Laser-induced surface and coating damage

Results from experiments on laser-induced damage to surfaces of optically polished glass and fused-silica and thin-film coatings are presented. Measurements were made under proper conditions to characterize actual laser components. Data are given for distributions of thresholds for 1.06 μm, 1 ns pulses, the influence of coating materials and designs, and effects of surface preparation on damage threshold, variations of threshold with duration of the laser pulse, and thresholds for selected visible and ultraviolet wavelength pulses.