Laser Induced Damage Studies in Borosilicate Glass Using nanosecond and sub nanosecond pulses

TL;DR

This study investigates laser-induced damage mechanisms in borosilicate glass using nanosecond and sub-nanosecond pulses, analyzing damage thresholds, microstructural changes, and plasma emission spectra to understand damage processes.

Contribution

It provides new insights into damage thresholds, microstructure alterations, and plasma characteristics in borosilicate glass under different laser pulse durations.

Findings

Damage width increases nonlinearly with laser intensity

Symmetrical damage occurs at low energies

Optical emission spectra reveal plasma temperature and electron density

Abstract

The damage mechanism induced by laser pulse of different duration in borosilicate glass widely used for making confinement geometry targets which are important for laser driven shock multiplication and elongation of pressure pulse, is studied. We measured the front and rear surface damage threshold of borosilicate glass and their dependency on laser parameters. In this paper, we also study the thermal effects on the damage diameters, generated at the time of plasma formation. These induced damage width, geometries and microstructure changes are measured and analyzed with optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that at low energies symmetrical damages are found and these damage width increases nonlinearly with laser intensity. The emitted optical spectrum during the process of breakdown is also investigated and is used for the characterization of emitted plasma such as plasma temperature and free electron density. Optical emission lines from Si I at 500 nm, Si II at 385nm and Si III at 455 nm are taken for the temperature calculations.