Femtosecond damage threshold of multilayer metal films

Wael M. G. Ibrahim; Hani E. Elsayed-Ali; Michelle D. Shinn; Carl E. Bonner

doi:10.1117/12.472412

30 May 2003 Femtosecond damage threshold of multilayer metal films

Wael M. G. Ibrahim, Hani E. Elsayed-Ali, Michelle D. Shinn, Carl E. Bonner

Proceedings Volume 4932, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2002 and 7th International Workshop on Laser Beam and Optics Characterization; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.472412
Event: XXXIV Annual Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers: Boulder Damage Symposium, 2002, Boulder, CO, United States

Abstract

With the availability of terawatt laser systems with subpicosecond pulses, laser damage to optical components has become the limiting factor for further increases in the output peak power. Evaluation of different material structures in accordance to their suitability for high-power laser systems is essential. Multi-shot damage experiments, using 110 fs laser pulses at 800 nm, on polycrystalline single layer gold films and multi-layer (gold-vanadium, and gold-titanium) films were conducted. The laser incident fluence was varied, in both cases, from 0.1 to 0.6 J/cm². No evidence of surface damage was apparent in the gold sample up to a fluence of 0.3 J/cm². The multilayer sample experienced the onset of surface damage at the lowest fluence value used of 0.1 J/cm². Damage results are in contrast with the time resolved ultrafast thermoreflectivity measurements that revealed a reduction of the thermoreflectivity signal for the multilayer films. This decrease in the thermoreflectivity signal signifies a reduction in the surface electron temperature that should translate in a lower lattice temperature at the later stage. Hence, one should expect a higher damage threshold for the multilayer samples. Comparison of the experimental results with the predictions of the Two-Temperature Model (TTM) is presented. The damage threshold of the single layer gold film corresponds to the melting threshold predicted by the model. In contrast to the single layer gold film, the multi-layer sample damaged at almost one third the damage threshold predicted by the TTM model. Possible damage mechanisms leading to the early onset of damage for the multilayer films are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Wael M. G. Ibrahim, Hani E. Elsayed-Ali, Michelle D. Shinn, and Carl E. Bonner "Femtosecond damage threshold of multilayer metal films", Proc. SPIE 4932, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2002 and 7th International Workshop on Laser Beam and Optics Characterization, (30 May 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.472412

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available