Laser radiation resistance of prospective materials for high-power IR optics

We have conducted comprehensive studies of resistance to radiation from a wide-aperture TEA CO₂ laser. We have classified the types of damage and the conditions for occurrence of damage and we give a qualitative explanation for the characteristic features of fracture of the materials. We have determined the thresholds for laser-induced breakdown of actual IR materials for laser apertures of 0.5–30 cm. We propose a criterion for choosing materials for high-power laser optics. Raduga State Laser Testing Center. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, pp. 68–84, October, 1998.