Infrared absorption signature on laser-damaged optical thin films

Optical coating degradation under laser irradiation can take several forms. Perhaps the most common that is not due to particulates is thermal breakdown, caused by heating of the coating to a catastrophic failure induced by local melting, delamination, evaporation, or some other change. We demonstrate that micromachined dielectric membranes show strong differences in their hydroxyl signatures as measured by Fouriertransform IR spectroscopy. The changes correspond to regions of high fluence (3200 J/cm²) from a Nd:YAG laser. It is found that the absorption peaks associated with OH decrease after laser treatment, indicating a reduction in the number of film hydroxyl groups.