Excimer lasers are a critical technology for the $400 billion annual market of manufactured integrated circuits.
Other uses of excimer lasers include medical applications such as laser eye surgery and micro-machining industrial
applications. Ultraviolet laser mirrors are used for beam steering, therefore high reliability is desired for such
commercial industrial applications. A laser damage competition of excimer mirror coatings creates the opportunity
to survey private industry, governmental institutions, and university labs allowing a direct laser resistance
comparison of samples tested under identical conditions. The major requirement of the submitted coatings was a
minimum reflectance of 97% at 193 nm at normal incidence. The choice of coating materials, design, and
deposition method were left to the participant. Damage testing was performed with a 193 nm excimer laser at a
pulse length of 13 ns. A double blind test assured sample and submitter anonymity so only a summary of the
deposition process, coating materials, layer count and spectral results are presented. In summary, a 70× difference
was seen in the twelve submitted mirror samples, with the highest laser resistant sample being deposited by resistive
heating and composed of three materials (LaF3, AlF3, & MgF2). Laser resistance was strongly affected by substrate
cleaning, coating deposition method, and coating material selection whereas layer count had a minimal impact.
Significant effort is pursued for the development and optimization of lithography grade materials aiming for ultra-low
optical losses. Nowadays, very sophisticated crystal growing techniques are available. The surface finish of these DUV
substrates has to be considered in an analogous manner, as the performance of thin film optical coatings may directly be
influenced by the surface composition.
Using laser calorimetry according to ISO 11551, the
treatment-dependent surface contribution to the overall absorption
of lithography grade substrate materials is deduced. The sensitivity enhanced test setup allows for a detailed study at
ultra-low fluences - typical for current deep ultraviolet lithography applications. The results on absorption measurements
are supported by an innovative surface qualification method, deriving both, characteristics on roughness and near surface
stoichiometry, which are the footprints of applied polishing methods and, further, handling conditions on the one hand
side, and a consequence of cleaning procedures and dose dependent exposure to DUV-radiation on the other side.
In nanosecond laser damage investigations, the specific defect density in the optical component or thin film plays the key
role in triggering optical breakdown. UV irradiation can induce additional defects in optical materials before the
damaging event takes place. This increased defect density can even be the main cause for UV laser damage as shown
before in fused silica.
Moving on to oxide thin films, this contribution will present studies on SiO2, Al2O3, and
HfO2 ion beam sputtered
coatings. Pure material single layers as well as composite material single layers comprised of two oxides have been
investigated concerning their tendency to generate additional defects resulting from UV laser irradiation. Within this
work, tests at 355 nm and 266 nm have been performed and are compared.
High reflecting multilayer coatings play a key role for many applications of pulsed Nd:YAG high power lasers in
industry and science. In the present contribution, improvements in the optical properties and the radiation resistance of
high reflectors for 355nm and 1064nm wavelength on the basis of mixture materials are discussed. Within a co-operation
between the LASEROPTIK GmbH and the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V., several deposition processes including Ion
Beam Sputtering, Magnetron Sputtering, and Electron Beam Evaporation could be addressed for this study. The selected
material combinations HfO2+ZrO2/SiO2, HfO2+Al2O3/SiO2, HfO2+SiO2/SiO2 and HfO2/SiO2 were deposited using a
zone target assembly for the IBS technique or defined material mixtures for the evaporation process. Single layers of the
applied mixtures were analyzed by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy to correlate the optical constants with the atomic
compositions quantified by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
In addition to pure material reference mirrors and reflecting multilayer coatings with high index material mixtures, also
interference coatings consisting of nanolaminates as well as multilayer systems with refractive index profiles were
produced. The laser induced damage thresholds at 1064nm wavelength for nanosecond pulse durations were measured in
a 1000on1 experiment complying with the standard ISO11254. For the 355nm high reflectors, the radiation resistance
was determined in a 10000on1 procedure, furthermore, the radiation-induced absorption was measured by laser
calorimetry according to ISO11551. Finally, the layer interfaces and the amorphous microstructure of selected
multilayers were analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to obtain detailed information about possible
partial crystallinity. The results are interpreted in the context of former investigations on the power handling capability of
coating systems involving material mixtures.
A reliable and compact EUV-spectrometer adapted for the broadband analysis of curved EUV-optics for near normal
incidence applications will be presented. Using a specific design for the specimen holder, the limits of both types of
samples, convex and concave, can be verified. The capability of the device is confirmed by investigations in the spectral
reflectivity of a single EUV-multilayer mirror deposited on a silicon wafer. Its radius of curvature (ROC) is continuously
adjustable, providing a direct comparison of the detected peak reflectivity, peak location and spectral bandwidth in
dependence on its curvature. The range of curvature applied is in compliance with optics specifications of current
projection systems for EUV-lithography.
The paper presents results of investigations in evaporated LaF3-MgF2 and LaF3-AlF3 classical high-reflecting
multilayers deposited on super-polished CaF2 substrates. In addition to typical spectroscopic inspections up to
the band edge of fluoride substances in the VUV spectral range, the work is dedicated to the determination
of laser-induced damage threshold at moderate pulse numbers for the wavelength 193 nm. Further on, dose
dependent irradiation tests are performed well below the fluence level of damage onset indicating changes for the
spectral transfer functions. These experimental observations are discussed in order to find a correlation to the
characteristic damage behavior of both material combinations.
In contrast to the standard evaporation process, partial-reflecting fluoride coatings have been deposited under
ion-assisted conditions with fluorine gas. Results of damage tests will show excellent performance to high fluence
levels.
After several investigations in laser induced damage behavior of oxide mixtures of different compositions, also
HfO2 could be steplessly mixed with SiO2. A study of SiO2/HfO2 IBS single layers and high reflectors is presented.
Damage testing has been performed at 800nm and 355nm on an extensive set of single layers employing different
mixture ratios of silica and hafnia. The analysis of the response of optical single layer coatings to femtosecond
and nanosecond pulse exposure provides input for further coating designs, in particular for the optimization in
respect to the damage threshold properties. A deeper understanding of the damage mechanisms is gained by
comparing the ns and fs pulse results as a function of the mixing ratio.
In order to determine the current status of thin film laser resistance within the private, academic, and government sectors,
a damage competition was started at the 2008 Boulder Damage Symposium. This damage competition allows a direct
comparison of the current state of the art of high laser resistance coatings since they are tested using the same damage
test setup and the same protocol. In 2009 a high reflector coating was selected at a wavelength of 786 nm at normal
incidence at a pulse length of 180 femtoseconds. A double blind test assured sample and submitter anonymity so only a
summary of the results are presented here. In addition to the laser resistance results, details of deposition processes,
coating materials and layer count, and spectral results will also be shared.
It has been well known that laser-induced damage in optical thin films depends on the applied test laser beam
diameter, if the damage initiation is dominated by inclusions and defects. This correlation has been subject
of numerous discussions and has also been implemented in the corresponding ISO standard (ISO 11254-2).
There, a minimum beam diameter is advised which further reduction affects the result significantly. Previous
work indicates, depending on sample properties, a constant damage threshold towards large beam diameters.
However, experimental data for this behavior is limited. This paper presents a detailed investigation within the
ns-timescale on a series of four comparable sample sets of HfO2 /SiO2 high reflectors. The respective samples
are designed and manufactured for ISO damage testing at 1ω, 2ω, 3ω, and 4ω irradiation of the Nd:YAG laser.
The utilization of nanostructured materials for modern applications gained more and more importance during the last few
years. As examples super-fluorescent quantum dots, the use of carbon nano tubes (CNTs) in microelectronics,
electrospun fibers in filter membranes, thin film coatings for solar cells, mirrors or LEDs, semiconductor electronics, and
functionalized surfaces may be named to address only a few topics. To optimize the systems and enable the full range of
capabilities of nanostructures a thorough characterization of the surface-near topography (e.g. roughness, thickness,
lateral dimension) as well as of the chemical composition is essential.
As a versatile tool for spatial and chemical characterization XUV reflectometry, scatterometry and diffractometry is
proposed. Three different experimental setups have been realized evaluating spectral resolved reflectance under constant
incidence angle, angular resolved reflectance at a constant wavelength, or a combined approach using laboratory scaled
XUV sources to gain insight into chemical composition, film thickness and surface/interface roughness. Experiments on
near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) at the carbon K-edge have been performed. The
investigated systems range from synthetic polymers (PMMA, PI) over organic substances (humic acids) to biological
matter (lipids), delivering unique spectra for each compound. Thus NEXAFS spectroscopy using a table-top XUV source
could be established as a highly surface sensitive fingerprint method for chemical analysis. Future extended experiments
will investigate the silicon L-edge where e.g. silicon oxide interlayers below high-k or other nano-layered material on Sisubstrates
depict a technological important group of composite systems.
The aim of this work is the optimization of the resonator optics of excimer laser systems to achieve longer lifetimes and
to reduce the cost of ownership. The degradation after long-term exposure to high photon fluxes (typically 80 mJ/cm2 at
the ArF laser wavelength of 193 nm was analyzed. Based on the investigations, a model describing the process of the
deterioration of the out-coupling partial reflector was developed. It was found that contamination of the optics by the
laser's discharge electrodes leads to absorption losses on the surface facing the inside of the resonator. As a consequence,
the laser irradiation causes a temperature gradient in the CaF2-substrates which leads to crystal cleavage and braking of
the optics. Defects on the outward surface are the origin for the growth of Calcite crystals and organic compounds by
photo induced chemical reactions of the substrate material and contaminations in the purge gas. It was demonstrated that
the lifetime of the resonator optics can be substantially increased by adapted optical designs and coatings.
With respect to laser-based applications below 200 nm, fluoride materials used as layer and substrate materials
are most prominent in optical components for beam shaping, steering and focussing. High band gaps and comparatively
low extinction coefficients are the outstanding parameters of these components.
However, fluoride coatings are exceedingly sensitive concerning surface contamination, handling, ambient atmosphere,
humidity and total energy load.
A set of fluoride layer stacks from different coating plants has been investigated by spectroscopic methods measuring
the optical performance, laser calorimetry detecting the absorptive losses and LIDT testing the radiation
resistivity of the specimens. Another set of samples was applied to an UV treatment system in nitrogen atmosphere
before testing the optical performance by the procedures listed above.
In many applications of ArF - excimer lasers, a specific degradation effect is observed for the CaF2 outcoupling
windows which starts assumedly at the rear surface and results in a characteristic damage morphology.
In the present study, this degradation mechanism is examined in a measurement series involving a variety of
window samples and irradiation sequences in an excimer laser with typical numbers of up to 2×108 pulses for
each component. The irradiated samples were inspected by scanning spectrophotometry, TOF-SIMS, electron
microscopy and other analytical techniques in order to clarify the underlying degradation mechanisms. On the
basis of the experimental findings, coating strategies will be outlined to improve the lifetime of CaF2 - output
couplers in 193nm excimer lasers.
The development of a novel compact EUV spectrophotometer will be presented. The device is capable of measuring reflectance and transmittance spectra of medium scale EUV-optics primary in the spectral range from 12nm to 21nm. Based on a new polychromatic measurement principle, the system uses the direct irradiation of a table-top EUV-source for illuminating the sample and a broad-band spectrograph for detecting the probe and reference beam.
Samples can be investigated under different angles of incidence and in respect of lateral dependencies.
Typical results of reflectivity investigations of Mo/Si-mirrors and transmitting foils will be shown and compared with reference measurements of certified institutes and calculations.
The utilization of oxide mixtures as layer material for coating design has been transferred to the ion beam sputtering technology and was applied to high-reflecting as well as anti-reflecting components at the wavelength of 193nm. Exclusively, the oxides SiO2 and Al2O3 are candidates for appropriate thin film designs below 200nm. Experimental data received from laser-calorimetric measurements, spectroscopic investigations and laser-induced damage tests are presented for several specimens.
With respect to state-of-the-art thin film deposition in the DUV spectral range, conventional quarterwave designs have also been characterized and will be compared to the sputtered mixed oxide coatings.
Standard DUV mirror systems with conventional quarterwave design were deposited from oxide materials by ion beam
sputtering deposition (IBS) and from fluoride materials by conventional thermal evaporation for the wavelength
193 nm. In addition, a protected fluoride mirror system was manufactured consisting of a conventional fluoride stack
with a dense SiO2 protection layer. In a comparative study, these mirror systems were characterised in respect to their
optical properties and absorption in the VUV spectral range. Subsequently, the value of the laser-induced damage
threshold (LIDT) of the mirrors was determined in an S-on-1 procedure. All DUV measurements were conducted under
the conditions of nitrogen purging. It was observed that all mirror system exhibit a similar optical performance and loss
levels at 193 nm. However, it was found for the LIDT value, that for IBS oxide system the damage mechanism is defect
induced at a comparable low level, whereas the LIDT value of evaporated fluoride mirror is absorption induced, with
1-on-1 values of up to 6 J/cm2. The protected fluoride mirror exhibits value in the intermediate range.
For the development of pioneering optical components for beam collimation and shaping, test set-ups are indispensable for characterizing the reflectance and transmittance over the relevant spectral range. Since radiation sources with a sufficiently high brilliance were only available at synchrotron devices up to now, the characterization of the spectral characteristics was concentrated at large-scale research institutions. In contrast to that, a strong need can be noticed for innovative small and medium companies to use compact and flexible in-house spectrophotometers accelerating product development. In the framework of the present collaboration, a novel table-top spectrophotometer for measuring the spectral characteristics of medium scale EUV-optics (up to 50mm diameter) in the spectral range from 11 to 20nm was developed. The device is based on a new polychromatic measurement principle using the direct irradiation of a compact EUV-tube for illuminating the sample and a broad-band spectrometer for detecting the probe and reference beam. The samples can be investigated under different angles of incidence and in respect to lateral dependencies. In the present paper, first results with different reflecting and transmitting EUV-optical elements demonstrate flexibility, and the achieved spectral resolution and accuracy is presented.
Although the measurement of the laser-induced damage threshold is a field of permanent research effort since the late 1960s, the optimization of the damage handling capability is still a key issue for the development of high performance laser systems. In conjunction with the ever increasing demand for lasers with high average power, energy, extreme wavelengths or short pulses, the resistance to laser damage has to be optimized with a special regard to the different
damage mechanisms. Therefore, a report of the current status of the laser-induced damage threshold is given for the most interesting components and laser systems applied in science and industry. Further, several results of recently performed damage investigations in the NIR spectral range and for ultra short pulses are presented in this paper. The reliability of damage threshold measurements is crucially depending on the chosen test parameters. The importance
of the different parameter values were investigated carefully during several Round-Robin experiments. These investigations can be regarded as the basis of the standardization process leading to the International Standard ISO 11254. In this paper, selected results of the comparative campaigns in damage testing are described, especially in the field of ns and fs pulses.
In the framework of the European research project EUFELE, a set of fluoride and oxide single layer coatings was deposited, irradiated with synchrotron radiation, and subsequently thoroughly characterised. The observed coating damage is strongly related to the spatial distribution of the synchrotron radiation. Therefore, characterisation methods have to be adapted to techniques that are capable to reveal the structural and optical behavior with adequate spatial resolution. A summary of the radiation damages of oxide materials (SiO2, Al2O3 and HfO2) produced by conventional and sputter deposition techniques, and of fluoride single layers (MgF2, LaF3, AlF3) deposited by thermal evaporation is presented. Degradation was observed within the irradiated areas as well as in the not directly exposed area. The observed degradation effects depend on the surface site. Oxide systems show a superior resistance compared to fluoride coatings. The most sensitive material is Lanthanum fluoride.
Optical coatings for the use in free electron laser systems have to withstand high power laser radiation and the intense energetic background radiation of the synchrotron radiation source. In general, the bombardment with high energetic photons leads to irreversible changes and a discoloration of the specimen. For the development of appropriate optical coatings, the degradation mechanisms of available optical materials have to be characterized. In this contribution the
degradation mechanisms of single layer coatings (fluoride and oxide materials) and multilayer systems will be presented. Fluoride and oxide single layers were produced by thermal evaporation and high energetic ion beam sputter deposition. The same methods were employed for the deposition of multilayer systems. High reflecting coatings for the wavelength region around 180 nm were chosen for the irradiation tests. All samples were characterized after production by
spectrophotometry covering the VUV , VIS, and MIR spectral range. Mechanical coating stress was evaluated with interferometric methods. Synchrotron irradiation tests were performed at ELETTRA, using a standardized irradiation cycle for all tests. Ambient pressure and possible contamination in the vacuum environment were monitored by mass spectrometry. For comparison, the optical coatings were investigated again in the VUV, VIS, and MIR spectral range after irradiation. On selected samples XRD measurements were performed. The observed degradation mechanisms comprise severe damages like coating and substrate surface ablation. Color centre formation in the VIS spectral range and an increase of VUV absorption were found as a major origin for a severe degradation of VUV transmittance On the
basis of the performed investigations, a selection of coating materials and coating systems is possible in respect to the damage effects caused by synchrotron radiation.
The determination of absorptance in optical components is of crucial interest in respect to their power-handling capability. As a fundamental loss mechanism in the DUV/VUV spectral range, the absorptance is a significant parameter to decide the applicability
of an optic in the industrial facilities. The established measuring technique of laser-calorimetry in accordance to the standard ISO 11551 was adapted to the wavelength of the ArF-laser (λ = 193 nm). The present paper describes the developed set-up considering the problems of calibration in the DUV spectral range. In detail, the electrical and optical calibration method were performed and different effects are discussed with regard to the practicability of both procedures. Furthermore, the reduction of scattered light in combination with a remarkable increase in sensitivity is
demonstrated. As typical substrate materials for optical components at this laser wavelength, fused silica and CaF2 were investigated determining the absorptance. Simultaneously, the
characteristic luminescence spectrum has been recorded during the investigations.
The development of characterization tools for the deep-ultraviolet
(DUV)/vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) spectral range gains of increasing importance considering the applicability of optics in adequate facilities. At the Laser Zentrum Hannover, procedures for the
investigation of optical parameters, i.e. transmittance, reflectance, absorption and scattering, are developed. In the last two years, a spectrophotometric unit was redesigned allowing a comprehensive characterization of optical components in the wavelength range between 115nm and 310nm. The paper describes the developed device in detail and discusses the sources of error with regard to their influence on measured data. Different investigations were performed and are presented in dependence on the wavelength, the adjusted angle of incidence (AOI) and the polarization of the incident beam. Furthermore, numerous measuring methods are explained which are supported by the in-house compiled software package.
Radiation resistance of optical materials against synchrotron radiation is important, if optical components for the high energetic regime have to be produced. In the framework of the European project EUFELE, which deals with the development of optical coatings for the free electron laser at ELETTRA (Trieste), a set of CaF2 substrates was irradiated with synchrotron radiation. The synchrotron radiation was varied by wavelength, dose, and high energetic background illumination. Before and after irradiation, the CaF2 substrates were investigated spectrophotometrically in the VUV, VIS and IR range. The surface topology was characterized by Nomarski microscope methods. Structure investigations were carried out with X-ray diffraction measurements. CaF2 shows different types of degradation like color center formation, surface modification, and increased VUV absorption bands. Defect formation will be presented in dependence of synchrotron irradiation conditions.
In previous years different multilayer systems were investigated with respect to their optical performance at the wavelength 193 nm of the ArF excimer laser. For most applications in this spectral range, fluoride coatings have been qualified and are widely established. Even though the applicability of oxide coatings is strongly restricted by the significant intrinsic absorptance of the Al2O3 component, these materials are utilized for special technology fields. In contrast to the dielectric deposition materials, the potentiality of protected and enhanced metal layer systems has not been investigated in detail as a basis for high reflectivity mirrors at the wavelength of 193 nm. The major advantage of metal layers is their relatively high reflectivity which can be achieved at low film thickness. Thus metal layers can be employed as a substitution of the first HL-pairs in a high reflecting dielectric stack, and the number of layers can be drastically reduced. Furthermore, the upper residual fluoride stack shields the metal coating from the E-field, improving the power handling capability of the metal layer. The present investigations are focused on the determination of the absorptance in dependence on the different number of fluoride HL-pairs in metal/dielectric layer systems.
Nonlinear absorption phenomena are of great interest for the investigation of laser induced damage processes in dielectric materials. Up to now, photothermal techniques like thermal lensing and laser calorimetry are the only methods, which have been successfully applied for measurements on nonlinear absorption in optical coatings in the UV spectral range. Here, the knowledge of thermophysical properties of the investigated samples is required for both laser calorimetry and thermal lensing, for the determination of absolute absorption values. To overcome this restriction a pure optical determination of absorption effects in dielectrics during excimer laser irradiation is presented for Al2O3 and SiO2 single layers as well as for a Al2O3/SiO2 high reflecting multilayer deposited on quartz. During the laser pulse, both transmittance and reflectivity were measured simultaneously and indicated a significant dependence to the intensity of the laser beam. Excluding a possibly existing influence of thermal detuning by estimation of its order of magnitude, the transient optical absorption inside the film was shown to be dominant in accordance with the results obtained by thermal lens technique. In case of the Al2O3/SiO2 high reflecting coating the UV radiation resistivity at (lambda) equals 193 nm should only be determined by nonlinear absorption.
Previous investigations indicate that oxide coatings exhibit non-linear absorption phenomena below 200 nm. Hereby, absorption data of Al2O3 thin film coatings has been determined absolutely by laser calorimetry (LCA) at 193 nm in the low fluence regime. As an alternative, on the basis of the pulsed surface thermal lens technique (STL), photothermal measurements allow to determine the absorption relatively at fluence levels both in the subdamage fluence range far from the damage onset and close to the LIDT. By combining the two measurement techniques, the absolute determination of linear as well as multiphoton absorption can be achieved also in the vicinity of the laser damage fluences. This is of crucial interest because the initiation of damage onset can be observed immediately. Absolute absorption data of Al2O3 coatings at different laser fluences stating of some mJoule/cm2 will be presented for the wavelength 193 nm. Thus, the correlation between the increase of absorption and the onset of breakdown can be illustrated impressively. The evaluation and discussion of the experimental results are focused on the degree of non-linearity of the investigated absorption behavior of oxide single layers initiating the optical breakdown of UV oxide coatings.
In the course of the rapid progress of DUV/VUV lasers and their employment in semiconductor lithography, micro material processing, and medical surgery systems, the characterization of optical components in this spectral region gains of increasing importance. The precise determination of the optical properties, such as reflectance (R) and transmittance (T), is essential for further progresses of the components. Currently, standardized procedures for measurement of R&T are described in the international standard draft ISO/WD 15368, which is optimized for the whole wavelength range above DUV. In the DUV/VUV spectral range, scatter losses caused by the surface and bulk of the components increase with decreasing wavelengths. This effect is not considered in the standardized measurement procedures for T and R. In this study, a spectral photometer device, which has been developed at Laser Zentrum Hannover, will be presented. The set-up allows measurements of total reflectance for a defined acceptance angle range. In the current state, the DUV.VUV-photometer covers a spectral range from 115nm up to 300nm. Investigations on the scatter behavior of optics for this spectral range indicate a need for precise separation between ordinary reflected or transmitted beam and scattered radiation on the test samples. The dependence of the R and T values on the collection angles will be illustrated.
HR layer stacks with increasing number of HL pairs of fluoride material deposited on different substrates have been successfully investigated with respect to the laser radiation damage threshold at 248 nm and 193 nm. In this paper the investigation has been extended on resonant as well as non-resonant oxide coatings deposited by ion beam sputtering (IBS). Compared to conventional evaporation and plasma ion assisted evaporation technique, IBS coatings exhibit a higher packing density, thus preventing water to enter the film which woudl degrade the quality of the coatings. In contrast, the thermal stress is increased in IBS layer stacks. The measurements were carried out by use of the pulsed thermal lens technique enabling us to measure the advent of otpical breakdown induced by laser fluences in the subdamage range.
In this paper, we report on our investigations of radiation induced processes in optical interference coatings for 193 nm applications with respect to the microstructure of the coating. Experimental studies revealed that fluoride coatings contribute the main source for radiation induced optical changes during its exposure to 193 nm laser irradiation due to their porous microstructure. NIR spectroscopy could identify the origin of optical changes in interference coatings as a reversible hydrocarbon contamination which occurs within the coatings from storage in air atmosphere. Additionally, Laser Induced Damage Threshold measurements show a direct influence of the hydrocarbon contamination on the radiation durability of the multilayer systems during laser exposure. Experiments were carried out by using several characterization techniques including DUV spectrophotometry, ATR-IR-spectroscopy, x-ray diffractometry, and the determination of the '1-on-1' laser induced damage threshold. Test methods were applied to DUV coatings before and after exposure to 193 nm radiation with irradiation doses of up to 108 laser pulses at a fluence of 70mJ/cm2. Test samples consisted of several coating designs, primarily of high reflective multilayer systems.
The exposure of optical interference coatings to low-fluence DUV-radiation reveals changes of thin layer properties due to interactions between radiation field and thin film structure. An experimental set up for irradiating antireflective as well a high reflective coatings with 193nm excimer laser was used in order to study permanent cumulative changes in optical coatings at fluences ranging from 20mJ/cm2 with up to 240 106 laser pulses. The optical ex-situ monitoring of radiation induced modifications enabled the differentiation of coating specific and substrate inherent alteration effects. The identification of conditions as well as degradation processes during the exposure could be achieved for several types of DUV-coating materials. They were deposited with an ultra low loss evaporation process onto calcium fluoride and fused silica substrates. Fluoride coating included LaF3, Na3AlF6, MgF2, AlF3 oxide coatings consisted of SiO2 and Al2O3 exclusively.
Dielectric mirrors are key optical components in ArF excimer laser based devices for applications in DUV photolithography as well as in material processing. In all these applications different requirements of laser radiation resistance have to be met in relation to fluence, repetition rate and pulse number lifetime. Investigations have been performed into the radiation resistance of dielectric mirrors consisting of fluorides and oxides with emphasis to the properties of bending point mirrors used in beam delivery systems of wafer steppers. Problems and limitations for the improvements of the laser-induced-damage-thresholds of the coatings are discussed.
The aim of our investigation was to explain the causes and kinds of the destruction of optical coatings during laser radiation at the wavelength of ArF excimer laser. Therefore, HR layer stacks with an increasing number of HL-pairs were deposited on different substrates CaF2 and fused silica, respectively. SiO2/Al2O3-, LaF3/MgF2- and AlF3/LaF3-combinations were used as coating materials. While fluoride coatings have been deposited by conventional evaporation, the oxide coatings were deposited by reactive e-beam evaporation with or without plasma ion assistance. The interaction of UV laser radiation with optical coatings as mentioned above was investigated by a pulsed two probe beam photothermal technique as well as optical microscopy, respectively. In the case of fluoride layers the single shot damage threshold increases with higher number of HL-pairs. Additionally, an aging effect could be observed.
The thermal decay of surface temperature has been calculated and measured on Al2O3/SiO2 coatings by using photothermal technique near damage threshold fluence. It could be shown that under certain conditions the decay times (tau) has been found to be in the order of some microseconds. This fact gives no explanation of the measured decrease of threshold fluence in some cases for higher repetition rates and shot numbers on Al2O3/SiO2 and HfO2/SiO2 multilayers for (lambda) equals 248nm. Furthermore, it could not be found any influence of the substrate materials. Thus, other than thermal accumulation is responsible for the lowered damage threshold by increasing repetition rate. Additionally, performed calculations of the thermal decay using 20ns, 248nm laser excitation confirm the experimental results. Even in the case of Al2O3/SiO2 coatings on copper no effect of the substrate as a heat sink could be measured. For HfO2/SiO2 coatings the behavior is in accordance with the fact that the thermal conductivity of HfO2 films is markedly lowered compared to the bulk value.
We report on our investigations on the long-term behavior of optical coatings under 193 nm laser irradiation in dependence on coating materials, radiation conditions, and substrate properties. A wide variety of different highly reflective dielectric mirrors and antireflective coatings, deposited by an ultra low loss evaporation process onto calcium fluoride and fused silica, has been tested. Irradiation experiments with highly reflective coatings show that fluoride coatings exhibit nearly no changes of their optical function in air as well as in argon atmosphere due to low initial absorption levels. Temporal atmospheric contaminations can be removed by using appropriate irradiation conditions. Oxide layers tend to post-oxidize during 193 nm exposure in air and the DUV absorption level will be reduced. Effectively, reflectance of multilayer coatings on the basis of oxide materials can be improved through laser irradiation. Irradiation experiments with antireflective coatings point out the dominant role of bulk and surface properties of the substrate for prolonged laser irradiation. In addition, we present laser induced damage thresholds to demonstrate upper limits of laser radiation resistance that can be achieved nowadays with several types of coatings.
Utilizing thermal Mirage technique, UV laser damage resistivity studies on LaF3/MgF2, Al2O3/SiO2, and HfO2/SiO2 multilayer stacks have been performed at (lambda) equals 248 nm, (tau) equals 20 ns. Investigating these stacks by changing the number of (HL) pairs and the substrate material, optical and thermal coating properties were shown to be responsible for UV single-shot laser damage. Similarly, the damage threshold of selected samples is to be influenced by the deposition technique. Furthermore, multishot damage measurements on LaF3/MgF2 high-reflecting multilayer coatings reveal the accumulation of laser energy in the predamage range.
For application in UV thin film optics the thermal contribution to the laser-induced optical breakdown was investigated utilizing time-resolved photothermal probe beam deflection (MIRAGE) technique. The potentiality of this method for the determination of both the subdamage range and the onset of single-shot-damage of Al2O3/SiO2 and LaF3/MgF2 high-reflective coatings by using the thermal branch of the MIRAGE technique could be demonstrated. Examining the dielectric mirrors by 248 nm KrF laser irradiation, distinct damage precursor features were found. Thus, the physical origin of the UV-pulsed radiation breakdown in HR coatings can be elucidated.
Two-dimensional cw photothermal surface displacement (PTD) scans with high spatial resolution provide a new quality for thin-film characterization. This is demonstrated for optical single-layer films of MgF2 and for 248 nm high-reflecting Al2O3/SiO2 multilayer coatings. Inhomogeneities of the films were detected with a lateral resolution better than 2 micrometers . Photothermal images reveal that Al2O3/SiO2 coatings with low damage thresholds differ above all in the amplitude of the PTD background signal whereas high-damage-threshold-coatings excel in a noticeable decrease in defect concentration. On the other hand, pulsed thermal MIRAGE technique is shown to be capable to yield complementary information with respect to the subdamage behavior as well as the onset of UV damage in Al2O3/SiO2 laser mirrors. Thus, the physical origin of the UV radiation breakdown in optical thin films can be elucidated.
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