Effects of multiple contaminant components on spectral performance of reflective mirrors in resonance ionization spectroscopy

With the increasing scope of applications of laser, it is crucial to study the pollution of optical components for regulating beams in intricate environments. In resonance ionization spectroscopy instruments, the optics may suffer from contamination caused by both the analyzed sample and environmental impurities, which can cause detrimental effects on their optical properties, potentially leading to their degradation or destruction. The paper analyses the spectral performance of two categories of reflective mirrors that have been exposed to four kinds of contamination (Nd, Nd-oxide, Fe, and C) for comparison of reflectance degradation process variations. It is found that the impact of multiple contaminant components on the spectral performance of reflective mirrors is directly linked to their light transmission characteristics, with metal contamination in particular causing the most severe degradation.