Automated system for laser damage testing of coated optics

Dale C. Ness; Alan D. Streater

doi:10.1117/12.638987

7 February 2006 Automated system for laser damage testing of coated optics

Dale C. Ness, Alan D. Streater

Proceedings Volume 5991, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2005; 59912B (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.638987
Event: Boulder Damage Symposium XXXVII: Annual Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers, 2005, Boulder, CO, United States

Abstract

Research Electro-Optics Inc. (REO) has recently developed a new laser damage testing facility for the purpose of optimizing process parameters for fabrication and coating of high-damage optics. It also enables full or sample qualification of optics with laser damage specifications. The fully automated laser damage testing system uses microscope photography for detection of damage and a 3 ns pulse length 1064 nm laser for irradiation of the sample. It can test and statistically analyze damage events from a large number of shots, enabling large area testing for low probability events. The system measures and maps sizes and locations of damage sites down to a few microns in diameter. The results are not subject to variations due to the human operator. For coatings deposited by ion beam sputtering, small defects (less than 20 microns) are found to be most prevalent at the fluences specified for small optics for the National Ignition Facility. The ability to measure and characterize small defects has improved REO's ability to optimize their processes for making coated optics with high damage thresholds. In addition to qualifying particular parts, the periodic testing also assures that equipment and processes remain optimized.

Citation Download Citation

Dale C. Ness and Alan D. Streater "Automated system for laser damage testing of coated optics", Proc. SPIE 5991, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2005, 59912B (7 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.638987

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