Method for producing damage resistant optics

US6518539B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Lloyd Hackel · Livermore, US
• Alan K. Burnham · Livermore, US
• Bernardino M. Penetrante · San Ramon, US
• Raymond M. Brusasco · Livermore, US
• Paul J. Wegner · Livermore, US
• Lawrence W. Hrubesh · Pleasanton, US
• Mark R. Kozlowski · Windsor, US
• Michael Dennis Feit · Livermore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 7, 2001
• Grant date: Feb 11, 2003
• Expiry date: Sep 7, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03C23/0025
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides a system that mitigates the growth of surface damage in an optic. Damage to the optic is minimally initiated. In an embodiment of the invention, damage sites in the optic are initiated, located, and then treated to stop the growth of the damage sites. The step of initiating damage sites in the optic includes a scan of the optic using a laser to initiate defects. The exact positions of the initiated sites are identified. A mitigation process is performed that locally or globally removes the cause of subsequent growth of the damaged sites.