Theoretical models of laser-induced damage mechanisms in optical materials are reviewed: inclusion-initiated thermal explosion (extrinsic mechanism) and impact ionization and photoionization (intrinsic mechanisms). Different approaches to impact ionization theory based on quantum kinetic equation, Boltzman equations, and rate equations are briefly described. A relative contribution of impact ionization and photoionization predicted by these models at different laser pulse durations, including fs-range, are discussed and compared with available experimental data. Basing on an analysis of published theoretical and experimental results, a today’s state of understanding fundamental laser damage mechanisms is concluded.

Date Published: 9 July 2013
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 8786, Pacific Rim Laser Damage 2013: Optical Materials for High Power Lasers, 87861I (9 July 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2020364

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8786:
Pacific Rim Laser Damage 2013: Optical Materials for High Power Lasers
Jianda Shao; Takahisa Jitsuno; Wolfgang Rudolph, Editor(s)