Optimization and stabilization of a compact laser-plasma EUV source based on pulsed Xe/He double-stream gas jets

Y Yichi Yao (Department of Advanced Optical and Microelectronic Equipment, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201800,) B Boyu Wang (Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China) C Chengnan He (Department of Advanced Optical and Microelectronic Equipment, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201800,) W Wenhua Wang G Gang Xin

Abstract

We present our progress of a compact laser-plasma extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source based on Xe/He double-stream gas jets irradiated by a 700-mJ Nd:YAG laser. The source was characterized using a flat-field spectrometer, an absolutely calibrated EUV energy meter, and a pinhole camera imaging system. A Maximum single-pulse EUV intensity of 2.36 mJ was achieved at 13.5 nm (2% bandwidth, 2π sr), corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 0.34%. Meanwhile, the plasma size was reduced to a length of 560 μm and a diameter of 160 μm when observed at a 90° angle relative to the laser. An intensity stability of 0.52% (1σ, 100-pulse window) was achieved over 3000 pulses when stabilizing the back pressure of the Xe gas with a pressure controller. This EUV source is applicable to various EUV metrology applications.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 139, Issue 16
Published April 28, 2026
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (5)

Y

Yichi Yao

Department of Advanced Optical and Microelectronic Equipment, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201800,

B

Boyu Wang

Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China

C

Chengnan He

Department of Advanced Optical and Microelectronic Equipment, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201800,

W

Wenhua Wang

G

Gang Xin