Optical coatings are used in lasers systems for fusion research to control beam propagation and reduce surface reflection losses. The performance of coatings is important in the design, reliability, energy output, and cost of the laser systems. Significant developments in coating technology are required for future lasers for fusion research and eventual power reactors.

Damage tests of Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5//SiO/sub 2/ antireflection films deposited under a variety of conditions showed that thresholds of films deposited at 175/sup 0/C were greater than thresholds of films deposited at either 250/sup 0/C or 325/sup 0/C. Deposition at high rate and low oxygen pressure produced highly absorptive films with low thresholds. Thresholds did not correlate with film reflectivity or net stress in the films, and correlated with film absorption only when the film absorption was greater than 10/sup 4/ ppM. Baking the films for four hours at 400/sup 0/C reduced film absorption, altered net film stress, and produced an increase in the average damage threshold.

Two primary irradiation-induced changes occur during neutron irradiation: the displacement of atoms forming crystal defects and the transmutation of atoms into either gaseous or solid products. The material scientist studying irradiation damage to material by fusion-produced neutrons is faced with several questions: Is the nature of high-energy (14-MeV) displacement damage the same as or different from that caused by fission neutrons (< 2 MeV). How do the high helium concentrations expected in a fusion environment affect the material properties. What effects do solid transmutation products have on the behavior of the irradiated materials. In the past few years, much work has been done to answer these questions. This paper reviews recent work in this area.