Optical coatings for ultraviolet laser sources: a review of required optical performance

摘要

The realization of new ultraviolet laser sources and the improvement of existing laser sources require new optical components with more and more severe requirements. Three examples will be considered here: solid-state ultraviolet (UV) laser sources, excimer laser sources and free electron laser (FEL) sources. In the first case, dichroic mirror with high steepness between high reflecting and high transmitting wavelength range are required, to make UV tunable sources. In the second case, the use of graded mirrors in the laser cavity allows an improvement of the laser beam quality. In the third case optical coatings able to withstand the synchrotron radiation are needed. The required performance for optical coatings to be used in this kind of laser sources are described, and critical points underlined.