Dr. John C. Bellum Profile

Dr. John C. Bellum

Consultant at Coherent Technologies

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Area of Expertise:

optical thin film coating design , high laser damage threshold optical coatings , optical thin film coating process control , optical thin film coating production

Websites:

Company Website

Profile Summary

For nearly 13 years, until February 2017, I led the large optics coating operation at Sandia National Laboratories in support of the high energy lasers of Sandia's Z-Backlighter Laser Facility. I had responsibility for design, analysis, deposition and metrology of optical coatings for the large, meter-class Z-Backlighter laser optics in keeping with their stringent requirements of resistance to high power laser damage. I have extensive work experience in optical science and engineering and related areas of science and physics, and in the design and analysis of high laser damage threshold optical thin film coatings for various applications such as high reflection, anti-reflection, dichroic beam splitting, polarization discrimination and multi-layer dielectric gratings. My early scientific background is in theoretical molecular physics, and I am interested in laser damage mechanisms and associated electronic structure of optical media. Currently I am a consultant in optical coatings.

Publications (31)

Proceedings Article | 18 December 2024 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Looking at the proposed Go/No-Go laser damage standard in the context of Gaussian beams

John Bellum

Proceedings Volume 13190, 131900S (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3038207

KEYWORDS: Laser induced damage, Gaussian beams, Raster graphics, Standards development, Gaussian pulse, Pulsed laser operation, Optical testing, Optical surfaces, Laser radiation, Laser optics

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 12 October 2021 Presentation

Presentation

Experiments in support of the proposed US National Damage Standard

Jonathan Arenberg, Michael Thomas, Donna Howland, John Bellum

Proceedings Volume 11910, 119100K (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2598814

KEYWORDS: Standards development, Laser induced damage

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 15 September 2020 Presentation

Presentation

Development of US national laser damage standard: 2020 status

Jonathan Arenberg, Donna Howland, Michael Thomas, John Bellum, Matthew Dabney

Proceedings Volume 11514, 115140C (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2571877

KEYWORDS: Standards development, Laser induced damage

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 21 February 2020 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Laser damage, a new US standard: What is in it for me?

Donna Howland, Jonathan Arenberg, Michael Thomas, Trey Turner, John Bellum, C. Wren Carr, Matthew Brophy, Allen Krisiloff, Nathan Carlie, Matthew Dabney

Proceedings Volume 11261, 112610Z (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2546571

KEYWORDS: Standards development, Laser induced damage, Laser optics, Optics manufacturing, Laser development, Optical testing, Electro optics, National Ignition Facility, Statistical analysis

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 3 December 2019 Presentation

Presentation

U.S. National Committee proposed revision to the ISO Laser Damage Standard: 2019 progress report (Conference Presentation)

Donna Howland, Jonathan Arenberg, Michael Thomas, Trey Turner, John Bellum, Ella Field, C. Wren Carr, Gary Shaffer, Matthew Brophy, Allen Krisiloff

Proceedings Volume 11173, 111731N (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2536446

KEYWORDS: Standards development, Laser induced damage, Carbon monoxide, Gas lasers

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 21 November 2017 Paper

Paper

U.S. National Committee proposed revision to the ISO Laser Damage Standard

Jonathan Arenberg, Donna Howland, Michael Thomas, Trey Turner, John Bellum, Ella Field, C. Wren Carr, Gary Shaffer, Matthew Brophy, Allen Krisiloff

Proceedings Volume 10447, 104471E (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2280559

KEYWORDS: Standards development, Laser induced damage, Optics manufacturing, Electro optics, Binary data, Aerospace engineering, Gas lasers, Laser marking, Product engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 23 February 2017 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Broad bandwidth high reflection coatings for petawatt class lasers: femtosecond pulse laser damage tests, and measurement of group delay dispersion

John Bellum, Trevor Winstone, Ella Field, Damon Kletecka

Proceedings Volume 10084, 100840J (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2267809

KEYWORDS: Hybrid fiber optics, Optical coatings, Pulsed laser operation, Laser induced damage, Environmental sensing, Femtosecond phenomena, Reflection, Laser damage threshold, Raster graphics, High reflection coatings

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 6 December 2016 Paper

Paper

Use of Al2O3 layers for higher laser damage threshold at 22.5-deg incidence, S polarization of a 527 nm/1054 nm dichroic coating

John Bellum, Ella Field, Damon Kletecka, Patrick Rambo, Ian Smith

Proceedings Volume 10014, 1001425 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2257607

KEYWORDS: Coating, Polarization, Laser damage threshold, Laser induced damage, Reflection, Aluminum, Hybrid fiber optics, Raster graphics, Wave propagation, Eye

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 6 December 2016 Open Access

Open Access

Paper

Sandia's Z-Backlighter Laser Facility

P. Rambo, J. Schwarz, M. Schollmeier, M. Geissel, I. Smith, M. Kimmel, C. Speas, J. Shores, D. Armstrong, J. Bellum, E. Field, D. Kletecka, J. Porter

Proceedings Volume 10014, 100140Z (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2245271

KEYWORDS: Glasses, X-rays, Laser energy, Optical amplifiers, X-ray imaging, Optical coatings, Pulsed laser operation, Fusion energy, Diagnostics, Laser beam diagnostics

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 12 October 2016 Open Access

Open Access

Design and laser damage properties of a dichroic beam combiner coating for 22.5-deg incidence and S polarization with high transmission at 527 nm and high reflection at 1054 nm

John Bellum, Ella Field, Damon Kletecka, Patrick Rambo, Ian Smith

OE, Vol. 56, Issue 01, 011020, (October 2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.56.1.011020

KEYWORDS: Coating, Glasses, Laser induced damage, Hybrid fiber optics, Interfaces, Reflection, Laser development, Silica, Optical engineering, Error analysis

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 21 September 2016 Open Access

Open Access

Laser damage comparisons of broad-bandwidth, high-reflection optical coatings containing TiO₂, Nb₂O₅, or Ta₂O₅ high-index layers

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

OE, Vol. 56, Issue 01, 011018, (September 2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.56.1.011018

KEYWORDS: Refraction, Optical coatings, Niobium, Tantalum, Laser induced damage, Hybrid fiber optics, Absorption, Laser damage threshold, Refractive index, Resistance

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 25 August 2016 Open Access

Open Access

Analysis of laser damage tests on coatings designed for broad bandwidth high reflection of femtosecond pulses

John Bellum, Trevor Winstone, Laurent Lamaignere, Martin Sozet, Mark Kimmel, Patrick Rambo, Ella Field, Damon Kletecka

OE, Vol. 56, Issue 01, 011012, (August 2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.56.1.011012

KEYWORDS: Optical coatings, Laser induced damage, Pulsed laser operation, Reflection, Picosecond phenomena, Femtosecond phenomena, Optical engineering, Laser damage threshold, Absorption, Humidity

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 22 July 2016 Paper

Paper

Effectiveness of ion cleaning to improve the laser damage threshold of HfO2/SiO2 optical coatings for high reflection and antireflection at 527 nm and 1054 nm

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

Proceedings Volume 9983, 998314 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235689

KEYWORDS: Contamination, Laser damage threshold, Reflection, Antireflective coatings, Contamination, Laser damage threshold, Optical coatings, Laser induced damage, Silica, Reflection, Antireflective coatings, Argon, Oxygen, Ions

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 15 July 2016 Open Access

Open Access

How reduced vacuum pumping capability in a coating chamber affects the laser damage resistance of HfO₂/SiO₂ antireflection and high-reflection coatings

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

OE, Vol. 56, Issue 01, 011005, (July 2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.56.1.011005

KEYWORDS: Coating, Antireflective coatings, Laser induced damage, Hybrid fiber optics, Optical coatings, Resistance, High reflection coatings, Particles, Laser damage threshold, Silica

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 8 July 2016 Open Access

Open Access

Repair of a mirror coating on a large optic for high laser damage applications using ion milling and over-coating methods

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

OE, Vol. 56, Issue 01, 011002, (July 2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.56.1.011002

KEYWORDS: Coating, Ions, Mirrors, Etching, Metals, Laser induced damage, Optical coatings, Hybrid fiber optics, Laser optics, Optical testing

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 23 November 2015 Paper

Paper

How reduced vacuum pumping capability in a coating chamber affects the laser damage resistance of HfO[sub]2[/sub]/SiO[sub]2[/sub] antireflection and high-reflection coatings

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

Proceedings Volume 9632, 963219 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2194131

KEYWORDS: Coating, Laser induced damage, Optical coatings, Antireflective coatings, High reflection coatings, Silica, Laser damage threshold, Resistance, Reflection, Deposition processes, Oxygen, Ions

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 23 November 2015 Paper

Paper

Design and laser damage properties of a dichroic beam combiner coating for 22.5 degree incidence and S polarization with high-transmission at 527nm and high-reflection at 1054nm

John Bellum, Ella Field, Damon Kletecka, Patrick Rambo, Ian Smith

Proceedings Volume 9632, 96321E (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218166

KEYWORDS: Coating, Glasses, Silica, Laser induced damage, Interfaces, Reflection, Antireflective coatings, Polarization, Laser damage threshold, Thin films

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 23 November 2015 Paper

Paper

Comparative STEREO-LID (Spatio-TEmporally REsolved Optical Laser-Induced Damage) studies of critical defect distributions in IBS, ALD, and electron-beam coated dielectric films

Yejia Xu, Amir Khabbazi, Travis Day, Andrew Brown, Luke Emmert, Joseph Talghader, Ella Field, Damon Kletecka, John Bellum, Dinesh Patel, Carmen Menoni, Wolfgang Rudolph

Proceedings Volume 9632, 963215 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2196548

KEYWORDS: Laser induced damage, Laser optics, Optical coatings, Probability theory, Atomic layer deposition, Dielectrics, Laser damage threshold, Coating, Ion beams, Sputter deposition, Deposition processes, Electron beams

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 14 July 2015 Paper

Paper

How laser damage resistance of HfO2/SiO2 optical coatings is affected by embedded contamination caused by pausing the deposition process

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

Proceedings Volume 9532, 95320J (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2185739

KEYWORDS: Coating, Ions, Contamination, Laser induced damage, Argon, Oxygen, Optical coatings, Etching, Resistance, Silica

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 14 July 2015 Paper

Paper

Analysis of laser damage tests on a coating for broad bandwidth high reflection of femtosecond pulses

John Bellum, Trevor Winstone, Laurent Lamaignere, Martin Sozet, Mark Kimmel, Patrick Rambo, Ella Field, Damon Kletecka

Proceedings Volume 9532, 95321I (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2186789

KEYWORDS: Coating, Laser induced damage, Pulsed laser operation, Picosecond phenomena, Environmental sensing, Reflection, Femtosecond phenomena, Laser damage threshold, Humidity, Optical coatings

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 6 November 2014 Open Access

Open Access

Impact of different cleaning processes on the laser damage threshold of antireflection coatings for Z-Backlighter optics at Sandia National Laboratories

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

OE, Vol. 53, Issue 12, 122516, (November 2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.53.12.122516

KEYWORDS: Optical coatings, Antireflective coatings, Contamination, Laser induced damage, Laser damage threshold, Surface finishing, Polishing, Laser processing, Optical testing, Optical engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 31 October 2014 Paper

Paper

Repair of a mirror coating on a large optic for high laser-damage applications using ion milling and over-coating methods

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

Proceedings Volume 9237, 92371E (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2067920

KEYWORDS: Coating, Ions, Etching, Mirrors, Metals, Optical coatings, Laser induced damage, Silica, Optical testing, Glasses

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 22 September 2014 Paper

Paper

The impact of different cleaning processes on the laser damage threshold of antireflection coatings for Z-Backlighter optics at Sandia National Laboratories

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

Proceedings Volume 9238, 92380D (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2073448

KEYWORDS: Optical coatings, Antireflective coatings, Laser induced damage, Laser damage threshold, Contamination, Polishing, Optical testing, Laser processing, Deposition processes, Silica

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 14 November 2013 Paper

Paper

Laser damage comparisons of broad-bandwidth, high-reflection optical coatings containing TiO2, Nb2O5, or Ta2O5 high index layers

Ella Field, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka

Proceedings Volume 8885, 88851X (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2030068

KEYWORDS: Optical coatings, Laser induced damage, Laser damage threshold, Absorption, Silica, Refractive index, Oxygen, Refraction, Reflection, Titanium dioxide

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 9 June 2011 Paper

Paper

Z-Backlighter facility upgrades: a path to short/long pulse, multi-frame, multi-color x-ray backlighting at the Z-Accelerator

Jens Schwarz, Patrick Rambo, Matthias Geissel, Mark Kimmel, Marius Schollmeier, Ian Smith, John Bellum, Damon Kletecka, Adam Sefkow, Douglas Smith, Briggs Atherton

Proceedings Volume 8080, 80800E (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.887114

KEYWORDS: X-rays, Coating, X-ray sources, Pulsed laser operation, Crystals, Laser damage threshold, Picosecond phenomena, X-ray imaging, Aluminum, Sensors

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 2 December 2010 Paper

Paper

Dual wavelength laser damage testing for high energy lasers

Mark Kimmel, Patrick Rambo, Jens Schwarz, John Bellum, Briggs Atherton

Proceedings Volume 7842, 78421O (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.867743

KEYWORDS: Laser energy, Pulsed laser operation, Laser induced damage, Optical damage, Optical testing, Laser damage threshold, Laser systems engineering, Reflectors, Laser optics, Physics

Read Abstract +

As high energy laser systems evolve towards higher energies, fundamental material properties such as the laserinduced damage threshold (LIDT) of the optics limit the overall system performance. The Z-Backlighter Laser Facility at Sandia National Laboratories uses a pair of such kiljoule-class Nd:Phosphate Glass lasers for x-ray radiography of high energy density physics events on the Z-Accelerator. These two systems, the Z-Beamlet system operating at 527nm/ 1ns and the Z-Petawatt system operating at 1054nm/ 0.5ps, can be combined for some experimental applications. In these scenarios, dichroic beam combining optics and subsequent dual wavelength high reflectors will see a high fluence from combined simultaneous laser exposure and may even see lingering effects when used for pump-probe configurations. Only recently have researchers begun to explore such concerns, looking at individual and simultaneous exposures of optics to 1064 and third harmonic 355nm light from Nd:YAG [1]. However, to our knowledge, measurements of simultaneous and delayed dual wavelength damage thresholds on such optics have not been performed for exposure to 1054nm and its second harmonic light, especially when the pulses are of disparate pulse duration. The Z-Backlighter Facility has an instrumented damage tester setup to examine the issues of laser-induced damage thresholds in a variety of such situations [2] . Using this damage tester, we have measured the LIDT of dual wavelength high reflectors at 1054nm/0.5ps and 532nm/7ns, separately and spatially combined, both co-temporal and delayed, with single and multiple exposures. We found that the LIDT of the sample at 1054nm/0.5ps can be significantly lowered, from 1.32J/cm² damage fluence with 1054/0.5ps only to 1.05 J/cm² with the simultaneous presence of 532nm/7ns laser light at a fluence of 8.1 J/cm². This reduction of LIDT of the sample at 1054nm/0.5ps continues as the fluence of 532nm/7ns laser light simultaneously present increases. The reduction of LIDT does not occur when the 2 pulses are temporally separated. This paper will also present dual wavelength LIDT results of commercial dichroic beam-combining optics simultaneously exposed with laser light at 1054nm/2.5ns and 532nm/7ns.

Proceedings Article | 29 November 2010 Paper

Paper

Laser damage by ns and sub-ps pulses on hafnia/silica anti-reflection coatings on fused silica double-sided polished using zirconia or ceria and washed with or without an alumina wash step

John Bellum, Damon Kletecka, Mark Kimmel, Patrick Rambo, Ian Smith, Jens Schwarz, Briggs Atherton, Zachary Hobbs, Douglas Smith

Proceedings Volume 7842, 784208 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.868350

KEYWORDS: Polishing, Zirconium dioxide, Laser induced damage, Surface finishing, Coating, Antireflective coatings, Mode locking, Silica, Particles, Resistance

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 31 December 2009 Paper

Paper

Optical damage testing at the Z-Backlighter facility at Sandia National Laboratories

Mark Kimmel, Patrick Rambo, Robin Broyles, Matthias Geissel, Jens Schwarz, John Bellum, Briggs Atherton

Proceedings Volume 7504, 75041G (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.836917

KEYWORDS: Laser damage threshold, Optical damage, Pulsed laser operation, Optical testing, Silica, Laser energy, Coating, Laser induced damage, Optical coatings, Dielectrics

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 31 December 2009 Paper

Paper

Meeting thin film design and production challenges for laser damage resistant optical coatings at the Sandia Large Optics Coating Operation

John Bellum, Damon Kletecka, Patrick Rambo, Ian Smith, Mark Kimmel, Jens Schwarz, Matthias Geissel, Guild Copeland, Briggs Atherton, Douglas Smith, Claire Smith, Constantine Khripin

Proceedings Volume 7504, 75040C (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.836597

KEYWORDS: Coating, Surface roughness, Laser induced damage, Reflectivity, Mirrors, Silica, Ion beams, Atomic force microscopy, Reflection, Pulsed laser operation

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 30 December 2008 Paper

Paper

Nanosecond 1064nm damage thresholds for bare and anti-reflection coated silica surfaces

Arlee Smith, Binh Do, John Bellum, Rod Schuster, David Collier

Proceedings Volume 7132, 71321T (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.804130

KEYWORDS: Laser damage threshold, Surface finishing, Polishing, Silica, Antireflective coatings, Reflection, Q switched lasers, Coating, Pulsed laser operation, Cerium

Read Abstract +

We employed the same measurement techniques that have proven successful for bulk damage thresholds measurements to measure damage thresholds of bare silica surfaces polished using various methods and to measure damage thresholds for antireflection coated silica, again for various surface polishes. Light in a single transverse and longitudinal mode, from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is focused to an 8 µm spot on the front and rear surfaces of silica windows polished using ceria, alumina, or alumina/silica to find the damage threshold. We repeated the exercise for the same surfaces anti reflection coated with silica/hafnia film stacks. We used surface third harmonic generation to precisely place the focus on the surfaces. Key findings include: 1. The surface damage threshold can be made equal to the bulk damage threshold. There is a large difference in single-pulse damage thresholds of bare silica surfaces polished using ceria, alumina, and alumina followed by silica. The ceria polished samples have a statistical damage threshold ranging from 50 to 450 GW/cm². The alumina polished surfaces damage at 200-500 GW/cm², with half the spots damaging at the bulk threshold of 500 GW/cm². The windows polished by alumina followed by silica damage almost universally at the bulk damage threshold of 500 GW/cm². 2. There are strong conditioning effects for these surfaces. The ceria polished surfaces have reduced thresholds for multiple pulses. The alumina polished surfaces attain the bulk damage threshold at most locations using multiple pulse annealing. 3. The underlying polishes strongly affect the damage thresholds for the AR coatings. The alumina plus silica polished samples have the highest thresholds, with statistical variations from 150-380 GW/cm². The alumina polished samples damage at only 50 GW/cm², but with annealing the threshold rises to 200 GW/cm², while the ceria polished samples damage at 50-200 GW/cm² with no strong multiple shot effect. 4. We found there was no beam size variation of the damage threshold irradiance for the bare alumina/silica polished samples. 5. We showed that air breakdown does not limit the surface irradiance, silica breakdown does. 6. We recorded damage morphologies for the different surfaces.

Proceedings Article | 6 October 2003 Open Access

Open Access

Paper

Photonics at TVI Community College: a critical rung in New Mexico's photonics education ladder

John Bellum, Srini Vasan, Joel Gellman

Proceedings Volume 9663, 96630D (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2208377

KEYWORDS: Photonics, Laser optics, Laser applications, Fiber lasers, Fiber optics, Bridges, Education and training, Laser cutting, Laser development, Laser safety

Read Abstract +

Showing 5 of 31 publications

Conference Committee Involvement (3)

International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films

26 April 2010 |

International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films

27 April 2009 |

International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films

28 April 2008 |

SIGN IN TO:

View contact details

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

Is this your profile? Update it now.

Sign into your SPIE.org account

Don’t have a profile and want one?

Create an account on SPIE.org

Advertisement

Advertisement