Performance of protective polymeric coatings for nonlinear optical materials

Abstract
KDP, KD*P, and LiNbO3, three nonlinear optical materials that have been difficult to coat, are treated with polymeric surface layers. These layers hermetically seal the hygroscopic crystal surfaces. Their optical properties, thermal compatibility, high-power laser damage behavior, abrasive resistance, and suitability for overcoating with traditional, dielectric antireflection multilayers are reported.