We are happy to announce the winner of the HiLASE Laser Induced Damage Threshold Challenge organised by the HiLASE Centre in cooperation with the Evident company. This year, we have tested laser windows equipped with anti-reflective coatings on both sides. Of all the anonymised samples tested at the HiLASE Centre ISO certified LIDT laboratory, the AR window with a value of 0,6 J/cm2 performed the best. We were proud to hand over the award to the representative of EKSMA Optics on Wednesday 28 June at the Laser Technologies workshop of the Czech Optical Cluster at the Laser World of Photonics, Munich.
Knowledge of the quality of optical components used in the high-power laser systems is essential for the safe and reliable operation of such systems. The competition provides the component producers with a unique opportunity to see the real-life performance of their elements in the cutting-edge PERLA laser system.
The samples of 2-inch diameter windows coated from both sides for 0° angle of incidence were tested by the s-on-1 method according to the ISO 21254-2:2011 standard with up to 105 pulses. The testing laser provided 1-ps pulses per round at wavelength 343 nm, Gaussian beam with a 1 kHz repetition rate. The beam was in single-longitudinal mode, p-polarized, and the test was conducted at ambient pressure, 22°C temperature and 30% relative humidity, i.e., 101.3 kPa, 22°C and 30% respectively. The testing spot size was 1 mm in the plane of incidence with a maximum fluence of 2.5 J/cm2.
At the HiLASE Centre, we provide state-of-the-art testing of materials and components on resistance to laser irradiation at controlled conditions in our LIDT ISO 9001 certified laboratory. To learn more about our LIDT services, please contact us at solutions [at] hilase [dot] cz.