Improvement of laser damage thresholds of fused silica by ultrasonic-assisted hydrofluoric acid etching

Polished fused silica samples were etched for different durations by using hydrofluoric（HF） acid solution with HF concentrations in an ultrasonic field. Surface and subsurface polishing residues and molecular structure parameters before and after the etching process were characterized by using a fluorescence microscope and infrared（IR） spectrometer, respectively. The laser induced damage thresholds（LIDTs） of the samples were measured by using pulsed nanosecond laser with wavelength of 355 nm. The results showed that surface and subsurface polishing residues can be effectively reduced by the acid etching process, and the LIDTs of fused silica are significantly improved. The etching effects increased with the increase of the HF concentration from 5 wt.% to 40 wt.%. The amount of polishing residues decreased with the increase of the etching duration and then kept stable. Simultaneously, with the increase of the etching time, the mechanical strength and molecular structure were improved.

High laser damage threshold coatings and damage testing technology

The laser-induced damage threshold(LIDT) of optical coating is a limited factor for development of a high peak power laser. The automatic damage testing facility was built to determine the LIDT of optics at 1 064 nm and 355 nm.. The cleanning and processing procedure of the substrate and coating technique were improved, and the damage resistance of high-reflective coating at 1 064 nm was increased.

Laser-induced damage threshold in HfO_2/SiO_2 multilayer films irradiated by β-ray

Post-processing can effectively improve the resistance to laser damage in multilayer films used in a high power laser system. In this work, HfO_2/SiO_2 multilayer films are prepared by e-beam evaporation and then β-ray irradiation is employed as the post-processing method. The particle irradiation affects the laser induced damage threshold(LIDT),which includes defects, surface roughness, packing density and residual stress. The residual stress that is relaxed during irradiation changes from compressive stress into tensile stress. Our results indicate that appropriate tensile stress can improve LIDT remarkably. In view of the fact that LIDT rises from 8 J/cm^2 to 12 J/cm^2, i.e., 50% increase, after the film has been irradiated by 2.2×10^(13)/cm^2 β-ray, the particle irradiation can be used as a controllable and desirable postprocessing method to improve the resistance to laser induced damage.

Correlation between Coating Adhesion and Damage Threshold: Simple Method of Reliability Assessment for Optoelectronic Applications

It is demonstrated that inherent coating adhesion and damage threshold are correlated for Ta2O5 and HfO2 coatings widely used in optoelectronic devices. By utilizing a newly proposed 1-h boiling water test combined with the optical aging under high-power laser irradiation, we show that an optical coating that survives the 1-h boiling water test withstands the damage threshold, ensuring the field service life even in harsh environments. Besides the standard evaluation methods, which may have limitations for applications required in harsh environments, the 1-h boiling water test can serve as an alternative method of reliability assessment for optical coatings. A heuristics herein can be used as a gating item for qualification of optical coatings for various applications.

Experimental damage thresholds of a laser suppression imaging system using a cubic phase plate

The development of laser systems leads to an increasing threat to photoelectric imaging sensors.A cubic phase plate wavefront coding imaging system is proposed to reduce the risk of damage owing to intense laser radiation.Based on the wavefront coding imaging model,the diffracted spot profile and the light intensity distribution on the observation plane are simulated.An experimental device is set up to measure the laser-induced damage thresholds and investigate the morphology of laser-induced damage patterns of the conventional and the wavefront encoding imaging system.Simulations and experimental results manifest the superior laser suppression performance of the proposed method,which can help diminish the undesirable effects of laser irradiation on an imaging sensor.

Annealing Effects on Structural,Optical Properties and Laser-Induced Damage Threshold of MgF2 Thin Films

The chemical structures, optical properties and laser-induced damage thresholds of magnesium fluoride films annealed at different temperatures were investigated. The results showed that the stoichiometry of MgF2 film changed a little with the increase in annealing temperature. Analysis of the optical properties indicated that excellent antireflection behavior of the film in the range of 200-400 nm can be obtained by the samples coated with MgF2 film. The refractive index increased and the extinction coefficient decreased with increasing annealing temperature. Compared with the asdeposited films, the laser-induced damage threshold was improved after annealing process and decreased with the increase in annealing temperature, which was probably due to the denser film and more absorption centers under higher annealing temperature.

Femtosecond laser-induced damage threshold in snow micro-structured targets

Enhanced acceleration of protons to high energy by relatively modest high power ultra-short laser pulses, interacting with snow micro-structured targets was recently proposed. A notably increased proton energy was attributed to a combination of several mechanisms such as localized enhancement of the laser field intensity near the tip of 1 μm size whisker and increase in the hot electron concentration near the tip. Moreover, the use of mass-limited target prevents undesirable spread of absorbed laser energy out of the interaction zone. With increasing laser intensity a Coulomb explosion of the positively charged whisker will occur. All these mechanisms are functions of the local density profile and strongly depend on the laser pre-pulse structure. To clarify the effect of the pre-pulse on the state of the snow micro-structured target at the time of interaction with the main pulse, we measured the optical damage threshold(ODT) of the snow targets. ODT of 0.4 J/cm^2 was measured by irradiating snow micro-structured targets with 50 fs duration pulses of Ti:Sapphire laser.

High laser damage threshold LiNa_(5)Mo_(9)O_(30) prism:for visible to mid-infrared range

In this study,an excellent polarization optical crystal LiNa_(5)Mo_(9)O_(30) with wide transmission range and high laser damage threshold was researched in detail.The laser damage threshold of the LiNa_(5)Mo_(9)O_(30) crystal was measured to be 2.64GW/cm^(2),which was the highest among polarized optical crystals.The birefringence in the range of 0.435-5μm was larger than 0.14,while the wedge angle between 31.94°and 32.12°would satisfy the application in this waveband.The extinction ratio of the fabricated prism with the wedge angel of 31.09°was larger than 15,000:1.The results show that the LiNa_(5)Mo_(9)O_(30) prism is an excellent polarization device,especially in the mid-infrared range and high-power applications.

Research progress on mid-IR nonlinear optical crystals with high laser damage threshold in China

Nonlinear optical(NLO)crystals have been playing an increasingly important role in laser science and technology.The NLO crystals used in the middle infrared(mid-IR)region,compared with the NLO crystals in the other wavelength regions,are still not good enough for the application of high-energy laser.The main defect is that their laser damage thresholds(LDT)are low.Chinese scientists have made a lot of important contributions to the UV and visible NLO crystals.In the last decade,they also did a lot of work on the mid-IR NLO materials.The main purpose of these researches is to increase the LDT and simultaneously balance the other properties.This paper presents a brief summary of their research progress in this topic on three types of materials:chalcogenides,oxides,and halides.The emphasis is put on the design strategy and quality control of the crystals.

High damage threshold liquid crystal binary mask for laser beam shaping

In order to improve the damage threshold and enlarge the aperture of a laser beam shaper, photolithographic patterning technology is adopted to design a new type of liquid crystal binary mask. The inherent conductive metal layer of commercial liquid crystal electro-optical spatial light modulators is replaced by azobenzene-based photoalignment layers patterned by noncontact photolithography. Using the azobenzene-based photoalignment layer, a liquid crystal binary mask for beam shaping is fabricated. In addition, the shaping ability, damage threshold, write/erase flexibility and stability of the liquid crystal binary mask are tested. Using a 1 Hz near-IR(1064 nm) laser, the multiple-shot nanosecond damage threshold of the liquid crystal mask is measured to be higher than 15 J/cm^2. The damage threshold of the azobenzenebased photoalignment layer is higher than 50 J/cm^2 under the same testing conditions.

Two localized CO_2 laser treatment methods for mitigation of UV damage growth in fused silica

Two methods：high-power,short-time,single-shot irradiation（Method A） and low-power,long-time,multi-shot irradiation（Method B） are investigated to mitigate the UV damage growth in fused silica by using a 10.6-μm CO2 laser.To verify the mitigation effect of the two methods,the laser induced damage thresholds（LIDTs） of the mitigated sites are tested with a 355-nm,6.4-ns Nd：YAG laser,and the light modulation of the mitigation sites are tested with a 351-nm continuous Nd：YLF laser.The mitigated damaged sites treated with the two methods have almost the same LIDTs,which can recover to the level of pristine material.Compared with Method A,Method B produces mitigated sites with low crater depth and weak light modulation.In addition,there is no raised rim or re-deposited debris formed around the crater edge for Method B.Theoretical calculation is utilized to evaluate the central temperature of the CO2 laser beam irradiated zone and the radius of the crater.It is indicated that the calculated results are consistent with the experimental results.

Mechanism of micro-waviness induced KH_2PO_4 crystal laser damage and the corresponding vibration source

The low laser induced damage threshold of the KH2PO4 crystal seriously restricts the output power of inertial confinement fusion.The micro-waviness on the KH2PO4 surface processed by single point diamond turning has a significant influence on the damage threshold.In this paper,the influence of micro-waviness on the damage threshold of the KH2PO4 crystal and the chief sources introducing the micro-waviness are analysed based on the combination of the Fourier modal theory and the power spectrum density method.Research results indicate that among the sub-wavinesses with different characteristic spatial frequencies there exists the most dangerous frequency which greatly reduces the damage threshold,although it may not occupy the largest proportion in the original surface.The experimental damage threshold is basically consistent with the theoretical calculation.For the processing parameters used,the leading frequency of micro-waviness which causes the damage threshold to decrease is between 350-1 μm-1 and 30-1 μm-1,especially between 90-1 μm-1 and 200-1 μm-1.Based on the classification study of the time frequencies of microwaviness,we find that the axial vibration of the spindle is the chief source introducing the micro-waviness,nearly all the leading frequencies are related to the practical spindle frequency（about 6.68 Hz,400 r/min） and a special middle frequency（between 1.029 Hz and 1.143 Hz）.

Preparation and laser induced damage properties of rare earth doped BAS glass

Rare earth doped B2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 glass （RExBAS, x=5, 10, 20; RE=La, Sm） were prepared by solid state reaction method. Optical transmission spectra of such glass were characterized by ultraviolet spectrometers, and 1064 nm laser induced damage performance was investigated through the method of ＂1-on-1＂. The results indicated that there was a strong absorptive peak near 1064 nm in SmxBAS glass, the peak was enhanced with increasing x. While LaxBAS glass was transparent to 1064 nm laser, at the same time, the results of laser induced damage showed that the anti-laser induced damage performance of such glass was strengthened with the addition of rare earth oxide. Furthermore, the laser induced damage threshold （LIDT） of SmxBAS glass was significantly higher than that of LaxBAS glass. Consequently, Sm^3＋ doping was favor in the improvement of anti-laser induced damage performance for BAS glass.

Application of thermal stress model to paint removal by Q-switched Nd:YAG laser

In this paper, we demonstrate that thermal stress is the main mechanism in the process of paint removal by Q-switched Nd：YAG laser （λ = 1064 nm, τ = 10 ns）. A theoretical model ofpaint removal by short-pulse laser is established from the perspective of thermal stress. Thermal stress is generated by thermal expansion, and the temperatures of different samples are calculated according to the one-dimensional （1D） heat conduction equation. The theoretical cleaning threshold can be obtained by comparing thermal stress with the adhesion of paint, and the theoretical damage threshold is obtained by calculating the temperature. Moreover, the theoretical calculations are verified by experimental results. It is shown that the thermal stress model of the laser cleaning is very useful to choose the appropriate laser fluence in the practical applications of paint removal by Q-switched Nd： YAG laser because our model can validly balance the efficiency of laser cleaning and the safety of the substrate.

Low-Cost Automated PV Panel Dust Cleaning System for Rural Communities

Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) panels degrades PV panels’ performance;leading to decreased power output and consequently high cost per generated kilowatt. Research addressing the severity of dust accumulation on PV panels has been ongoing since the 1940s, but proposed solutions have tended to increase the cost of PV systems either from oversizing or from cleaning the system. The objective of this work, therefore, is to design and implement a low-cost affordable automated PV panel dust cleaning system for use in rural communities of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA);where financial resources are limited and significantly strained in meeting livelihood activities. Complete design and implementation details of a prototype system are provided for easy replication and capitalization on PV systems for sustainable energy needs. The system detects dust based on the innovative use of light-dependent resistors. Testing and observation of the system in operational mode reveal satisfactory performance;measured parameters quantify a power output increase of 33.76% as a result of cleaning dust off the PV panel used in the study.

核电站放射性污染金属部件激光复合去污技术研究

探究放射性污染金属部件的清洁解控或重新利用新技术,可用于减少核电站废金属产生量。本研究针对锈蚀的4140钢,提出激光复合去污技术,并与单一的干冰去污和激光去污进行对比试验。通过对基体试样的微观形貌、成分分布、金相组织、三维形貌进行测试,分析其表面粗糙度、显微硬度的变化趋势,以确定激光复合去污效果,最后在核电站中实现工程验证。测试和验证结果表明,激光复合去污技术可将4140钢表面的锈蚀层完全去除,获得最佳的去污效果,且不影响基体材料的成分、组织及力学性能。沾污电机叶轮去污后表面沾污水平均<0.4Bq/cm^(2),表面接触剂量率均<40nSv/h,达到核电站固体废物清洁解控标准。因此,激光复合去污技术可为核电站放射性污染金属部件的去污提供新方法,实现废物最小化。

卫星用高能激光防护技术发展现状

高能激光技术不断发展,逐渐成为卫星在轨安全的威胁。介绍了高能连续激光和脉冲激光武器对卫星损伤机制的研究进展。针对卫星太阳电池阵、相机、星敏感器等光学系统以及热控多层、复合材料推进剂储箱等非光学关键结构防护特点,总结分析了线性光学防护薄膜、非线性光学防护薄膜、相变材料、机械快门、高损伤阈值薄膜和防护罩等各种高能激光防护技术的主要原理、发展现状和技术特点。

硫系玻璃基底减反射激光薄膜的设计及制备

目的随着红外技术的发展,硫系玻璃已作为红外光学元件得到一定使用,然而硫系玻璃在3~5μm波段的透射率不能满足使用要求,并且红外薄膜用于探测器中易遭受强激光的辐照而损伤。针对硫系玻璃(As_(40)Se_(60))基底镀制薄膜易脱落、透射率低,以及抗激光能力差等问题,设计并制备出在3~5μm波段具有良好透射率、在1064 nm处具有抗激光能力的薄膜。方法制备ZnSe、ZnS和YbF_(3)单层膜,测量其光学常数并进行膜系设计。优化设计出的红外多层薄膜结构为S|0.61H0.21L0.32M0.26L0.2M0.32L0.28M-0.17L0.35M0.28L0.13M0.61L|A,其中H代表ZnSe、M代表ZnS、L代表YbF_(3)、S代表硫系玻璃、A代表空气,数字为膜层的光学厚度,设计波长λ_(0)=4000 nm,薄膜的厚度为2055 nm,光谱性能为:在3~5μm波段双面镀膜时的平均透射率为95.67%,峰值透射率为99.11%,(1064±40)nm波段单面镀膜时的平均透射率为7.62%。在制备过程中,从膜基材料的热膨胀系数差异入手进行优化,工艺参数为:烘烤温度70℃,离子能量100 eV,离子束流20 mA,此参数下薄膜样品的残余应力为−30.0 MPa。结果所制备薄膜的附着性能符合要求,在3~5μm波段双面镀膜时平均透射率为95.38%,峰值透射率为99.07%,在(1064±40)nm范围内单面镀膜时的平均透射率为4.46%,在1064 nm处的激光损伤阈值为7.6 J/cm^(2)。结论在硫系玻璃基底制备薄膜时,从膜基材料的热膨胀系数差异入手,合理优化烘烤温度与离子参数,可以降低薄膜的残余应力,提高薄膜的附着性能。

PEG含量对多孔膜光学带隙及激光损伤特性的影响

采用溶胶凝胶技术结合旋涂法,在石英基底及Si基底上分别制备了孔隙率不同的TiO_(2)和SiO_(2)薄膜,并对两者的光学及激光损伤特性进行了研究。根据透射光谱曲线计算出薄膜的光学带隙,发现光学带隙随着孔隙率的增大而增大,TiO_(2)薄膜的光学带隙大小为3.75 eV~3.97 eV,SiO_(2)薄膜的光学带隙大小为3.52 eV~3.78 eV。椭偏测量结果表明,当聚乙二醇(polyethylene glycol,PEG)质量分数从0、0.8%、4.0%提高至8.0%时,在波长1064 nm处,TiO_(2)薄膜的孔隙率从11.5%、14.1%、30.9%增大至38.7%,折射率从2.0635、2.0165、1.7481降低至1.6409;SiO_(2)薄膜的孔隙率从4.04%、4.6%、5.7%提升至13.9%,折射率从1.4386、1.4358、1.4204降低至1.3879。除PEG质量分数为0.8%的TiO_(2)薄膜外,所有TiO_(2)和SiO_(2)薄膜样品的消光系数均优于10-3,说明薄膜的吸收较小。薄膜的激光损伤阈值(laser induced damage threshold,LIDT)受孔隙率的影响较大,孔隙率越大,TiO_(2)薄膜的激光损伤阈值越高,其值最高可达16.7 J/cm~2;而SiO_(2)薄膜的激光损伤阈值较未添加PEG的激光损伤阈值并未提高,当PEG质量分数从0.8%增加到8.0%时,SiO_(2)薄膜的激光损伤阈值提高了1.9 J/cm~2。总而言之,提高孔隙率有助于提高薄膜的抗激光损伤性能。

基于损伤程度量化评估的光学薄膜元件激光损伤阈值测量方法

光学薄膜元件是高功率激光器中的关键器件,其抗激光损伤的能力对整个激光系统的运行至关重要。精确测量薄膜元件激光诱导损伤阈值对提升激光器使用寿命与出光效率有着重要意义。提出一种新型激光损伤程度量化评估法,该方法对薄膜元件在不同能量密度下的激光损伤程度量化分析,通过损伤趋势拟合,评估激光损伤阈值。对激光损伤区域的量化采用图像超分辨白光显微干涉测量法,可实现纳米量级测量精度。通过仿真验证该测量方法可实现纳米量级损伤结构的三维重构,重构损伤区域误差小于0.01%。在实验部分,以激光谐振腔镜及窗口片为测试样品,无需大量重复性激光损伤实验,基于单片样品在一组不同能量密度激光束照射下产生的单次损伤结果实现测量,结果数据与S-on-1方法吻合,偏差小于0.5 J/cm^(2),两个样品多次测量结果的标准差分别为0.361 J/cm^(2)和0.064 J/cm^(2)。