Open AccessInsight to UV-induced formation of laser damage on LiB_3O_5 optical surfaces during long-term sum-frequency generation
Author(s) -
Stefan Möller,
Änne Andresen,
Christoph Merschjann,
Bernd Zimmermann,
Manuel Prinz,
Mirco Imlau
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.007351
Subject(s) - laser , optics , materials science , sum frequency generation , layer (electronics) , amorphous solid , surface layer , optoelectronics , chemistry , nonlinear optics , physics , nanotechnology , organic chemistry
Microscopic investigations of UV-induced formation of laser damage on LiB(3)O(5) optical surfaces during long-term sum-frequency generation (SFG) uncovers a significant growth of a SiO(2)-amorphous layer spatially limited to the illuminated area. The layer gives rise to a catastrophic break-down of the LiB(3)O(5)-output surface upon long-term laser operation even at intensities far below the laser-induced damage threshold. The interaction of UV laser light, LiB(3)O(5) surface and foreign atoms in the ambient atmosphere is discussed in the frame of a two-step process for surface-damage formation.