Glancing incidence optics for high power lasers

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6626938

Mumola, P B; Jordan, D C

The design of optical systems for high power lasers is ultimately constrained by the damage of optical surfaces due to the laser fluence. In CO/sub 2/ laser fusion systems, the damage to copper mirrors in vacuum is attributed to melting produced by the absorbed laser energy. The Fresnel equations indicate that the use of metal mirrors at high angles of incidence (75-85 degrees from normal) results in reduced absorption of properly polarized light. This should lead to a commensurate improvement in damage resistance. Other benefits to be accrued include improved transmitted wavefront quality (for a given mirror figure error) and, of course, lower transmission losses. Application of glancing incidence concepts to advanced CO/sub 2/ laser fusion systems will be described with emphasis on beam transfer and focusing mirrors. Applications to other systems at shorter wavelengths typical of the rare gas halide lasers will also be discussed.

• Research Organization: Perkin-Elmer Corp., Norwalk, CT
• OSTI ID: 6626938
• Report Number(s): CONF-810429-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. Eng.; (United States) Journal Volume: 288
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
COPPER
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LOSSES
FOCUSING
GAS LASERS
INCIDENCE ANGLE
LASER MIRRORS
LASERS
LOSSES
METALS
MIRRORS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
POWER LOSSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
REFLECTIVITY
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS