Applied Physics Letters · 1974 · 14 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceOptical MaterialsOptoelectronicsPolymer EngineeringLaser OpticsLaser PhysicsOptical PolymersPolymer DegradationRadiation Damage In MaterialsLaser Pulse DurationPolymer LasersPolymer Radiation DamagePolymethyl MethacrylateQ-switched Lasers
A meaningful power threshold for focused laser damage in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is established. It is also shown that the type (but not the extent) of damage is identical for the Q-switched and non-Q-switched laser pulses for the range of power levels used. Finally, it is explained why the observed focused laser damage in PMMA is so much more extensive in the non-Q-switched case than in the Q-switched case, even though the latter type of laser pulse has an inherently higher peak power.