Downstream intensification effects associated with CO2 laser mitigation of fused silica

Manyalibo J. Matthews; Isaac L. Bass; Gabriel M. Guss; Clay C. Widmayer; Frank L. Ravizza

doi:10.1117/12.752948

16 January 2008 Downstream intensification effects associated with CO₂ laser mitigation of fused silica

Manyalibo J. Matthews, Isaac L. Bass, Gabriel M. Guss, Clay C. Widmayer, Frank L. Ravizza

Proceedings Volume 6720, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2007; 67200A (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.752948
Event: Boulder Damage Symposium XXXIX: Annual Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers, 2007, Boulder, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Mitigation of 351nm laser-induced damage sites on fused silica exit surfaces by selective CO₂ treatment has been shown to effectively arrest the exponential growth responsible for limiting the lifetime of optics in high-fluence laser systems. However, the perturbation to the optical surface profile following the mitigation process introduces phase contrast to the beam, causing some amount of downstream intensification with the potential to damage downstream optics. Control of the laser treatment process and measurement of the associated phase modulation is essential to preventing downstream 'fratricide' in damage-mitigated optical systems. In this work we present measurements of the surface morphology, intensification patterns and damage associated with various CO₂ mitigation treatments on fused silica surfaces. Specifically, two components of intensification pattern, one on-axis and another off-axis can lead to damage of downstream optics and are related to rims around the ablation pit left from the mitigation process. It is shown that control of the rim structure around the edge of typical mitigation sites is crucial in preventing damage to downstream optics.

Citation Download Citation

Manyalibo J. Matthews, Isaac L. Bass, Gabriel M. Guss, Clay C. Widmayer, and Frank L. Ravizza "Downstream intensification effects associated with CO₂ laser mitigation of fused silica", Proc. SPIE 6720, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2007, 67200A (16 January 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.752948

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