Synthetic diamond wafer production up

Luxembourg-based Element Six, the synthetic diamond division of the De Beers Group, announced at Photonics West 2013 that its California facility has boosted production levels of synthetic diamond wafers by 50 percent. The increase in volume manufacturing will allow the company to meet the growing market demand for optical windows, a critical component of laser-produced plasma extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems. The synthetic diamond optical windows are an accessible alternative to traditional optical materials, delivering very low defect levels to ensure uncompromised system performance, said Adrian Wilson, head of technologies.

Element Six synthetic diamond optical windows are designed to support laser-produced plasma extreme ultraviolet lithography systems.

The chemical vapor deposition technology creates synthetic windows with unique properties suitable for high-power CO₂ lasers and high-throughput EUV processing, increasing the cost efficiency and productivity of these lithography systems.