Laser Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1981 gathers the best papers from the Thirteenth Annual Boulder Damage Symposium, a major meeting for researchers working with high‑power laser optics.
This edition captures the latest findings on how materials and coatings withstand intense laser light, with a focus on practical measurements and real‑world applications.
The book surveys topics across materials, measurements, mirrors and surfaces, thin films, and the fundamental mechanisms of laser‑matter interactions. It emphasizes advances in high‑power systems and the wavelength range most relevant to these devices, from the infrared through the ultraviolet. Readers will find discussions of surface characterization, film–substrate interfaces, and how damage thresholds scale with pulse duration, beam size, and wavelength.
Key topics include:
- Methods for evaluating damage thresholds and thermal effects in optical materials
- Dielectric coatings and multilayer mirrors designed for high‑power performance
- Cryogenic mirror concepts and issues surrounding dimensional stability
- Case studies on materials like Zerodur, ULE, and fused silica used as optical substrates
- The role of thin films and coatings in preventing or delaying damage
Ideal for researchers, engineers, and students in optics labs, this volume provides concrete data, practical techniques, and a clear view of where the field is headed as laser power and precision requirements grow.