Minimizing radiation damage in nonlinear optical crystals

Patent · 08 September 1998

OSTI ID:672701

Cooke, D W; Bennett, B L; Cockroft, N J

Methods are disclosed for minimizing laser induced damage to nonlinear crystals, such as KTP crystals, involving various means for electrically grounding the crystals in order to diffuse electrical discharges within the crystals caused by the incident laser beam. In certain embodiments, electrically conductive material is deposited onto or into surfaces of the nonlinear crystals and the electrically conductive surfaces are connected to an electrical ground. To minimize electrical discharges on crystal surfaces that are not covered by the grounded electrically conductive material, a vacuum may be created around the nonlinear crystal. 5 figs.

• Research Organization: University of California
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Univ. of California, Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,805,329/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-630,305
• OSTI ID: 672701
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
DAMAGE
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC GROUNDS
FREQUENCY CONVERTERS
LASER MATERIALS
LASER RADIATION
MITIGATION
NONLINEAR OPTICS