Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

XUERONG ZHANG

Publication Date

2-14-2014

Abstract

The high quality optical films in coatings with low absorption and good environmental stability are required for the development of high power lasers, because even slightest absorbing defects could lead to material's breakdown. Thus, a non-destructive absorption measurement is required to measure the absorption of defects. Reflection-transmission method is the simplest measurement to measure the absorption of optical films. This indirect method is good for absorption values down to ~0.1%. However, typical high quality optical coatings have absorption values measured in parts per million (ppm). In this thesis, the photo-thermal lens setup provides another way to measure the change in the sample related to heating with sensitivity up to 10^{-6}. This technique is a pump-probe technique which depends on a change in an optical property measured by a weak probe laser that results from heating by a strong pump. The photo-thermal setup is used to measure absorption with time resolution and identify defects in optical coatings.

Degree Name

Optical Science and Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Optical Science and Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Zadeh, Mani

Sponsors

Joint Technology Office

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

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