
9
Laser-Induced Damage by Thermal Effects
Chapter 2
2. Laser-Induced Damage
by Thermal Effects
Roger M. Wood
2.1 Introduction
Although most laser scientists instinctively link the term laser-induced damage threshold
(LIDT) with dielectric breakdown and, thenceforth, quote its value in terms of the peak
power density, W cm
−2
, this is only half the story.
For all but the most highly transparent materials (e.g., fused silica, diamond, quartz,
and sapphire), the damage threshold is more likely to be linked to thermal absorption
in the laser pulse length region from 10
−8
s to continuous wave (CW). In this scenario,
the onset of damage, whether thoug