We report performance parameters of a robust, 50 W, high repetition rate amplified ArF excimer laser system with FWHM bandwidth of less than 0.25 pm, 95% energy content bandwidth of less than 0.55 pm, and ultra-low ASE level. Proprietary design solutions enable stable operation with a substantial reliability margin at this high power level. We report on characterization of all the key parameters of importance for the next generation microlithography tools, such as spectrum and dose control stability, in various operating modes.
Today the molecular fluorine (F2) laser emitting at a wavelength of 157 nm represents the strongest commercially available coherent light source in the vacuum-ultraviolet spectral range. Lambda Physik produces a broad variety of F2-Lasers which cover a wide range of output power (from less than 1 W to more than 20 W), repetition rate (from less than 100 Hz to more than 4 kHz) and single pulse energy (from less than 1 mJ to more than 30 mJ). The parameters of each of these kinds of F2-lasers are designed and suitable for specific fields of application. In the paper we will review the main parameters of these different types of F2-lasers, compare their special features and discuss the principle applications they are used for. The low energy, medium repetition rate is basically used for metrology and calibration tasks, the high energy or high repetition rate and high power F2-laser systems are mainly used for material investigations and in a growing extent for 157 nm-micromachining. Lithography tools use the high repetition rate, high power single-line F2-laser systems. All of these scientific or industrial applications take advantage of the unique properties of the 157 nm radiation, i.e. the ultra-short wavelength of emission and the very high photon energy of nearly 8 eV. Thus, very precise and fine microstructuring in the micrometer range is possible and the 157 nm optical lithography is on target for critical dimensions of integrated circuits below 70 nm. The short pulse duration and high photon energy also enables efficient and exactly located icroscopic ablation of most critical materials without thermal impact on the surrounding area. In the last part of the paper some recent results on F2-laser development and an outlook on future products will be given.
According to the ITRS-Roadmap, the 157 nm wavelength of the F2-laser is the most likely solution to extend the optical lithography for production of ICs with critical dimensions below 70 nm down to the 50 nm node. This requires high power, high repetition rate F2-lasers with highest reliability, operating in the power range of more than 40 W at repetition rates of at least 4 kHz. In the recent three years strong efforts have been done in order to investigate and develop all kind of materials, technologies and devices which are necessary to introduce the 157 nm lithography for high volume mass production in the year 2004/5. Towards this road Lambda Physik has developed a 4 kHz line selected F2-laser with an output power of 20 W meeting the spectral performance requirements and therefore suitable for pilot 157 nm scanner. In order to reach an output power of 40 W under retention of the required spectral performance, we are now concentrating on the output power increase which comprises a new tube design, a modified discharge and charging circuit. In this paper the laser performance data which has been verified and measured by existing and improved 157 nm metrology as well as new findings on general F2-laser properties at high repetition rate, high power operation will be discussed. The prototype 4 kHz line selected F2-laser gains benefit from the outstanding long term reliability of the resonator optics. The field proven NovaLine F2020 optics modules are only slightly modified for 4 kHz operation. Lambda Physik will present appropriate reliability data which had been confirmed from field application showing laser tube and optical modules life times passing 5 Bio shots at 2 kHz repetition rate operation.
Excimer lasers are widely used as the light source for microlithography scanners. The volume shipment of scanner systems using 193nm is projected to begin in year 2003. Such tools will directly start with super high numerical aperture (NA) in order to take full advantage of the 193nm wavelength over the advanced 248nm systems. Reliable high repetition rate laser light sources enabling high illumination power and wafer throughput are one of the fundamental prerequisites. In addition these light sources must support a very high NA imaging lens of more than 0.8 which determines the output spectrum of the laser to be less than 0.30 pm FWHM. In this paper we report on our recent progress in the development of high repetition rate ultra-narrow band lasers for high NA 193nm microlithography scanners. The laser, NovaLine A4003, is based on a Single Oscillator Ultral Line-narrowed (SOUL) design which yields a bandwidth of less than 0.30pm FWHM. The SOUL laser enables superior optical performance without adding complexity or cost up to the 4 kHz maximum repetition rate. The A4003's high precision line-narrowing optics used in combination with the high repetition rate of 4 kHz yields an output power of 20 W at an extremely narrow spectral bandwidth of less than 0.30 pm FWHM and highest spectral purity of less than 0.75 pm for the 95% energy content. We present performance and reliability data and discuss the key laser parameters. Improvements in the laser-internal metrology and faster regulation control result in better energy stability and improved overall operation behavior. The design considerations for line narrowing and stable laser operation at high repetition rates are discussed.
According to the ITRS-Roadmap, the 157nm wavelength of the F2-laser is the most likely solution to extend the optical lithography for production of ICs with critical dimensions below 70nm down to the 50nm node. The introduction of the 157nm lithography for high volume mass production requires high power, high repetition rate F2-lasers operating in the power range of more than 40W or at repetition rates of more than 4kHz. To meet the narrow time gap for an introduction of the full-field 157nm-scanner systems for real production in the year 2004/5 the community have to solve several challenging issues even in the laser section. F2-laser systems are needed which completely fulfill all specifications of a lithography light source, either for a refractive or a catadioptic projection optics. Verification and precise measurement of the key laser parameters in the VUV usually requires a specific development of the metrology, necessary for this task. In this report we present the progress which had been achieved in the development of high repetition rate high power single-line F2 lasers for catadioptic lithography application. The key features of a F2-laser > 4kHz will be demonstrated. We will also review the main parameters and the performance data from the field of the standard lithography-grade F2020 a 2kHz system which is already applied for pilot scanner tool design. Some improvements of these systems with regard to single line power, dose stability, polarization and gas life will be shown and reliability data from the field will be reviewed. Critical dependence of the spectral properties of the F2-laser emission at 2 kHz and 4 kHz will be discussed. Some new investigations on the coherence properties of the Fluorine laser are also implemented.
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