Challenges in the development of a reliable cw-LIDT measurement routine

The characterization of continuous-wave (cw) laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) requires a suitable measurement routine to obtain reliable results. In this study, we show that the existing measurement protocols are of limited use for cw-LIDT measurements. On the basis of testing several mirrors with varied distance and number of spots on the samples an adapted protocol for the damage behavior under cw laser irradiation is proposed. We observed a significant effect governed by debris and induced stress of induced damages on the damage behavior of subsequent irradiation spots. Finally, we performed a parametric study on the optical properties of mirror designs consisting of a metal and a dielectric multilayer film and demonstrated the LIDT dependence on the thermal conductivity of the substrate and the absorption of the components.