Impact of subthreshold laser defect accumulation on the optical stability of crystals

Abstract

Optoacoustic means are used to study the kinetics of laser damage accumulation in potassium chloride crystals. This approach allows us to observe the accumulation of changes in KCl crystals when it is irradiated by a series of laser pulses of subthreshold intensity in a variety of actions (alloying, applying an external electric field, UV illumination). Number of laser pulses N_cr required to destroy a specimen at the same density of radiation power depends on density power I as N ~ I⁻⁴. Results are explained by the formation and accumulation of structural defects during photochemical reactions under the action of laser radiation.