Overview

This part of ISO 21254 specifies test methods for determining single-shot and multiple-shot laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDTs) of optical components, both coated and uncoated. The aim is to provide methods which will enable measurement results to be obtained which are consistent and can be rapidly and accurately compared between different test laboratories. In the single-shot test, which is referred to as the 1-on-1 test in this standard, each unexposed site on the sample surface is subjected to only one pulse of laser radiation. The multiple-shot test, referred to as the S-on-1 test, is based on a protocol that uses a series of pulses with constant energy density at each unexposed test site. In addition to an evaluation technique based on the survival curve for 1-on-1 tests, this part of ISO 21254 also describes two methods for the reduction of raw data obtained from S-on-1 damage tests: one using the characteristic damage curve and the other an extrapolation technique. The characteristic damage curve method is based on testing at a large number of sites on the optical surface of the specimen and comprises a set of three graphs indicating energy density values corresponding to probabilities of damage of 10 %, 50 % and 90 % for a selected number of pulses. The characteristic damage curve represents the results of a complete and extended laser-induced damage test, and it is recommended for basic investigations in newly developed or critical laser optics. The extrapolation method uses a considerably smaller number of test sites. This method generates a distribution diagram of the damaged and undamaged regions for the behaviour of the damage threshold as a function of the number of pulses per site. This diagram is of limited reliability but may be employed for the quality control of optical laser components which have already been qualified by a complete damage test or as part of the preparation for extended damage testing. Realistic laser damage tests suitable for industrial applications require a large number of pulses and hence involve a disproportionate experimental cost. This part of ISO 21254 therefore also outlines a procedure for obtaining the S-on-1 threshold by extrapolation of the characteristic damage curve in order to estimate the real lifetime of an optical component. The test procedures described in this part of ISO 21254 are applicable to all combinations of laser wavelengths and pulse lengths. However, comparison of laser damage threshold data can be misleading unless the measurements have been carried out at the same wavelength, using the same pulse length and beam diameter. Definitions and the general principles of laser-induced damage threshold measurements are given in ISO 21254-1. The Committee responsible for this standard is NA 027-01-18 AA "Laser" ("Laser") of the Optics and Precision Mechanics Standards Committee at DIN.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 027-01-18 AA - Laser and electro-optical systems  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 123 - Lasers and photonics  

Responsible international committee

ISO/TC 172/SC 9 - Laser and electro-optical systems