Optical glasses for high-peak-power laser applications
Only a limited number of optical glasses are commercially available that can be used in high-fluence laser applications between 0.35 and 1.05 {mu}m. These include primarily certain phosphate glasses and fused silica. Phosphate glasses can now be made free of Pt-inclusions; the technology leading to this improvement is briefly discussed. In addition, inclusion-free fused silica can be made by a high temperature, chemical-vapor-deposition (CVD) process. Measured damage thresholds over a range of wavelengths and pulse lengths are reported for these materials. In addition, the use of doped layers of plasma CVD fused silica as a means of making high damage-threshold rugate filters is presented. The impact of a high nonlinear refractive index (n{sub 2}) on the spatial profile of the laser beam is discussed. Dramatic improvements in laser performance are possible if an inclusion-free, low-n{sub 2} glass (such as fluorophosphate) could be made. Multiphoton absorption and solarization of fused silica at 351 nm are also reviewed; fused silica continues to be the preferred material for high fluence applications at this wavelength.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 10179167
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC--109255; CONF-920792--31; ON: DE92040403
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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