Laser damage studies in nonlinear optical crystal sodium p-nitrophenolate dihydrate

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 88; no. 3; pp. 457 - 461
• Main Authors: VANISHRI, S, BABU REDDY, J. N, BHAT, H. L, GHOSH, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-08-2007
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Crystals; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Laser damage; Lasers; Nonlinear optical crystals; Nonlinearity; Optical materials; Optics; Physical radiation effects, radiation damage; Physics; Radiation effects on optical elements, devices, and systems; Shot; Sodium; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Thresholds; Ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation effects (including laser radiation); Wavelengths; Non linear material; Solid state lasers; Visible radiation; Nitro compounds; Phenols; Optical materials; TEM mode; Experimental study; Radiation damage; Sodium compounds; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-007-2741-4

We report the surface laser damage threshold in sodium p-nitrophenolate dihydrate, a nonlinear optical crystal. The experiment is performed with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser in TEM00 mode. The single shot damage thresholds are 11.16?0.28 GWcm-2 and 1.25?0.02 GWcm-2 for 1064 nm and 532 nm laser wavelengths respectively. A close correlation between the laser damage threshold and mechanical hardness is observed. A possible mechanism of laser damage is discussed.