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Beyond the boundaries of visible light: How does extreme ultraviolet light change our understanding of electrons and matter?
In the rapid development of science and technology, extreme ultraviolet light (EUV), as an emerging optical technology, is redefining our scientific understanding. As a kind of electromagnetic radiation with extremely high energy, EUV has a wavelength range shorter than 121 nanometers and reaches the X-ray range of 10 nanometers. Its energy can range from 10.26 electron volts to 124.24 electron volts. It is widely used in photolithography, Optoelectronic spectroscopy and solar imaging and other fields.
The impact of extreme ultraviolet light on optical technology is undoubtedly revolutionary, opening up new perspectives on the interaction of materials and electronics.
The generation of EUV mainly relies on the deionization of electrons from multivalent cations. In high-energy environments, these electrons have stronger binding energies and can only exist in high-density plasmas. In addition, EUV can also be generated in the solid state using high-order harmonic generation technology. As research deepens, scientists are beginning to devote themselves to exploring the interaction of high-energy electrons and materials, a process that may reveal the potential of a new generation of optical materials.
Generation and application of EUV
In the natural environment, EUV mainly comes from the sun's corona, while in the artificial environment, it is obtained through plasma technology, high-order harmonic generation and other methods. In addition, using synchrotron radiation sources, EUV light can also be generated within a tunable range. In a closed air chamber, a fixed four-wave mixing can still be generated even at wavelengths up to 75 nanometers.
These high-energy radiation can not only improve the processing efficiency of materials, but also enhance the depth of our physical and chemical experiments. For example, when absorbing EUV light, the material releases photoelectrons and secondary electrons due to ionization, a process similar to the absorption of X-rays or electron beams.
The absorption efficiency of EUV radiation is significantly higher than that of long-wavelength radiation, making it exhibit higher heating efficiency in material heat treatment.
Interaction between extreme ultraviolet rays and materials
The absorption of EUV photons and the resulting electronic behavior provides us with a completely new understanding of materials. According to the principles of physics, once EUV photons are absorbed by a material, they will trigger ionization and the generation of charged particles. These charged particles will further affect the surrounding materials. As the process progresses, the kinetic energy of the electrons is continuously reduced, and is eventually released into the material in the form of heat.
This generation process of electron-hole pairs will also form excited states (i.e. excitons) under high energy conditions. In materials with good electrical conductivity, the chemical reactions triggered by this process are compared with other wavelengths. Radiation is more rapid and efficient.
The impact of solar activity on EUV radiation
During different phases of solar activity, the intensity of EUV can vary by as much as 50 times, which directly affects the heating of the troposphere and the production of ozone. Because these changes affect the circulation of the atmosphere, they can have profound effects on climate patterns. According to the latest research, the long-term and short-term effects of this phenomenon will be an important topic in future climate research.
Potential damage from EUV radiation
Although EUV technology has brought benefits to many applications, it cannot be ignored that its abundant energy also brings potential risks of material damage. EUV radiation can cause oxide desorption or charge retention in the device, and these damages will gradually appear during the long-term ionization process. In addition, the accumulation of positive charges caused by EUV radiation can also cause damage to surface materials, and the remaining detached atoms can cause further contamination of optical components.
Although the damage caused by EUV is not easy to detect, its long-term impact may pose significant challenges in technological applications.
Through a deep understanding of extreme ultraviolet light, we can not only promote the development of new materials, but also lay the foundation for semiconductor technology and future optical applications. Today, with the rapid development of science and technology, EUV will undoubtedly become an important key to uncovering the mystery of the interaction between electrons and matter. However, as technology develops, can we find effective ways to deal with the various challenges caused by EUV?
