Fluoride Glasses for 193 nm Optics

Abstract
Aluminum fluoride based fluoride glasses were evaluated in comparison with silica glass for their potential for use in 193 nm lithography optics. A pure fluoride glass and fluoride glasses containing a small amout of phosphate exhibit UV absorption edges shorter than that of silica glass. Their reflection spectra in the vacuum UV region also indicate that they have wider band gaps than silica glass, suggesting that they are promising materials for 193 nm optics. However, strong induced absorption in the UV region was observed under ArF excimer laser exposure, of which the absorption bands were attributed to photo-induced oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ and formation of electron trapped centers on [ PO4] groups. It is important to keep the contents of both transition metal impurities and phosphate as low as possible in fluoride glasses intended for use in 193 nm lithography optics.

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