19 and the nozzle device according to any one of clauses 13 to 15; a combination of the two electrodes according to any one of clauses 5 to 12, the magnet according to any one of clauses 16 to 19 and the nozzle device according to any one of clauses 13 to 15. 21. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 20, wherein at least a portion of the deflection device is provided with a shield configured to reduce the amount of radiation incident on the at least a portion of the deflection device. 22. An apparatus according to any of clauses 1 to 21, wherein at least a portion of the deflection device is provided with a textured surface configured to reduce scattering of the particles in a direction from outside to inside the opening of the radiation receiving device. 23. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 22, wherein at least a portion of the deflection device is provided with a polished surface configured to reduce absorption of incident radiation. 24. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 23, wherein the pressure of the gas in the vicinity of the deflection device is approximately 10 Pa or less. 25. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 24, wherein the deflection device further comprises a structure positioned at least partially outside the optical path of the radiation and at least partially along a direction at least partially transverse to the opening, the structure configured to receive particles having a velocity and to reduce the velocity by at least 30% after receiving the particles. 26. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 25, wherein the aperture is proximate to an intermediate focus of the radiation and / or the particles comprise tin. 27. A lithographic apparatus configured to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate, the apparatus comprising an apparatus according to any of clauses 1 to 26. 28. A lithography system comprising an apparatus according to any of clauses 1 to 26 and a radiation source, wherein the radiation-receiving apparatus is operable to form an image of a patterning device on a substrate using the radiation. 29. A device manufactured using an apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 26.

Claims

1. a radiation receiving device having an opening operable to receive radiation from a radiation source through the opening; the radiation receiving device comprises a deflection device configured to change a trajectory of a particle reaching the radiation receiving device through the opening; 13. An apparatus comprising: a deflection device configured such that, in use, at least a portion of the deflection device is located in the shadow of an obscuration, the obscuration being located at the radiation source.

2. The deflection device includes: - static electricity, -Magnetic, - outputting a fluid flow; - combination of electrostatic and magnetic - combination of electrostatic and fluid flow output; - combination of magnetic and fluid flow output; - configured to modify the trajectory based on one of a combination of electrostatic, magnetic and fluid flow outputs; and / or The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein altering the trajectory comprises deflecting the trajectory away from an optical axis of received radiation.

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the deflection device is located between 0 cm and 40 cm or between 0 cm and 20 cm from the opening.

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deflection device comprises two electrodes adjacent to the opening, the two electrodes being spaced apart in a direction at least partially across the opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the two electrodes are configured to, in use, deplete the plasma in at least a portion of a space between the two electrodes.

6. A radiation receiving device having an aperture operable to receive radiation from a radiation source through the aperture, the radiation receiving device comprises a deflection device configured to change a trajectory of a particle reaching the radiation receiving device through the opening; the deflection device comprises two electrodes adjacent the opening, the two electrodes being spaced apart in a direction at least partially across the opening; An apparatus, wherein a first of the two electrodes is configured such that, in use, the first electrode is disposed at least partially in the shadow of an obscuration, the obscuration being disposed at the radiation source.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first electrode comprises a first portion and a number of fins extending from the first portion, the first electrode configured such that, in use, the first portion is disposed substantially in a shadow of the obscuration and the number of fins extend from the shadow, and / or a second of the two electrodes is hollow and disposed outside an optical path of the radiation, the first electrode being disposed within the hollow second electrode.

8. 8. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the two electrodes are both positioned outside the optical path of the radiation and / or one of the two electrodes is grounded and the other of the two electrodes is negatively biased.

9. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device comprises a nozzle device configured to, when operative, output a jet stream of fluid in a direction at least partially across the opening.

10. A radiation receiving device comprising: a radiation receiving apparatus having an opening operable to receive radiation from a radiation source through the opening; the radiation receiving device comprises a deflection device configured to change a trajectory of a particle reaching the radiation receiving device through the opening; the deflection device comprising a nozzle device configured to, when operative, output a jet stream of fluid in a direction at least partially across the opening; An apparatus, wherein the nozzle arrangement is configured such that, in use, the nozzle arrangement is at least partially located in the shadow of an obscuration, the obscuration being located at the radiation source.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the deflection device comprises a magnet.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the magnet is disposed outside of an optical path of the radiation.

13. 13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the magnetic field induced by the magnet is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the radiation.

14. The deflection device includes: A combination of the two electrodes according to any one of claims 4 to 8 and the magnet according to any one of claims 11 to 13; A combination of the two electrodes according to any one of claims 4 to 8 and the nozzle arrangement according to claim 9 or 10; A combination of the magnet according to any one of claims 11 to 13 and the nozzle device according to claim 9 or 10; 13. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising any one of the combinations of the two electrodes according to claim 4, the magnet according to claim 11, and the nozzle arrangement according to claim 9 or 10.

15. A radiation receiving apparatus comprising: a radiation receiving device having an opening operable to receive radiation from a radiation source through the opening; the radiation receiving device comprises a deflection device configured to change a trajectory of a particle reaching the radiation receiving device through the opening; at least a portion of the deflection device is provided with a shield configured to reduce an amount of radiation incident on the at least a portion of the deflection device, and / or at least a portion of the deflection device is provided with a textured surface configured to reduce scattering of the particles in a direction from the outside to the inside of the opening of the radiation receiving device.

16. 16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the aperture is proximate to an intermediate focus of the radiation and / or the particles comprise tin.

17. A lithographic apparatus configured to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate, the apparatus comprising the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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