Laser damage in optical materials at 1.06 μm

The high power and energy densities in a Q-switched laser beam modify the optical characteristics of a transmitting material and may ultimately cause damage. This paper reviews the mechanisms by which laser-induced damage occurs and summarizes the forms of such damage which are seen in practice. The experimental conditions for making accurate damage threshold measurements are set out, and the apparatus and procedures used in the present work are described. A summary of the laser-induced damage threshold measurements at 1.06 μm on a wide range of materials under the same conditions are presented and compared with other published data.