Ultra-broadband dielectric mirrors and Nd:YAG laser mirrors from Newport Corp. deliver performance, stability and durability for applications that require endurance in harsh environments or that need to withstand higher laser pulse energy. The ultra-broadband mirrors are coated via an ion beam sputtering (IBS) process with multi-layers of dielectric materials. They provide 99% reflection and are highly stable over a broadband wavelength range. The BB.1-coated mirror covers the UV to visible wavelengths (350 to 700 nm), and it functions well in analytical systems where several integrated diode lasers may require reflectivity over a wide spectrum of the laser light. The BB.2-coated mirror is an economical version of the broadband, ultrafast mirror for the Ti:Sapphire laser and covers the visible to NIR wavelength spectrum (650 to 1130 nm). It is suited for users who are not concerned about the group velocity dispersion effect on the laser pulse. Both ultra-broadband mirrors operate within 0- to 50-degree angles of incidence. The coating withstands a higher damage threshold over a wide wavelength range. The high-energy Nd:YAG laser mirrors with HE.1 and HE.2 coatings are manufactured using high-purity fused silica substrates and ultra hard IBS coatings. They are available in a 25.4 mm diameter for the fundamental 1064-nm and frequency-doubled 532-nm laser lines. The combination of the IBS coating technique and durable fused silica substrate material used in these mirrors permits them to withstand the energy fluence as high as 40 J/cm2 at 1064 nm and 8J/cm2 at 532 nm.
Michelle LongoAsst. Managing Editor
Striving Toward Secondary GoalsLate last month, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich stunned most everyone when he declared his promise that "by the end of my second term, we will have the first permanent base on the moon." While I don’t fault Gingrich for dreaming and trying to set high standards and goals, I can’t help but think of the enormous amount of known and unknown variables that significantly deter this accomplishment...continue
