Feasibility Study of Exoelectron Imaging as an NDT Method for Laser Surface Damage of Nonlinear Optical Materials and Laser Glass
Abstract
The report presents the results of a 6-month effort on the development of an NDT method to predict surface damage on dielectric materials used in high power laser systems (such as those used in communication and ordnance). The research in this program has three objectives: investigating exoelectron (EE) properties of laser optical materials after exposure to ionizing or laser radiation; correlating exoelectron images with laser surface damage characteristics; and determining the feasibility of exoelectron surface imaging as an NDT method of predicting the laser surface damage threshold. Results to date indicate that EE emission from laser glass is too weak and irreproducible to be of value. Experiments on pyroelectric LiNbO3 led to the discovery of thermally stimulated field emission. This phenomenon is presently being attributed to a high electric field on the surface of a LiNbO3 resulting from a small change in the temperature of the material.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0766244
Entities
People
- John P. Carrico
- Peter F. Braunlich