Better mirrors, better lasers, better vision
Ongoing research at the ELETTRA national laboratory in Trieste, Italy is producing a multitude of innovative technological solutions that find many diverse applications in a number of different areas. The ELLETTRA laboratory is a multidisciplinary Synchrotron Light Laboratory open to researchers in diverse basic and applied fields. The Laboratory is equipped with ultra- bright light sources in the spectral range from UV to X-rays. Many research groups from all over Europe collaborate to develop a free electron laser as a vacuum ultraviolet research facility at ELETTRA. Among them, the Laser Zentrum Hannover has recently succeeded in manufacturing a protected multilayer mirror to be used with light of 180 nanometers wave length. The mirror will be used for the running of the ELETTRA free electron laser in the vacuum ultraviolet region of light. Development of the mirror was based on an evaporated stack of pure fluoride which provides high reflectivity and then protection with a silicon dioxide layer which was sputtered on the mirror. Thorough experimental trials demonstrate stable lasing at the required wavelength of the 180 nm. Apart from its usage in the free electron laser facility at ELETTRA such a mirror may very well be used for a number of other applications. Excimer Laser systems may use the developed mirror as an end mirror. These excimer lasers are used to perform eye surgeries like photorefractive keratectomy to reduce myopia. Another important application for the mirror is in semiconductor lithography but it may also be used in metrology systems and material processing. The Laser Zentrum Hannover has the secret know - how of the production of the mirror and is currently seeking manufacturing agreements or further research and development support.
