Enhanced performance of large 3w optics using UV and IR lasers

Rahul R. Prasad; Justin R. Bruere; John Peterson; John M. Halpin; Michael Borden; Richard P. Hackel

doi:10.1117/12.523853

10 June 2004 Enhanced performance of large 3ω optics using UV and IR lasers

Rahul R. Prasad, Justin R. Bruere, John Peterson, John M. Halpin, Michael Borden, Richard P. Hackel

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5273, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2003; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.523853
Event: XXXV Annual Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers: Boulder Damage Symposium, 2003, Boulder, Colorado, United States

Abstract

We have developed techniques using small-beam raster scanning to laser-condition fused silica optics to increase their damage threshold. Further, we showed that CO₂ lasers could be used to mitigate and stabilize damage sites while still on the order of a few tens of microns in size, thereby greatly increasing the lifetime of an optic. We recently activated the Phoenix pre-production facility to condition and mitigate optics as large as 43 cm x 43 cm. Several full-scale optics have been processed in Phoenix. The optics were first photographed using a damage mapping system to identify scratches, digs, or other potential sites for initiation of laser damage. We then condition the optic, raster scanning with the excimer laser. The first scan is performed at a low fluence. A damage map is then acquired and any new damage sites or any sites that have grown in size are mitigated using the CO₂ laser. The process is repeated at successively higher fluences until a factor of 1.7 above the nominal operating fluence is reached. After conditioning, optics were tested in a large beam 3ω laser and showed no damage at fluences of 8 J/cm² average.

Citation Download Citation

Rahul R. Prasad, Justin R. Bruere, John Peterson, John M. Halpin, Michael Borden, and Richard P. Hackel "Enhanced performance of large 3ω optics using UV and IR lasers", Proc. SPIE 5273, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2003, (10 June 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.523853

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