Surface damage resistance of calcite crystals to nanosecond-pulse 694-nm laser radiation

Brian Emerson Newnam; Larry G. DeShazer

doi:10.1117/12.274295

13 May 1997 Surface damage resistance of calcite crystals to nanosecond-pulse 694-nm laser radiation

Proceedings Volume 2966, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1996; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.274295
Event: Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1996, 1996, Boulder, CO, United States

Abstract

Surface damage thresholds of polished calcite crystals were measured with a pulsed ruby laser at the wavelength of 694.3 nm. Three grades of calcite used for laser polarizers were tested: Grade A, Schlieren-Free, and Scatter-Free, as characterized by the manufacturer, Karl Lambrecht Corporation of Chicago. The test samples were cut and polished with the surfaces parallel to the optic axis. Sample dimensions were 1 cm X 1 cm and 2 to 3 mm thick. The ruby laser oscillator was passively Q-switched to produce 12-ns pulses in a single-transverse and longitudinal mode. Samples were irradiated at near-normal incidence to the 1-cm² surfaces with a laser 1/e² spot diameter of approximately 0.12 mm. Tests were conducted with a single shot per site, and photoelectric detection of a laser- induced surface spark was used as a sensitive method for detecting the onset of damage. Damage threshold of 30, 60, and 50 mJ/cm², were determined for the three grades, respectively. No significant threshold differences were observed between test with the laser polarization parallel and perpendicular to the optic axis. Laser-induced damage, visible by scattering of a collinear He-Ne laser beam, was most frequently observed at the rear surfaces, although it sometimes occurred at the front surface alone or in the interior. On the basis of standing wave electric-field analysis, the predicted energy density at the rear surface was more than twice that at the front surface, and laser damage at the rear surface was expected to occur at a correspondingly lower fluence. Early damage at randomly distributed surface imperfections appeared to preclude such a consistent correlation.

Citation Download Citation

Brian Emerson Newnam and Larry G. DeShazer "Surface damage resistance of calcite crystals to nanosecond-pulse 694-nm laser radiation", Proc. SPIE 2966, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1996, (13 May 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.274295

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
1 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Calcite

Surface finishing

Crystals

Laser crystals

Laser damage threshold

Laser induced damage

Laser scattering

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years