SEDL / STP / STP799-EB / STP37245S

Damage Thresholds to Metal Mirrors by Short-Pulse CO² Laser Radiation

Figueira, JF
University of California Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM

Thomas, SJ
University of California Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM

Harrison, RF
University of California Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1983

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Abstract

Measurements of damage to metal surfaces induced by intense nanosecond pulses of ir radiation are reported. Single-shot damage thresholds of Cu, stainless steel, molybdenum and aluminum surfaces have been measured for various angles of incidence and the predicted increase in damage thresholds for grazing incidence optical components have been experimentally verified for the first time at 10-μm.

Multiple-shot damage tests have also been performed and practical lifetime curves for Cu mirrors have been established. Scanning electron micrographs of the mirror show the damage mechanism to be the development of a fine scale (1 μm) microstructure on the copper surface.