Abstract

There are a growing number of applications of high intensity continuous wave (CW) laser output in the medical, industrial, and defense areas, but very few detailed experimental studies of the CW laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of uncoated and coated optics. In this paper we describe initial studies on the LIDT of thin film dielectric coated and uncoated undoped YAG optics using the 14 kW CW output from a high power fiber laser and damage test diagnostic instrumentation at the Penn State Electro-Optics Center in Freeport, Pennsylvania. The primary goals of this study were a) the determination of primary factors affecting CW coating damage limits; b) verification of coating LIDT performance; and c) the generation of realistic coating specifications that maximize system performance and reliability. We report the results relative to the best industry standard damage levels for coated and uncoated undoped YAG.

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