Recent advancements in high repetition rate and high average power laser systems have put increasing demands on the development of solid state laser materials with high thermal loading capabilities.

We have investigated strengthening of commercially available Nd doped phosphate glass via an ion-exchange process. Introduction of a compressive layer to the glass' exterior surfaces through this exchange, results in dramatically improved (approximately 4-5x) thermal shock resistance for specific sample geometries. This resulting increase in strength was directly measured through thermal shock resistance tests.

Our thermal shock test data showed extremely small (approximately ± 5%) standard deviations compared with data acquired through conventional mechanical fracture techniques. Additional topics investigated were strengthened layer thickness and effectiveness as a function of treatment time and the relationship of strengthening to the overall optical quality of the strengthened sample's surface.