DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

LINKS

Home
People
Research
Publications
Teaching
Links
e-mail

       Basics: Stimulated processes in hydrocarbon dissociaton
         at model multilayer mirror surfaces

One of the most promising methods for next generation electronic device manufacturing is extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, which uses 13.5 nm wavelength radiation generated from plasma-based sources. Buildup of reacted contamination layers during EUV exposure leads to loss of reflectivity of the optics and results in unacceptable losses in lithographic system throughput. Capping layers of ruthenium films (~2 nm thick) are found to extend the lifetime of Mo/Si multilayer mirrors (MLM) used in EUV lithography application. However, reflectivity of even Ru-coated MLM degrade in time during exposure to EUV radiation. Ruthenium surface is chemically reactive and is very effective as geterogeneous catalyst. Our goal is to provide insights into the fundamental physical processes that affect the reflectivity of Ru-coated Mo/Si MLM exposed to EUV radiation.

       Recent Highlights:

Recent studies are related to the thermal and electron-induced interactions of model background gases (toluene and benzene vapors) with the Ru surface. A low energy electron source (100 eV) is used to simulate radiation excitations on the surface produced by EUV photons. Heating of adsorbed hydrocarbons leads to a stepwise dehydrogenation and buildup a self-limited carbon monolayer. Electron bombardment of the Ru surface in the presence of gas phase hydrocarbons results in accumulation of carbon or carbonaceous species, which depends on gas pressure and the surface temperature. Graphene monolayer and bilayer formation on Ru(0001) is examined as a possible way to reduce the surface contamination rate. We found that in a case of high electron flux, when the adsorption of hydrocarbons is rate-limiting parameter, the carbon rate is invariant to the surface morphology (Fig 1). However, in a case of low irradiation density, when the electron flux is rate-limiting parameter, graphene monolayer is shown to exhibit its protective properties by slowing down carbon accumulation at initial stage (Fig. 2).

  

Figure 1. Carbon film thickness as a function of electron irradiation dose for the electron induced reaction in the presence of toluene vapor at high electron current density.

Figure 2. Normalized Ru 3d XPS spectra illustrating the electron induced C accumulation on (a) carbon/Ru surface and (b) graphene/Ru surface at low current density in the presence of toluene vapor. The spectra are ordered from bottom to top as related to clean surface, precovered layer and resulting layer, respectively. The starting point of toluene exposure is also marked with the dashed line.

       Recent Publications                                                                       (back to top)