The formation of transient defects during high power laser-coating interaction revealed by the variation of electron beam evaporated coatings’ optical constants with temperature

The knowledge of the optical properties of coating materials at high temperatures is important for understanding the dynamic process of high-power laser-material interactions. In this paper, the variations of refractive index and physical thickness of single layer coatings were studied by ellipsometric spectroscopy at different temperatures. From 23 °C to 320 °C, a decrease and then an increase of the refractive index of SiO2, and HfO2 single layer was observed, while the thickness of these layers increased first and then decreased. The inflection points of different coating materials occurred at different temperatures. Water evaporation processes, densification and hydrophilicity of films were used to explain the temperature dependent properties of the dielectric coatings. Results of the variation of refractive index and thickness of single layer coatings at different temperatures in the vacuum proved the mentioned theory. Moreover, HfO2 single layer shows better resistance to both temperature change and vacuum change, indicating that it is promising for high-reflective coatings in photoelectric devices. Besides, the formation of transient defects during high power laser irradiation was interpreted considering the optical properties variation with temperature. Three confusing and debated issues concerning laser-coating interaction are interpreted and explained.