Gigaphoton, Inc., a major lithography light source manufacturer, announced today that the company has achieved EUV light output equivalent to maximum of 20W for its laser-produced plasma, or LPP light sources for EUV lithography scanners. This result was obtained by irradiating the Sn target with a solid-state pre-pulse laser and a CO₂ laser at 100kHz. An average EUV output of 10W was confirmed during operation. Considering that the current commercially accepted EUV output levels are around 10W, the results demonstrated by Gigaphoton represents that a critical milestone has been reached for pre-production level output.

Gigaphoton has focused on developing high output, stable, and economical LPP light sources since 2002. Since that time, Gigaphoton has introduced several unique technologies including the development of on-demand tin droplets generator with droplets measuring less than 20μm, the combining of short wavelength solid-state pre-pulse lasers and CO₂ lasers as a main pulse and the utilization of magnetic field for debris mitigation.

The unique LPP light source technology introduced by Gigaphoton extends the lifetime of droplet generators by utilizing ultra-small tin droplets on-demand, reducing downtime and cost. In addition, high EUV output conversion efficiency has been achieved through the optimized combination of short wavelength solid-state pre-pulse laser and CO₂ laser as the main pulse. This technology contributes to the real possibility of achieving efficient, high output EUV light sources. In order to maximize the life of the collector mirror, a superconducting magnet is used to generate a powerful magnetic field that guides the unwanted debris resulting from the thermal expansion of the tin droplets towards the tin catcher. This results in further reduction of cost and downtime.

"The fact that our unique LPP light source technology is now able to achieve the level of EUV output matching that of today's pre-production performance, proves that our vision for high output, low running cost, stable LPP light sources are indeed achievable," said Hitoshi Tomaru, President and CEO of Gigaphoton. "Our efforts will help to bring the industry closer to realizing mass production level EUV lithography scanners. We are making firm progress towards our entry into the EUV light source business – focusing on technology development to accommodate the future industry needs."

The latest details of Gigaphoton's LPP light source technology will be presented at the SPIE Advanced Lithography 2013, being held in San Jose, California from February 24 through the 28.  Gigaphoton has developed and delivered DUV laser light sources used by major semiconductor chipmakers in the Pan-Asian, US and European regions since its founding in 2000.