SEDL / STP / STP1028-EB / STP18551S

Optical Damage in Epoxy Polymers by Millisecond Light Pulses

Wolfe, CR
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory University of California, Livermore, Ca

Campbell, JH
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory University of California, Livermore, Ca

Lyon, RE
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory University of California, Livermore, Ca

Pitts, JH
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory University of California, Livermore, Ca

Powell, HT
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory University of California, Livermore, Ca

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1988

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Abstract

We have studied optical damage in epoxy based polymers used to attach absorbing cladding onto the edge of laser disks of the Nova laser. Damage was produced by exposing the polymers to a 20-40 J/cm² fluence of broad band Xe-flashlamp light having a pulselength of approximately 0.5 ms. This simulates the pump environment of Nd:glass laser amplifiers. The predominant damage mechanisms appear to be pyrolysis, associated with absorbing Inclusions and photolysis, associated with Intrinsic absorption of the polymer. The amount of damage can be minimized by: (1) careful filtering of the polymer to reduce the presence of foreign material, (2) minimizing the near UV absorption of the polymer and (3) reducing the UV emission of the flashlamps.