Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials

Abstract

The report contains the results of damage experiments performed at 0. 694 and 1.06 micrometer using well-controlled Q-switched ruby and Nd:YAG lasers. Materials studied at 1.06 micrometer are proustite (Ag3AsS3) and lithium niobate (LiNbO3). Surface damage thresholds were measured for proustite for different conditions of pulse repetition rate and pulse duration. A discussion of the theories of optical avalanche breakdown is presented in which doubts are raised as to whether 'intrinsic' breakdown has ever been observed. Arguments are presented that support the likelihood that ionic impurities play a crucial role in optical breakdown.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1974
Accession Number
AD0777146

Entities

People

  • Concetto R. Giuliano
  • Robert W. Hellwarth

Organizations

  • HRL Laboratories

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amplifiers
  • Dielectrics
  • Electron Beams
  • Electrons
  • Ion Beams
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Damage
  • Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Optical Properties
  • Piezoceramics
  • Repetition Rate
  • Ruby Lasers
  • Scattering
  • X Rays
  • Yag Lasers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy