The laser power handling capacities of optical systems are determined by the physical properties of their component materials. At low intensity levels these factors are not important, but an understanding of damage mechanisms is fundamental to good design of laser products operating at high power. Laser Induced Damage of Optical Materials presents a comprehensive overview of the damage processes that occur at high laser intensity levels and explains how these factors limit the energy handling capabilities of optical systems.
The first two chapters of the book review basic EM theory, and...