Investigation of nanodefect properties in optical coatings by coupling measured and simulated laser damage statistics

We propose a model to link laser damage initiator properties (such as nature, size distribution, and density) to measured laser damage probabilities in optical materials. The model is based on the calculation of light absorption in nanoabsorbers and subsequent heating, coupled to laser damage statistics, and allows to obtain the laser damage probability as a function of laser fluence. Applications to the case of optical coatings irradiated in the nanosecond regime are presented. Laser damage probability curves are measured in hafnia single layer coatings made under different conditions: electron beam deposition and reactive low voltage ion plating. By studying the influence of the laser irradiation parameters (wavelength and beam size) and coating properties on the simulations, we show with our methodology that initiating defects (hafnium inclusions) can be identified. The implications of this approach for physical understanding and metrology applications are discussed. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.