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In the last decade facilities with petawatt class lasers have come online setting new records for peak power and energy density. Optical coatings often determine the operational limits of these high-power laser systems. Quantified by the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT), damage occurs when laser-material interactions lead to deposition of energy beyond some critical density, causing optical deterioration, melting, and/or ablation. These same processes are also relevant for the broader topic of laser processing of materials. LIDT depends upon the material type, laser wavelength, pulse duration, and other parameters. I will present our current understanding of laser-induced damage in optical coatings, using examples from our own work, and touch upon ongoing activities.

Biography:

Luke Emmert is a research assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University where he specialized in the deposition and characterization of oxide thin films. Since coming to UNM in the last decade