Effect of Vacuum on the Laser-Induced Damage of Anti-Reflection Coatings

In the comparison of damage modifications, absorption measurement and energy dispersive x-ray analysis, the effect of vacuum on the laser-induced damage of anti-reflection coatings is analyzed. It is found that vacuum decreases the laser-induced damage threshold of the films. The low laser-induced damage threshold in vacuum environments as opposed to air environments is attributed to water absorption and the formation of the O/Si, O/Zr sub-stoichiometry in the course of laser irradiation.