Characterization tools for KDP/DKDP crystals investigation: toward the identification of laser-damage precursors

摘要

This study is concerned with the identification of the defects responsible for laser damage observed on KDP/DKDP frequency triplers used in high power lasers. We reported at BDS 2005 a non destructive high energy X-ray topographic setup able to characterize lattice imperfections in optics. Results obtained using this technique on KDP and DKDP crystals are reported and discussed. The influence of each type of defect, observed or likely to exist in optics, is discussed in light of damage mechanisms recently published. Finally, an experimental setup presumably able to reveal those defects is proposed.