Iridium/silicon multilayers for extreme ultraviolet applications in the 20-35 nm wavelength range

Opt Lett. 2011 Apr 1;36(7):1203-5. doi: 10.1364/OL.36.001203.

Abstract

We have developed an Ir/Si multilayer for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) applications. Normal incidence reflectance measurements of a prototype film tuned to 30 nm wavelength show superior performance relative to a conventional Mo/Si multilayer structure; we also find good stability over time. Transmission electron microscopy and electron dispersive x-ray spectroscopy have been used to examine the microstructure and interface properties of this system: we find amorphous Si layers and polycrystalline Ir layers, with asymmetric interlayer regions of mixed composition. Potential applications of Ir/Si multilayers include instrumentation for solar physics and laboratory EUV beam manipulation.