Accession Number:
ADD012971
Title:
Dielectric Air-Interface Plasma Optical Power Limiter.
Descriptive Note:
Patent,
Corporate Author:
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON DC
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
1986-07-01
Pagination or Media Count:
6.0
Abstract:
The present invention is a device for limiting the power or energy output of a laser system. In particular, the present invention relates to devices which create a plasma to shield sensitive components of laser systems from high energy laser bursts. A dielectric air-interface plasma optical power limiter is made by placing a plurality of plasma initiation sites on the surface of an optical component, such as a mirror or lens. The sites are particles of a material that emits large numbers of free electrons above a threshold power level. The sites are placed on the surface by vapor deposition or any other manner. For some materials, a natural tendency of the material to adhere to the surface is sufficient. The sites are small speckles on the surface and do not form a uniform coating of the surface. Most of the surface area of the optical component is uncovered.
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Optics
- Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics