• LIDT Tests

    Sometimes referred to as threshold tests, these are the definitive test for a sample. An LIDT (Laser Induced Damage Threshold) test gives the highest energy/power density value that your sample can withstand. The customer receives the test results in the format of a full damage report summarising the numerical details on the first page.

    LIDT tests are described here on our FAQs page. This description applies to both Pulsed tests and CW tests. CW tests are more difficult to perform and take longer than Pulsed.

  • PASS/FAIL Certification

    A PASS/FAIL test gives a PASS/FAIL result for a customer-specified energy/power level. It is a simpler assessment, which does not reveal the damage threshold. The customer receives a single page certificate.

    Both Pulsed and CW PASS/FAIL tests are described here on our FAQs page.

  • Additional Information

    We are happy to give you any additional information that your tests produce, often considered a most valuable extra.

  • Customer Defined Laser Damage Tests

    Please contact us to discuss your requirements. Other damage related tests are available:

    • Laser Damage Longevity and Durability Tests
    • All tests are available at a wide range of wavelengths, repetition rates, and pulse durations.
    • Affordable Coating Chamber Mapping
    • Smart methodology is used along with accurate, multiple laser-damage assessments to affordably map out all regions of your coating chamber.

  • BRL specialise in high-power, pulsed and CW laser damage testing. We offer a wide variety of wavelengths and beam parameters. All instrumentation is calibrated to NIST or BS standards. All LIDT tests are performed to ISO 21254-1, 21254-2, 21254-3, and 21254-4 guidelines.

  • Photothermal Common-path Interferometry (PCI)

    The PCI technique allows for spatially resolved absorption of coatings and substrates to be assessed at the sub-ppm (part-per-million) level. This allows for assessment between the optical surfaces (front/back) and bulk (substrate), in addition to homogeneity raster scans over one optical surface. We can offer assessments at 1064 and 1550 nm, with other wavelengths available through our strategic partners at the Universities of Glasgow and Stanford. PCI measurements are generally recognised as the best proxy for cw-LIDT performance and is especially useful where cw-LIDT exceeds the available laser intensity available in test beds.

  • Automated Cavity-ringdown (CRD)

    The CRD technique allows total optical losses to be measured through both highly reflective (HR) and anti-reflective (AR) mirrors and windows, with resolution to 5 ppm (parts-per-million). Available wavelengths are 640, 1064 and 1550 nm with additional wavelengths (in the range 640-2000 nm) available through the purchase of additional reference cavity optics.

  • Spectrophotometry

    Spectroscopy (185-5200 nm) and FT-IR spectroscopy (2.5 - 25 um) is available in transmission and reflection modes.

  • Surface figure/roughness

    Additional surface metrology is available including white light interferometry (Wyko NT1100) and Zygo interferometry (633 nm) to assess surface roughness and figure optical surfaces up to 6”.

  • Optical coatings by ion beam deposition (IBD)

    BRL Laser Damage Ltd is linked with the photonics manufacturing facilities at NMIS (National Manufacturing Institute Scotland) which includes low-loss optical coatings by IBD. Optical absorptions of candidate HR and AR materials are available with <0.5 ppm at 1064 nm, with optical substrates of any size up to 620 mm diameter and 200 kg. For more information please visit the Extreme Performance in Optical Coatings.

  • Advice and consultancy

    BRL staff have significant experience in low-loss optics and laser damage assessment and would be happy to provide bespoke support in the design, development, and optimisation of optical systems and components. Optilayer and Zeemax software packages are available to support design and simulation work.