High laser-induced damage threshold polarizer-coatings for 1054 nm

Douglas J. Smith; J. F. Anzellotti; Semyon Papernov; Z. Roman Chrzan

doi:10.1117/12.274267

13 May 1997 High laser-induced damage threshold polarizer-coatings for 1054 nm

Douglas J. Smith, J. F. Anzellotti, Semyon Papernov, Z. Roman Chrzan

Proceedings Volume 2966, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1996; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.274267
Event: Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1996, 1996, Boulder, CO, United States

Abstract

Polarizer coatings developed for the OMEGA laser are performing well without sustaining any significant damage. Similar polarizers developed for the National Ignition Facility have exceptionally high damage thresholds when tested with a 1-ns pulse at 1054 nm. Polarizers for OMEGA were originally developed using Ta₂O₅/SiO₂ multilayers. All final polarizers before the frequency conversion cell were made using this method. A new coating was developed for a polarizing beamsplitter with more stringent optical and laser-damage requirements. The new coating used a HfO₂/SIO₂ system with the hafnia formed by reactive evaporation from a hafnium metal melt. The new process provided better film control, lower defect counts, better stress control, and higher damage thresholds. Beamsplitter coatings made from both processes were installed in the OMEGA laser. After 1.5 years of operation the Ta₂O₅/SiO₂ beamsplitters are developing signs of damage on OMEGA while the HfO₂/SiO₂ coatings show no damage. The HfO₂/SiO₂ process was also used to develop polarizer coatings for the NIF. Damage- threshold results from 1-on-1 testing will be presented for both types of polarizers. Experimental results show that the coating damage threshold is not strongly dependent on deposition parameters, allowing use of these parameters to control film stress. The damage thresholds are higher for s- polarized incident light, and different damage morphologies for the two polarizations have been observed. A base layer of scandium oxide that allows the coating to be safely stripped does not affect the polarizer damage threshold.

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Douglas J. Smith, J. F. Anzellotti, Semyon Papernov, and Z. Roman Chrzan "High laser-induced damage threshold polarizer-coatings for 1054 nm", Proc. SPIE 2966, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1996, (13 May 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.274267

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KEYWORDS

Polarizers

Laser damage threshold

Beam splitters

National Ignition Facility

Optical coatings

Laser development

Laser optics

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