Abstract
Results of a novel X-ray laser application, aimed at understanding the microscopic effects involved in formation of laserinduced damage in optical materials exposed to sub-ns laser pulses, will be presented. Specifically, we studied thin plane beamsplitters that are presently the weakest element of the next generation of high-energy lasers (LMJ, NIF), with permanent damage threshold below 20 J/cm2. Standard fused silica substrates and a model system, containing welldefined micron grooves as seeding sites to trigger damage when irradiated by 438 nm laser pulses, were in situ probed by a neon-like zinc X-ray laser delivering up to 10 mJ at 21.2 nm. The probing beamline employed a double Lloyd's mirror interferometer, used in conjunction with an imaging mirror to provide magnification of ∼8. In conjunction with an array of in-situ optical diagnostics, one of the questions addressed was whether the damage (transient or permanent) on the rear surface of the beamsplitter occurs during or after the laser pulse, i.e. whether it is due to local electrical fields or to other processes. Another issue, examined by both the X-ray interferometric microscopy and the optical diagnostics, is whether a local rear-surface modification is associated with non-linear effects (self-focusing, filamentation) of the laser beam in the bulk.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Damage to VUV, EUV, and X-Ray Optics II |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | Damage to VUV, EUV, and X-Ray Optics II - Prague, Czech Republic Duration: 21 Apr 2009 → 23 Apr 2009 |
Publication series
Name | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
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Volume | 7361 |
ISSN (Print) | 0277-786X |
Conference
Conference | Damage to VUV, EUV, and X-Ray Optics II |
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Country/Territory | Czech Republic |
City | Prague |
Period | 21/04/2009 → 23/04/2009 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright:Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Fused silica
- Laser-induced optical damage
- X-ray laser
- XUV interferometric microscopy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Computer Science Applications
- Applied Mathematics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering