A method for generating extreme ultraviolet radiation and an extreme ultraviolet light source device

摘要

To achieve pulse-stretched EUV radiation without putting a large heat load on electrodes or requiring sophisticated control, a pulsed power is supplied between a first electrode and a second electrode provided inside a chamber to form a narrow discharge channel therebetween. A laser beam from a laser source irradiates high temperature plasma material to form low temperature plasma gas having an ion density of approximately 10 17 to 10 20 cm -3 which is supplied to a narrow discharge channel formed between the electrodes. Electric discharge acts on the low temperature plasma gas to raise the electron temperature, resulting in high temperature plasma. As a result, EUV radiation is produced. Since the low temperature plasma gas is continuously supplied to the discharge channel, the pinch effect or confining effect of its self-magnetic field is repeated, resulting in the continuation of EUV radiation.