Abstract: A synthetic quartz glass optical member for an ultraviolet laser, where the quartz glass has a hydroxyl content of 10-100 ppm, a chlorine content of 200 ppm or less, a hydrogen content of 1.times.10.sup.16 molecules/cm.sup.3 or less, a homogeneity of refractive index of 5.times.10.sup.-6 or less in terms of .DELTA.n, and a birefringence of 5 nm/cm or less.

Abstract: A synthetic quartz glass optical member for an ultraviolet laser, suitably applicable as a stepper lens of a lithographer using an excimer laser beam and other optical members, wherein the quartz glass has a hydroxyl content of 10 to 100 ppm, a chlorine content of 200 ppm or less, a hydrogen content of 1.times.10.sup.16 molecules/cm.sup.3 or less, a homogeneity of refractive index of 5.times.10.sup.-6 or less in terms of .DELTA.n, and a birefringence of 5 nm/cm or less. The optical member can be produced by subjecting a volatile silicon compound to flame hydrolysis with oxyhydrogen flame, depositing the formed particulate silica on a heat-resistant support to prepare a porous silica matrix, heating the matrix in a vacuum as high as 1.times.10.sup.-2 Torr or above to a temperature of 1,400 .degree. C.