Mechanisms of femtosecond laser-induced breakdown and damage in MgO

Single-shot laser damage threshold of MgO for 40–986 fs, 800 nm laser pulses is reported. The pump–probe measurements with femtosecond pulses were carried out to investigate the time-resolved electronic excitation processes. A theoretical model including conduction band electrons (CBE) production and laser energy deposition was applied to discuss the roles of multiphoton ionization (MPI) and avalanche ionization in femtosecond laser-induced dielectric breakdown. The results indicate that avalanche ionization plays the dominant role in the femtosecond laser-induced breakdown in MgO near the damage threshold.