Potential eye and sensor protection from tunable lasers by means of thin film aluminum mirrors

James J. DiCillo; C. H. Winston Chen; W. R. Garrett; M. G. Payne; Douglas W. Templeton

doi:10.1117/12.157689

1 March 1994 Potential eye and sensor protection from tunable lasers by means of thin film aluminum mirrors

James J. DiCillo, C. H. Winston Chen, W. R. Garrett, M. G. Payne, Douglas W. Templeton

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 33, Issue 3, (March 1994). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.157689

Abstract

An experimental investigation was conducted of the feasibility in using thin film aluminum mirrors as components of an optical system designed to attenuate laser light. When the laser light is focused onto the surface of these mirrors, the aluminum film is vaporized. Using a unique optical geometry, the laser pulse is then returned to the initial damage spot to maximize attenuation. The amount of light that eventually emerges from the optical system is significantly reduced. Results indicate a maximum attenuation of incident light of more than a factor of 10⁴. Variations of the principal experiment were performed to optimize results. An explanation of some phenomena involved and possible improvements are discussed.

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James J. DiCillo, C. H. Winston Chen, W. R. Garrett, M. G. Payne, and Douglas W. Templeton "Potential eye and sensor protection from tunable lasers by means of thin film aluminum mirrors," Optical Engineering 33(3), (1 March 1994). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.157689

Published: 1 March 1994

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