Laser Induced Damage Threshold

Since the first commissioned lasers, both laser system developers and laser end-users encountered various issues connected to the damage of material exposed to laser radiation. This phenomenon, known as Laser Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT), defines the maximum affordable energy or power, which a particular optical surface or bulk material may withstand without detrimental damage. Therefore, LIDT testing methods have been developed and has been officially recognised by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) in a series of ISO 21254 standards. These standards were established in order to ensure the reliability of results and their portability among different testing facilities.