The Tenth Annual Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers was divided into sessions concerning the Measurement of Absorption Characteristics, Bulk Material Properties, Mirrors and Surfaces, Thin Film Damage, Coating Materials and Design and Breakdown Phenomena. As in previous years, the emphasis of the papers presented at the Symposium was directed toward new frontiers and new developments. Particular emphasis was given to materials for use from 10.6 micrometers to the uv region. Highlights included surface characterization, thin film-substrate boundaries, and advances in fundamental laser-matter threshold interactions and mechanisms. The scaling of damage thresholds with pulse duration, focal area, and wavelength were also discussed. |