Minimizing radiation damage in nonlinear optical crystals

Patent · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871831

Cooke, D Wayne ^[1]; Bennett, Bryan L ^[2]; Cockroft, Nigel J ^[1]

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1. Santa Fe, NM
2. Los Alamos, NM

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.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 5805329
• OSTI ID: 871831
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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