Abstract

Improving the laser-induced damage threshold of optical components is a basic endeavor in femtosecond technology. By testing more than 30 different femtosecond mirrors with 42 fs laser pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate, we found that a combination of high-bandgap dielectric materials and improved design and coating techniques enable femtosecond multilayer damage thresholds exceeding $2\mathrm{J}/{\mathrm{cm}}^2$ in some cases. A significant $\times 2.5$ improvement in damage resistance can also be achieved for hybrid Ag–multilayer mirrors exhibiting more than $1\mathrm{J}/{\mathrm{cm}}^2$ threshold with a clear anticorrelation between damage resistance and peak field strength in the stack. Slight dependence on femtosecond pulse length and substantial decrease for high (megahertz) repetition rates are also observed.

© 2016 Optical Society of America

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