Several fundamental restrictions limit the implementation of microlasers in high power systems, low resistivity of coatings and compactness of elements, especially if control of polarization is necessary. Thin-film-based coatings with extremely high optical resistivity and polarizing properties for normal incidence could become a preferable solution. In this Letter, a novel multilayer approach to form all-silica polarizing coatings for normal incidence angle applications is proposed. Laser induced damage thresholds (test one-on-one) at the wavelength of 355 nm were
39
J
/
c
m
2
and
48.5
J
/
c
m
2
for the reflected and transmitted polarizations, respectively. Such elements can essentially improve tolerated radiation power and allow for production of more compact laser systems.
Optical elements are the main parts in laser system, which limit the total generated output power due to optical resistivity. The increase of beam diameter dimensions may compensate the optical performance of elements, however it leads to the increase of laser system size. Thus, any improvement in optical coatings has impact on either higher output power or lowering the size of system itself. Glancing angle deposition method is presented to produce porous nanostructured coatings, which are characterized by low inner stress. Multilayer Bragg mirrors are formed using only silica material to achieve high laser-induced damage threshold value. Laser conditioning effect is applied, to improve optical performance in ns regime and reach LIDT values over 180 J/cm 2 .
In this study two topics are presented: i) anisotropic coatings for phase and polarization control and ii) dielectric structures with periodic modulation of optical constants together with the application of angular filtering of light.
Zero angle polarizers and achromatic waveplates were coated using anisotropic thin films. Multilayer approach with different orientations of optical axes for individual layers allowed for independent control of perpendicular polarization intensity and phase retardance properties.
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