Laser Damage Threshold-cfm-facilities

Laser Damage Threshold

The laser damage threshold (LDT) or laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) is the limit at which an optic or material will be damaged by a laser given the fluence (energy per area), intensity (power per area), and wavelength. LDT values are relevant to both transmissive and reflective optical elements and in applications where the laser induced modification or destruction of a material is the intended outcome. For long pulses or continuous wave lasers the primary damage mechanism tends to be thermal. Since both transmitting and reflecting optics have non-zero absorption, the laser can deposit thermal energy into the optic. At a certain point, there can be sufficient localized heating to either affect the material properties or induce thermal shock. Dielectric breakdown occurs in insulating materials whenever the electric field is sufficient to induce electrical conductivity. For very short, high power pulses, avalanche breakdown can occur.

Specifications:

• Brand: Litron Lasers
• He-Ne Laser-632nm

Research Focus:

• Laser cutting
• Pulsed laser deposition
• Certain laser medicine techniques
• Plasma generation, especially for Wakefield acceleration
• Laser weapons