MINIMIZING RADIATION DAMAGE IN NONLINEAR OPTICAL CRYSTALS

摘要

Methods are disclosed for minimizing laser induced damage to nonlinear crystals, such as KTP crystals, involving various means for electrically grounding the crystals in order to diffuse electrical discharges within the crystals caused by the incident laser beam (13). In certain embodiments, electrically conductive material (31) is deposited onto or into surfaces of the nonlinear crystals (11) and the electrically conductive surfaces (31) are connected to an electrical ground (22). To minimize electrical discharges on crystal surfaces that are not covered by the grounded electrically conductive material (31), a vacuum may be created around the nonlinear crystal.