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Title: Measurements of optical loss in transparent solids using a novel spectrometer based on optical cavity decay

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6313043

Recent advances in High Average Power (HAP) solid state lasers and the development of new concept lasers with the potential of ultra- high average power output have put increasing demands on the transparency of optical window materials. To gain a better understanding of the current status of window materials and to direct research toward more nearly transparent materials, we have constructed an optical characterization facility with the purpose of making quantitative optical loss measurements in the sensitivity range of 10/sup /minus/3/ to 10/sup /minus/6/ cm/sup /minus/1/. The cornerstone of this facility is a scanning optical lossmeter in which loss is determined by comparing the decay time of an optical cavity with and without a transparent solid present. The lossmeter has been successfully applied to measurements of the optical loss of witness samples of highly transparent fused silica. A description of the lossmeter and a compilation of preliminary loss measurements are presented here. 3 refs.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6313043
Report Number(s):
UCRL-100127; CONF-890142-4; ON: DE89009900; TRN: 89-011072
Resource Relation:
Conference: Symposium on lasers and optics, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 15 Jan 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English