New laser plasma source for extreme-ultraviolet lithography

As the demands of lithographic fabrication of computer chips push toward ever-decreasing feature sizes, projection extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lithography becomes an increasingly attractive technology. The radiation source of choice for this approach is a laser plasma with a high repetition rate. We report an investigation of a new candidate laser plasma source for EUV lithography that is based on line emission from ice-water targets. This radiation source has the potential to meet all the strict requirements of EUV conversion, debris elimination, operation, and cost for a demonstration lithographic system.