Patent · US Active

Droplet detector and extreme ultraviolet light generating apparatus

US10271414B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
0References
8Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateSep 7, 2017
Grant dateApr 23, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 7, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG21K2201/06
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The stability of operations of an EUV light generating apparatus is improved. A droplet detector may include: a light source unit configured to emit illuminating light onto a droplet, which is output into a chamber and generate extreme ultraviolet light when irradiated with a laser beam; a light receiving unit configured to receive the illuminating light and to detect changes in light intensities; and a timing determining circuit configured to output a droplet detection signal that indicates that the droplet has been detected at a predetermined position within the chamber, based on a first timing at which the light intensity of the illuminating light decreases due to the droplet being irradiated therewith and a second timing at which the light intensity of the illuminating light increases.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.