INVESTIGATION OF OPTICAL-DAMAGE IN THE NONLINEAR-OPTICAL CRYSTAL (-)2-(ALPHA-METHYLBENZYLAMINO)-5-NITROPYRIDIN

Pulsed laser induced surface damage experiments were made on the cleav ed (001) face of (-)2-(alpha-methylbenzylamino)-5-nitropyridine (MBANP ) crystals using a pulse length of 25 ns FWHM. The highest single puls e damage threshold value was 24.2 J cm(-2) at a wavelength of 1064 nm for light polarized along the crystallographic a axis, whereas the low est was 1.8 J cm(-2) at 532 nm for light polarized along the crystallo graphic b axis. The extent of the mechanical distortion of the (0 0 1) crystal plane consequent upon the absorption of a 25 ns FWHM, 10 J cm (-2) pulse from a Nd:YAG laser operating at the wavelength 1064 nm has been measured by a non-destructive and non-invasive technique.