Abstract

We investigate the relation of ion-exchange treatment and laser conditioning of a glass surface. The surface of Nd-doped phosphate laser glass was preirradiated with a cw CO₂ laser and strengthened by the ion-exchange treatment. It is shown that residual compressive stress occurs on the surface as peak-to-valley roughness and the appearance of microcracks decreases. Damage threshold of the glass surface increases by a factor of 1.7–3. The mechanism of laser conditioning is consistent with that of the ion-exchange treatment.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

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