More powerful and challenging laser systems are built to meet the need of evolving technology, reflecting demands coming from both industry and research areas. Laser damage is a key parameter for all components in such high-power laser system, establishing limits of maximum achievable energy in laser beam, and consequently the power of the system. As a value for all optical components, this is represented by laser induced damage threshold (LIDT). LIDT is a value determining highest quantity of laser radiation incident upon the optical component for which the extrapolated probability of damage is zero. In following paper is described testing station build and used at HiLASE centre to determine such value, which is necessary to build reliable and stable laser sources and produce high quality optics.
Science Journal 