Effects of volatile organic contamination on the performance of dielectric film.

The volatile organic contamination (VOC) of polymer materials can cause degradation of optical components performance. For two types of polymer materials commonly used in high-power laser facility: polyethylene terephthalate-ethylene glycol (PET-G) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the contaminated dielectric film samples were obtained by rapid volatilization of polymer materials at high temperatures. The effects of VOC on microscopic morphology, spectral performance and laser damage performance of the dielectric film were researched. The results showed that the VOC of two types of materials would lead to spectral shift, reflectivity change and laser damage performance deterioration of dielectric film. Compared with PET-G, the VOC of PTFE has a more serious impact on the performance of the dielectric film. The performance deterioration of the dielectric film can be clarified by analyzing the VOC and the surface micro-morphology. Research results can be used to estimate the performance degradation of dielectric films for long-term storage and usage. And they have a guiding significance for the selection of environmental materials of optical components. • The effects of VOC on the dielectric film were evaluated. • VOC can lead to spectral performance deterioration of dielectric film. • VOC can lead to laser damage performance deterioration of dielectric film. • The VOC of PTFE is more serious than that of PETG. • Research results can estimate dielectric films performance for long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]