Contamination and Materials Risk Management in Solid State Laser Systems

Contamination and materials degradation are among the highest risks associated with the deployment of high intensity solid-state laser systems. Although high intensity laser induced optical damage has been studied for decades, the field is still in its infancy. There is little concrete information concerning the relationship of contamination and laser induced optical damage. Further, little information exists in the measurement and evaluation of contamination at the levels of significance for high intensity solid-state lasers. The interconnection of the physical sciences in the area of laser induced optical damages disjointed at best. As a result, much of the information concerning the risk of contamination induced laser optical damage is conjecture. A number of valuable insights with respect to the potential problems, potential solutions and the mechanisms behind contamination induced laser optic damage are presented.