Nature of the cumulative effect in laser damage to optical materials

An analysis is made of the laws governing the cumulative effect in laser damage to optical materials. A method for studying this effect, based on a statistical approach, is proposed and the main characteristics are introduced to describe laser damage to materials in the multiple-exposure regime. The possible mechanisms of the cumulative effect are discussed. Experimental data are given on laser damage to optical polymer materials and these data demonstrate some of the fundamental laws governing this effect. Using the example of transparent polymers, methods for suppressing the cumulative effect are proposed and put into practice.