Beyond perfection: the need for understanding contamination effects on real-world optics

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Revolutionary improvements in optical substrates and coatings over the past 25 years allow the design of efficient lasers with 2 to 3X margins to optical damage in real world applications. Despite this, optics failures are frequently encountered during alignment and use, particularly in systems operating in short-pulse modes under sealed-off conditions. The presence of low-level contaminants, due to assembly processes and/or offgassing, is generally the source of this damage. No existing criteria provide scientifically established guidance in selecting or using optical materials to preclude or eliminate these problems. A critical need exists to develop and compile quantitative data analogous to NASA guides for spacecraft materials, allowing designers to control optics damage in future laser systems.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: