Limits of performance: CW laser damage

Rashmi S. Shah; Justin J. Rey; Alan F. Stewart

doi:10.1117/12.695918

15 January 2007 Limits of performance: CW laser damage

Rashmi S. Shah, Justin J. Rey, Alan F. Stewart

Proceedings Volume 6403, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2006; 640305 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.695918
Event: Boulder Damage Symposium XXXVIII: Annual Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers, 2006, Boulder, Colorado, United States

Abstract

High performance optical coatings are an enabling technology for many applications - navigation systems, telecom, fusion, advanced measurement systems of many types as well as directed energy weapons. The results of recent testing of superior optical coatings conducted at high flux levels have been presented. Failure of these coatings was rare. However, induced damage was not expected from simple thermal models relating flux loading to induced temperatures. Clearly, other mechanisms must play a role in the occurrence of laser damage. Contamination is an obvious mechanism-both particulate and molecular. Less obvious are structural defects and the role of induced stresses. These mechanisms are examined through simplified models and finite element analysis. The results of the models are compared to experiment, for induced temperatures and observed stress levels. The role of each mechanism is described and limiting performance is determined.

Citation Download Citation

Rashmi S. Shah, Justin J. Rey, and Alan F. Stewart "Limits of performance: CW laser damage", Proc. SPIE 6403, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2006, 640305 (15 January 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.695918

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