Expertise and services: optics characterization experiments; standardized Laser-Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) measurements (single shot 1-on-1 tests) for destructive optics characterization in the deep UV to mid-IR range with nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses; laser-induced fatigue testing (multi-shot S-on-1 tests) to evaluate long-term durability of optical coatings and materials; optical absorption loss measurements using photothermal common-path interferometry (PCI), including nonlinear absorptance characterization; homogeneity assessment; coating vs. bulk absorptance differentiation; time-resolved absorption scanning.
Laser sources:
Nanosecond Nd:YAG laser (SpitLight Hybrid, INNOLAS): wavelengths: 1064 nm, 532 nm, 355 nm, 266 nm, 213 nm, pulse duration 8 ns, pulse repetition rate 1-100 Hz, max pulse energy 400 mJ (100 Hz, 1064 nm), average power 30 W (100 Hz, 1064 nm).
Nanosecond Nd:YAG laser (NL303G, EKSPLA): wavelengths: 1064 nm, 532 nm, 355 nm, 266 nm, pulse duration 3-6 ns (at 1064 nm), pulse repetition rate 10 Hz, max pulse energy 300 mJ (10 Hz, 1064 nm)
High-power industrial picosecond laser (ATLANTIC 80-IR-GR40-UV30-VP, EKSPLA): pulse duration fixed 10 ± 3 ps or tunable from 150 to 400 ps, pulse repetition rate 400 kHz, average power 80 W (1064 nm), 40 W (532 nm), 30 W (355 nm).
Femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser with optical parametric amplifier (available from Unit 3.3).
Instruments and accessories
Home-built semi-automated Laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) testing setup, including online damage detection, mechanical shutters, energy meters, pulse duration and beam profile characterization and data acquisition equipment (in combination with ns and fs laser sources above).
Commercial PCI absorption measurement system (PCI-03, Stanford Photo-Thermal Solutions): operational wavelengths 1064 nm, 532 nm, 355 nm. Capable of reflection and transmission mode measurements (in combination with ATLANTIC laser).
Vacuum chamber with built-in XYR motorized positioning system (Pfeifer vacuum pump HiPace 300, minimum achievable pressure down to 10-6 mBar), compatible with the LIDT test system.
Single-stage cryo-cooling refrigerator system (CTI-Cryogenics, Cryodyne), minimum achievable temperature down to 77 K, compatible with the vacuum chamber for low-temperature laser damage testing.
On request, supplementary instruments, e.g. optical microscope, spectrophotometer, etc., are available from the General Equipment list.