SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP37253S

Laser Mirror Operation at Cryogenic Temperatures

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It has been suggested many times that operation of laser mirrors at low temperatures could result in significant performance improvements. Specifically for metal mirrors, the advantage perceived is in decreased absorption and increased thermal conductivity. For dielectric-enhanced mirrors, presumably a similar advantage would be present in lowering both the absorption of the initial metal film and perhaps lowering absorption in the dielectric films as well. From an engineering point of view, this proposition is not entirely academic, at least for space applications, where entirely passive methods of cooling could be employed.

This paper presents experimental absorptance vs wavelength and temperature data over the range from 1 to 10 μm and from room temperature to 80°K. Included in this study are silver samples prepared by different techniques including diamond single-point machining. Also included are similar data for a multilayer dielectric mirror. Theoretical interpretation of the performance of both mirror types is made with recommendations for actual use.

Author Information

Decker, DL
Hodgkin, VA
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Details
Developed by Committee: F01
Pages: 298–303
DOI: 10.1520/STP37253S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4865-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0708-3