High-laser-damage-threshold potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals

Journal Article · Mon Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.346259· OSTI ID:6333080

Montgomery, K E; Milanovich, F P ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA (USA)

Development of solid-state laser drivers of higher operating fluence is dependent upon the damage resistance of the frequency conversion crystals. We have demonstrated the correlation between the purity of the crystal growth solution and the laser damage threshold of single-crystal potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). Impurities introduced in the growth process can be atomic species, inorganic or organic compounds (dissolved or particulate), or bacteria. We have developed a purification process for KDP that minimizes contamination: initial recrystallization of bulk KDP followed by ozonation to remove oxidizable material, ultrafiltration to remove nonoxidized particles, and UV-light exposure to suppress bacterial growth. We have also developed a crystal growth method that excludes load-bearing surfaces, which are a potential source of particulate contamination, from the growth environment. The method, which incorporates continuous filtration and continuous flow of the growth solution has yielded crystals with damage thresholds of 28.6 J/cm{sup 2} at 355 nm and greater than 64 J/cm{sup 2} at 1064 nm (10-ns pulse length).

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6333080
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA) Vol. 68:8; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360605* -- Materials-- Radiation Effects
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
BACTERIA
CONTAMINATION
CRYSTAL GROWTH
CRYSTALS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMPURITIES
LASER RADIATION
MICROORGANISMS
MONOCRYSTALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHATES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM PHOSPHATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS