Maximum Operational Fluence Limits for Temporally Shaped Nanosecond Long Pulses

The maximum energy at which a laser can be operated safely is a matter of paramount importance. This is patently related to laser induced damage. In the nanosecond regime, this poses a unique challenge, as it is not solely influenced by laser intensity or thermal load. Instead, it arises from the cumulative effects that includes those two factors. While extensive research has explored this dependence for various pulse lengths, the exploration of different longitudinal modes and temporal shapes is relatively limited. Our study aims to fill this gap by determining the safe operational fluence for any pulse shape, leveraging established dependencies on pulse duration. We propose a straightforward and adaptable method to ascertain these operational limits, independent of the type or origin of laser damage. This approach allows us to derive fluence limits for diverse pulse shapes.