Design of optical systems for handling very high power densities

Leo H. J. F. Beckmann

doi:10.1117/12.624517

18 August 2005 Design of optical systems for handling very high power densities

Leo H. J. F. Beckmann

Proceedings Volume 5865, Tribute to Warren Smith: A Legacy in Lens Design and Optical Engineering; 58650H (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.624517
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The title of my paper refers to "very high power densities", and this implies here, of course, optical power, but first I should quantify what I mean by "very high". For the purpose of this paper, it shall mean power densities at and beyond which optical glasses are no longer transparent. This occurs basically due to the creation of free electrons by multi-photon absorption, which then cause stress and subsequent physical damage, such as cracks, in the glass. There is a threshold for this phenomenon, typically of the order of 10¹⁰ W/cm² but strongly material dependent. For comparison: this is 7 orders of magnitude higher than what we can ever achieve by focussing light from the sun, our most powerful natural radiation source. It is, needless to say, readily achieved with current technology solid state pulsed lasers.

Citation Download Citation

Leo H. J. F. Beckmann "Design of optical systems for handling very high power densities", Proc. SPIE 5865, Tribute to Warren Smith: A Legacy in Lens Design and Optical Engineering, 58650H (18 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.624517

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