Highly resistant all-silica polarizing coatings for normal incidence applications

Abstract

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.

RGB‐Color Image Analysis for Determination of Birefringence of Micro‐Films and Columnar Coatings

“…[19,20] Additionally, using glancing angle deposition (GLAD) method enabled to form optical components for high power laser systems due to enhanced anisotropy in silica thin films. [21][22][23] Optical properties of such coatings strongly depend on deposition conditions and features of the substrate. [24,25] Therefore, flexible and high resolution method for anisotropy analysis is essential for further development of complex elements.…”

Laser conditioning effect for all-silica mirrors

“…Tolenis et al group already demonstrated the possibility to create nano-structured films, which are capable to withstand up to 60 J/cm 2 at 355 nm wavelength ns pulses [5], however, the main limitation includes high number of defects. Over the past five years, glancing angle deposition (GLAD) method was improved in terms of different types of optical elements formation, such as antireflection [6], polarizing coatings [7] and already mentioned highly reflective components [5], where all of these papers report extremely high LIDT values compared with other technologies in ns regime. Although the main problems still remain -defects, which is difficult to eliminate.…”

Anisotropy of 3D Columnar Coatings in Mid-Infrared Spectral Range

“…Glancing angle deposition (GLAD) [1] can be used to make highly anisotropic thin films for light polarisation control, namely waveplates suited for the linear and circular polarisations [2,3] and polarisers for zero angle of incidence [4], by utilising complex arrangements of sample's tilt and rotation [5]. It becomes possible to make strongly birefringent thin films by GLAD using optically isotropic Si and SiO 2 materials [6].…”

“…Anisotropic Si has shown birefringence up to 0.25 in the IR spectral range (∼1500 nm) [15], while it was lower for silica; however, an augmented optical damage threshold was found in the case of silica in the UV-VIS range [3]. In both cases, the refractive index anisotropy of a film was created from an amorphous (isotropic) material, which can be applied on virtually any surface, including glass substrates [4] or laser crystals [16]. Such films are promising for development of micro-laser systems.…”