Comparative studies of absorptance behaviour of alkaline-earth fluorides at 193 nm and 157 nm

Absorptance losses in MgF₂, CaF₂ and BaF₂ during 193-nm (DUV) and 157-nm (VUV) irradiation are investigated by employing a high-resolution laser calorimetric technique which allows the determination of both single- and two-photon absorptance at energy densities up to 110 mJ/cm². A strong wavelength dependence of the DUV and VUV absorption characteristics is observed: while effective two-photon absorption takes place at 193 nm, either no similar effect at all (in the case of BaF₂) or only a very minor effect (CaF₂) is observed at 157 nm. A first explanation for this absorption behaviour is given, implying the energetic band structure of CaF₂. In addition it is shown that, due to the strong nonlinear dependency, above a critical energy density the absorptance at 193 nm can exceed the absorptance at 157 nm. Furthermore, different single- and two-photon absorption coefficients are determined for different CaF₂ samples at 193 nm, indicating a two-step absorption mechanism. In addition, laser-induced aging is found in a MgF₂ sample at 193 nm, but not at 157 nm. Received: 21 June 2001 / Revised version: 2 November 2001 / Published online: 7 February 2002