Attenuation of a single pulse of a neodymium laser in colored optical glasses

Abstract

Subject of study. The energy of a laser flash was measured directly using a calorimeter. The shape of an optical pulse was recorded using a photocell. The intensity of the radiation converted to photocurrent is presented in relative units. The illuminance in a highly diffusive optical medium varied over a wide range. The photocell was calibrated directly using the laser to obtain the radiative energy balance in energy units. This was achieved by successively attenuating the energy of the laser beam using colored filters. Method. Attenuation of a single pulse of a neodymium laser (wavelength λ=1064nm, duration at the level of 0.5t1/2≈5×10−9s) passing through different types of colored filters was investigated. Main results. A significant discrepancy between the intensities of the transmitted radiation was found for samples with equal optical densities but composed of different types of glasses. Three groups of glasses with different transmission degrees and characters were identified. The experimental data were interpreted using a nonlinear radiation absorption model. Practical significance. Colored filters most suitable for operation under the specified conditions were selected experimentally. Yellow–green glass showed the best parameters. It was found that glasses with the highest absorption coefficients should not be used.