· Avalanche Breakdown and the Probabilistic Nature of Lascr-Induced Damage

Michael Bass, Harrison H. Barrett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

130 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper discusses the probabilistic nature of the damaging interaction between light and matter. It is shown that when one recognizes that there is some probability to induce damage at any level of optical irradiation, then the reported irreproducible darnage-resistance properties of many useful materials can be under-stood. This point of view also explains why some optical components may be safely irradiated many tittles before damage occurs, though no other change in the material can he detected prior to the observation of damage. Experimental data showing the probability for surface damage as a function of power density are presented for several materials. The dependence of damage probability on optical fieid strength is similar to that of the dc ionization coefficients for semiconductors and gases on the applied field. This observation is discussed and it is suggested that a form of avalanche breakdown might be the cause of laser-induced damage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)338-343
Number of pages6
JournalIEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1972

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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