Evaluation of Single-Point Diamond-Turned Copper Mirrors For the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Eight-Beam CO2 Laser: Helios

J E. Sollid; R. E. Sladky

doi:10.1117/12.7972288

1 December 1978 Evaluation of Single-Point Diamond-Turned Copper Mirrors For the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Eight-Beam CO2 Laser: Helios

J E. Sollid, R. E. Sladky

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 17, Issue 6, 176586 (December 1978). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7972288

Abstract

This paper describes the best large-aperture single-point diamond-turned copper mirrors currently available. The state of the art is progressing rapidly. At present, for 400-mm diam, f/16.5 spherical surfaces, the peak-to-valley figure can be held to two visible fringes in a center of curvature test, and the surface roughness is better than 50 mm peak-to-valley. Since the time of Galileo attempts have been made to machine optical components. With very few exceptions these attempts have failed. Recently 1,2 however, much careful atttention has been paid to the numerous fine details such as vibration isolation, uniformity of spindle and tool drive, temperature control, tool shaprness, etc. Components of infrared quality are being produced in large numbers. The advantages of machined optics are a generally lower price, a higher production rate, a higher damage threshold (on the order of 11 J/cm2, the intrinsic limit, for 1-ns, 10-um pulses),3 and greater resistance to corrosion and tarnishing than can be achieved through conventional optic production. It is the combination of these advantages which made single-point diamond-turned (SPDT) optical components a key element in the current and projected Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) CO2 laser systems. There are two operating large pulsed CO21 lasers at LASL; the TBS or Two-Beam System, and Helios, the Eight-beam System. Helios has a nominal energy of 10 kJ at 1 ns, while the TBS has a nominal energy of 2.5 kJ at 1 ns. The Antares CO2 laser at LASL will have an energy of 105 J in 1 ns and consist of 6 beams of 12 segments, each of which is essentially an independent beam train. In addition to numerous smaller optics, a single segment of the beam train will contain nine elements with a characteristic diameter of 40 cm or larger. There will be 72 such beam trains and 1500 elements. Completion of the laser is scheduled for 1982. Timely and reliable fabrication will be essential. Thus, single-point diamond turning forms an integral part of the CO2 lase

Citation Download Citation

J E. Sollid and R. E. Sladky "Evaluation of Single-Point Diamond-Turned Copper Mirrors For the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Eight-Beam CO2 Laser: Helios," Optical Engineering 17(6), 176586 (1 December 1978). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7972288

Published: 1 December 1978

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