* W.W.D. and D.J.S. are at the physics department, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. J.-P.M. and M.G. are at the defence research establishment, Valcartier, Quebec, Canada
Abstract:
Coupling coefficients for 10.6μm laser radiation on stainless steel have been measured experimentally under oxidizing and vacuum conditions. A theoretical model has been developed that relates the growth of an oxide layer to changes in coupling coefficients.