Inductively coupled plasma light source with direct gas injection

Abstract

An ultraviolet light source with direct feed gas injection includes a chamber comprising a plasma confinement region and defining an aperture adjacent to the plasma confinement region that passes light generated by the plasma. A magnetic core is positioned around the plasma confinement region and is configured to generate a plurality of plasma current loops that converges in the plasma confinement region during operation. A feed gas injector is coupled to a gas port in the chamber and has an output that is positioned proximate to a boundary of the plasma confinement region so that the feed gas injector provides a feed gas to the plasma confinement region that creates a differential pressure in the plasma confinement region. A high voltage region is coupled to the plasma confinement region. An exhaust port is configured to be coupled to a pump that controls a pressure in the chamber.