SEDL / STP / STP1028-EB / STP18566S

An Investigation of Laser Processing of Thin Film Coatings

Weber, AJ
Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, Mew Mexico

Stewart, AF
Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, Mew Mexico

Exarhos, GJ
Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, Mew Mexico

Pages: 8    Published: Jan 1988

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Abstract

An initial set of experiments has been conducted to determine the practicality of laser processing of thin film coatings. A high average power CO² laser was used to flood load the entire surface of each test sample. Thin film coatings of HfO² and MgF² on fused silica substrates were irradiated with power densities between 25 and 125 W/cm².

Extensive pre- and post-test characterization revealed that some changes in the microstructure were observed, the coating optical thickness was reduced and short wavelength transmission was improved.