Laser Induced Damage in Optical Materials 6Th ASTM Symposium May 22-23, 1974

damag ^NS * 1/1 O NBS SPECIAL PUBLICATION 414 * ^''ffeAU of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE / National Bureau of Standards; Laser Induced Damage In Optical Materials: 1974 NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS The National Bureau of Standards' was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts research and provides: (I) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau consists of the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the Institute for Applied Technology, the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology, and the Office for Information Programs. THE INSTITUTE FOR BASIC STANDARDS provides the central basis within the United States of a complete and consistent system of physical measurement; coordinates that system with measurement systems of other nations; and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical measurements throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and commerce. The Institute consists of a Center for Radiation Research, an Office of Meas- urement Services and the following divisions: Applied Mathematics — Electricity — Mechanics — Heat — Optical Physics — Nuclear Sciences — Applied Radiation - — Quantum Electronics ' — Electromagnetics ' — Time and Frequency ^ — Laboratory Astrophysics ^ — Cryogenics ''. 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THE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION PROGRAMS promotes optimum dissemination and accessibility of scientific information generated within NBS and other agencies of the Federal Government; promotes the development of the National Standard Reference Data System and a system of information analysis centers dealing with the broader aspects of the National Measurement System; provides appropriate services to ensure that the NBS staff has optimum accessibility to the scientific information of the world. The Office consists of the following organizational units: Office of Standard Reference Data — Office of Information Activities — Office of Technical Publications — Library — Office of International Relations. ^ Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg, Maryland, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington, D.C. 20234. " Part of the Center for Radiation Research. 3 Located at Boulder, Colorado 80302. * Part of the Center for Building Technology. APR : :i. 1375 '^57°^ Laser Induced Damage 'no.^\'* In Optical Materials: 1974 iw Proceedings of a Symposium Sponsored by Ofl&ce of Naval Research The American Society for Testing and Materials And by the National Bureau of Standards May 22-23, 1974 NBS Boulder, Colorado 80302 Edited by , , , Alexander J. Glass Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Livermore, California 94550 ^ and Arthur H. Guenther Air Force Weapons Laboratory Kirkland AFB, New Mexico 87117 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Frederick B. Dent, Secrefary NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Richard W. Roberts, D/recfor Issued December 1974 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Symposium on Laser Damase in Optical Materials. 6tli. Boulder, Colo., 1974. Easer induced damage in oiilical materials, 1974. (NBS Special Publication: 414) Supt. of Docs. No.: C 13.10:414 1. Optical materials— Defects— Ciongresses. 2. Laser radiation — Congresses, 'i. La-er materials— Defects—Congresses. J. Glass, Alexander J., 1933- ed. 11. Guenther. Arthur Henry. 1931- ed. IIL United ."States. Office of Naval Research. IV. American Society for Testing and Materials. V. United .States. National Bureau of Standards. VI. Title. VII. Series: United .'States. National Bureau of Standards, .'special Publication: 414. 414 389'.08s 74-26935 OC100.U57 No. [QC374] 1 621.36] National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 414 Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.). Spec. Publ. 414, 2.56 pages (Dec. 1974) CODEN: XNBSAV U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1974 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. (Government Printing Office. Washington. D.C. 20402 (Order by SD Catalog No. C13.10:414). Price $3.15 Stock Number 0303-01355 Foreword These proceedings report in detail the formal papers presented at the 6th Annual Symposium on Laser Damage in Optical Materials held at the National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colorado on May 22 and 23, 1974, This meeting was jointly sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, National Bureau of Standards, and the American Society of Testing and Materials. The major topics covered were damage at dielectric surfaces, damage due to self-focusing, damage to dielectric coatings, and (^amage to mirrors and windows in the infrared, as well as theoretical and laser system studies and the reporting of fundamental properties important in the damage process. Furthermore, several papers dealing with improved diagnostic techniques were heard. Because of the growing importance and acceptance of machined components in high power laser systems, a workshop on the machining of optics was held, under the coordination of Captain T. T. Saito of the Air Force Weapons Laboratory. Nine papers on various facets of the topic were presented dealing with machining procedures, surface characterization of machined elements, coating of machined components and the polishing and damage resistance of polished, coated, and bare machined metal reflectors. Abstracts of these papers are included in the Symposium Proceedings proper. The co-chairmen. Dr. Alexander J. Glass of Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Livermore, California, and Dr, A. H. Guenther of the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, take full respon- sibility for the summary, conclusions, and recommendations contained in this report, as well as the summaries of the discussions at the conclusion of each presentation. It is suggested that individuals interested in the subject of this meeting obtain copies of those publications referenced in the bibli- ography contained in the summary and conclusions. It is our intention to convene another symposium next year in Boulder during May to update and document the state of the art of Laser Damage in Optical Materials at that time. This meeting will cover the subject historically presented at these symposia with additional emphasis on thin film damage, machined optics, the problem of the damage of materials and components at 10.6 ym, as well as address ourselves to the subject of optical system reliability as influenced by laser applications. Hopefully, reports relating to very short pulses, short wavelengths, and multipulse damage effects will be heard. We wish to encourage the reader to contact us on matters pertinent to the intent of these conferences. A. H. Guenther ill CONTENTS Section Page Foreword ili A. H. Guenther Summary and Conclusions vii A. J. Glass & A. H. Guenther 0.1 Opening Remarks 1 A. J. Glass DAMAGE FACTORS IN SYSTEM DESIGN 1.1 Laser Beam Divergence and Damage in Glass Amplifiers 2 K. A. Brueckner, B. Guscott, S. Jorna, K. Moncur, & L. Siebert 1.2 Nonlinear Propagation Studies 7 E. S. Bliss 1.3 Suppression of Parasitic Oscillation in Laser Rod Amplifiers 17 J. M. McMahon, R. P. Burns, & T. H. DeRieux 1.4 Optical Requirements for Laser Mirrors 23 H. E. Bennett & P. C. Archibald 1.5 Diffraction Theory of Absorbing Windows 31 M. Flannery & J. Marburger

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