A comparison of laser-induced-damage-threshold of two types of dielectric polarizing beam splitters

Laser-induced-damage-threshold (LIDT) of polarizing Brewster-angle beam splitters based on two different layer system designs was measured using a laser apparatus working at 1060 nm wavelength with 10 ns pulse length and 1-on-1 test mode. Two sets of samples with different design of layer system using TiO2/SiO2 coating materials were examined. Both BK7 and fused silica substrate materials were used for manufacturing of samples. The measured damage thresholds in S- and P-polarization were compared with computed values of the internal electric field inside of the layer system and with computed values of absorption as a measure of integral interaction of laser beam throughout the layer system.