Based on an experimental system that can be used for simultaneous laser damage testing and time-resolved acquisition of intensity and phase images, we describe different experiments related to the study of laser damage process in the sub-picosecond regime. We report firstly on quantitative measurement of the Kerr effect in a fused silica substrate at fluences closed to the Laser Induced Damage Threshold. Then we study the damage initiation process in optical coatings, linked to intrinsic properties of the materials, and the dynamics of free electron generation and relaxation. At last, damage growth sequences are analyzed with time-resolved microscopy in order to understand laser damage growth in the case of High Reflective mirrors.

Date Published: 6 December 2016
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 10014, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials 2016, 1001417 (6 December 2016); doi: 10.1117/12.2245150

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10014:
Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials 2016
Greg J. Exarhos; Vitaly E. Gruzdev; Joseph A. Menapace; Detlev Ristau; MJ Soileau, Editor(s)