Technology Focus EUV and Plasma Technology

EUV and Plasma Technology

Fraunhofer ILT researches and uses plasma technology to provide intense sources of short-wave radiation in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or soft X-ray range. In addition to application-adapted plasma-based sources, it develops suitable optical systems for the efficient use of radiation in industry or research.

EUV technologies can be applied, for example, in (X-ray) microscopy, structuring or lithography on the nanometer scale, such as in mask production or inspection in semiconductor production, in the characterization of optics, in contamination studies or in the development of new photoresists. In the technology focus “EUV and Plasma Technology,” Fraunhofer focuses its research and development, among others, on providing radiation with a wavelength of 13.5 nm for chip production in the semiconductor industry, and on developing compact systems that are also suitable for direct process monitoring.

EUV spectrometers can be used to determine the reflectance of material samples and nanostructured samples, among other things. Optical constants and other geometric and chemical properties of the investigated samples can be reconstructed using model-based methods. These properties include structural dimensions of periodic surface structures, layer thicknesses and roughnesses of multilayer systems as well as the stoichiometry and density of materials. Microscopy with radiation from the EUV range or with soft X-rays also makes it possible to examine biological samples at high-resolution.

Experimental setup of an EUV spectrometer.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Experimental setup of an EUV spectrometer.

In the field of environmental technology, Fraunhofer ILT develops plasma-based processes for the efficient sorting of old electronics or metal scrap and for wastewater treatment.

Fraunhofer ILT has many years of experience and comprehensive know-how in the field of EUV and plasma technology and develops efficient and reliable laser methods and systems for customers from industry and research.

Find out more about our range of services on the websites linked in the blue box.

Project results

Reports from the last few years in the field Laser Measurement Technology and EUV Technology