Abstract

We have investigated the flash of light that accompanies laser damage using time-resolved spectroscopy. Damage events were initiated in the bulk of DKDP and fused silica with 355-nm, 3-ns pulsed radiation. Spectra from the accompanying flash were recorded in the 200–500 nm wavelength range with 10-ns temporal resolution. Ten ns following damage initiation, the spectra were found to be roughly blackbody with temperatures on the order of 5000 – 7000 K. The observed temperatures and cooling rates can be related to the size and electron density of the plasma “fireball” that initiates the damage event.

© 2002 Optical Society of America