Abstract: The present invention relates to a quartz glass blank for an optical component for transmitting radiation of a wavelength of 15 nm and shorter, the blank consisting of highly pure quartz glass, doped with titanium and/or fluorine, which is distinguished by an extremely high homogeneity. The homogeneity relates to the following features: a) micro-inhomogeneities caused by a local variance of the TiO2 distribution (<0.05% TiO2, averaged over a volume element of (5 ?m)3 in relation to the mean value of the TiO2 content), b) an absolute maximum inhomogeneity in the thermal expansion coefficient ?? in the main functional direction (<5 ppb/K), c) a radial variance of the thermal expansion coefficient over the usable surface of the quartz glass blank of not more than 0.4 ppb/(K.cm); d) a maximum stress birefringence (SDB) at 633 nm in the main functional direction of 2 nm/cm with a specific progression; and e) a specific progression of the ??, averaged according to (b) on the optical surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quartz glass blank for an optical component for transmitting radiation of a wavelength of 15 nm and shorter, the blank consisting of highly pure quartz glass, doped with titanium and/or fluorine, which is distinguished by an extremely high homogeneity. The homogeneity relates to the following features: a) micro-inhomogeneities caused by a local variance of the TiO2 distribution (<0.05% TiO2, averaged over a volume element of (5 ?m)3 in relation to the mean value of the TiO2 content), b) an absolute maximum inhomogeneity in the thermal expansion coefficient ?? in the main functional direction (<5 ppb/K), c) a radial variance of the thermal expansion coefficient over the usable surface of the quartz glass blank of not more than 0.4 ppb/(K·cm); d) a maximum stress birefringence (SDB) at 633 nm in the main functional direction of 2 nm/cm with a specific progression; and e) a specific progression of the ??, averaged according to (b) on the optical surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quartz glass blank for an optical component for transmission of ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm or shorter, and to a use of the quartz glass blank in microlithography in combination with ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm or shorter. Moreover, the invention relates to a procedure for manufacture of the quartz glass blank. A quartz glass blank of the described type should show little induced absorption and be optimized with respect to compaction and decompaction. The quartz glass blank according to the invention is characterized by the following properties: a glass structure essentially free of oxygen defect sites, an H2-content in the range of 0.1×1016 molecules/cm3 to 4.0×1016 molecules/cm3, an OH-content in the range of 125 wt-ppm to 450 wt-ppm, an SiH group-content of less than 5×1016 molecules/cm3, a refractive index inhomogeneity, ?n, of less than 2 ppm, and a stress birefringence of less than 2 nm/cm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quartz glass blank for an optical component for transmission of ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm or shorter, and to a use of the quartz glass blank in microlithography in combination with ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm or shorter. Moreover, the invention relates to a procedure for manufacture of the quartz glass blank. A quartz glass blank of the described type should show little induced absorption and be optimized with respect to compaction and decompaction. The quartz glass blank according to the invention is characterized by the following properties: a glass structure essentially free of oxygen defect sites, an H2-content in the range of 0.1×1016 molecules/cm3 to 4.0×1016 molecules/cm3, an OH-content in the range of 125 wt-ppm to 450 wt-ppm, an SiH group-content of less than 5×1016 molecules/cm3, a refractive index inhomogeneity, ?n, of less than 2 ppm, and a stress birefringence of less than 2 nm/cm.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a quartz glass blank for an optical component for the transmission of ultraviolet radiation of a wave length of 250 nm and under, as well as its utilization in microlithography in connection with ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm and under. Such quartz glass blank is to have low induced absorption, while being optimized in respect of compaction and de-compaction. The quartz glass blank according to the invention has the following properties: A glass structure essentially free of oxygen defect sites; a H2 content in the range of 3×1017 molecules/cm3 to 2.0×1018 molecules/cm3; an OH content in the range of 500 weight ppm to 1000 weight ppm; a SiH group content of less than 2×1017 molecules/cm3; a chlorine content in the range of 60 weight ppm to 120 weight ppm; a refractive index inhomogeneity, ?n, of less than 2 ppm; and a stress birefringence of less than 2 nm/cm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a previously known method for producing synthetic silica glass, comprising the following steps: a gas stream containing a vaporizable initial substance, which can be converted into SiO2 by means of oxidation or flame hydrolysis, is formed; the gas stream is delivered to a reaction zone in which the initial substance is converted so as to form amorphous SiO2 particles; the amorphous SiO2 particles are deposited on a support so as to form an SiO2 layer; and the SiO2 is vitrified during or following deposition of the SiO2 particles in order to obtain the silica glass. The aim of the invention is to create an economical method for producing synthetic silica glass, which is characterized by a favorable damaging behavior towards short-wave UV radiation while being particularly suitable for producing an optical component used for transmitting high-energy ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of 250 nm or less.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical component for transmitting ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm and shorter, wherein the component is made from a cylindrical quartz glass blank having a mean OH content of more than 50 wt ppm, which is subjected to a first annealing treatment for eliminating stress birefringence, characterized in that the quartz glass blank is subjected to a second annealing treatment which comprises heating up and holding the quartz glass blank at a low annealing temperature ranging from 350° C. to 800° C. and for an annealing period of more than 1 hour, with the proviso that a quartz glass blank is used in which in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical longitudinal axis the deviation from the mean OH content is not more than 20 wt ppm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quartz glass blank for an optical component for transmission of ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm or shorter, and to a use of the quartz glass blank in microlithography in combination with ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm or shorter. Moreover, the invention relates to a procedure for manufacture of the quartz glass blank. A quartz glass blank of the described type should show little induced absorption and be optimized with respect to compaction and decompaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quartz glass blank for an optical component for transmission of ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm or shorter, and to a use of the quartz glass blank in microlithography in combination with ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm or shorter. Moreover, the invention relates to a procedure for manufacture of the quartz glass blank. A quartz glass blank of the described type should show little induced absorption and be optimized with respect to compaction and decompaction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a quartz glass blank for an optical component for the transmission of ultraviolet radiation of a wave length of 250 nm and under, as well as its utilization in microlilthography in connection with ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength of 250 nm and under. Such quartz glass blank is to have low induced absorption, while being optimized in respect of compaction and de-compaction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a quartz glass body for an optical component for the transmission of UV radiation with a wavelength of 250 nm and less, especially for a wavelength of 157 nm, as well as a process for the manufacture of the quartz glass body where fine quartz glass particles are formed by flame hydrolysis of a silicon compound, deposited and vitrified. Suitability of a quartz glass as represented by high base transmission and radiation resistance depends on structural properties caused by local stoichiometric deviations, and on the chemical composition. The quartz glass body according to the inventions is distinguished by a uniform base transmission (relative change of base transmission ≦1%) in the wavelength range from 155 nm to 250 nm (radiation penetration depth of 10 mm) of at least 80%, a low OH content (less than 10 ppm by weight) and a glass structure substantially free from oxygen defect centers.

Abstract: Based on a known process for the manufacture of opaque quartz glass, by mixing SiO2 particles and an additive which is volatile at a melting temperature, forming a body and melting said body with an advancing melt front forming in the body, it is proposed according to the invention that in order to reduce the danger of contamination, a body (1) be formed with an inner bore (6) and be heated in such a manner that the melt front (10) advances from the inner bore (6) to the outside. The article of pure opaque quartz glass according to the invention has high resistance to temperature change, high mechanical strength and good chemical durability. It is distinguished by an opening (6) enclosed by an inner wall (9), with an inner SiO2 surface layer (15) having a layer thickness ranging from 30 mm to 500 mm and a density of at least 2.15 g/cm3.