Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: The Evactron Decontaminator from XEI Scientific cleans carbon contamination with hydrogen

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XEI Scientific's Evactron E45 decontamination system for lithographic applications

Abstract:
XEI Scientific Inc, maker of the popular EVACTRON® Plasma Cleaning System for electron microscopes and other vacuum chambers, reports the use for cleaning carbon decontamination using hydrogen.

The Evactron Decontaminator from XEI Scientific cleans carbon contamination with hydrogen

Redwood City, CA | Posted on April 5th, 2011

XEI Scientific, Inc. continues to expand the uses of the Evactron® E45 Decontamination system. A presentation by Dr. Gabe Morgan at the SPIE Advanced Lithography meeting in early March showed that using atomic hydrogen created by the Evactron plasma is effective in cleaning carbon contamination from EUV optics.

For the semiconductor industry to continue making smaller features, lithographic systems are moving to shorter wavelengths such as EUV and the very elaborate and expensive optics required may be damaged by oxygen cleaning. Using the Evactron Plasma Cleaning system with hydrogen gas has produced atomic hydrogen and been successful in removing hydrocarbon contamination from EUV mirrors. Cleaning rates were seen in the nanometers per minute range and at distances of up to 30 cm from the remote plasma source.

Work is continuing both at XEI and with selected partners in the field to optimize the system parameters for well characterized and reliable downstream plasma cleaning for this important solution for future semiconductor production.

XEI's rack-mounted models can be embedded into SEMs, FIBs, and other electron beam systems. They remove carbon contamination such as hydrocarbons or atmospheric contamination. All Evactron De-Contaminator (D-Cs) Systems use RF plasma to produce oxygen radicals that flow downstream through the chamber, removing contamination. They are also safe for use on X-ray windows and are delivered with a free 5 year limited warranty and factory repair service.

XEI continues to develop better support for its clients worldwide. New partners have been appointed for countries in Europe, China and Latin America. Please visit the company's website for the latest details, www.evactron.com.

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About XEI Scientific, Inc.
XEI Scientific Inc. invented the Evactron De-Contaminator in 1999 as the first plasma cleaner to use a downstream cleaning process to remove carbon from electron microscopes. A proprietary plasma source uses air to produce oxygen radicals for oxidation of carbon compounds for removal by the pumps. Carbon-free-vacuum produces the highest quality images and analytical results from SEMs and other vacuum analytical instruments. XEI innovations include a unique RF plasma generator, a patented RF electrode, and easy start programmed plasma cleaning. All XEI products come with a 5 year warranty and are compliant with CE, NRTL, and Semi-S2 safety standards. XEI offers a variety of Evactron systems to meet user needs. For more information on products and services offered by XEI Scientific, Inc., see their website (www.evactron.com).

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