Research Progress on Particle Contamination-Induced Damage of Optical Component Surfaces in High-Power Laser Systems

High-power solid-state laser facilities play important roles in inertial confinement fusion, high-energy-density physics, and extreme-condition research. With increasing output energy and extended operational lifetime, particle contamination on optical components has become a critical factor affecting laser performance and long-term reliability. This review aims to summarize the sources, evolution processes, and damage mechanisms of particle contamination in high-power solid-state laser systems. Based on a comprehensive analysis of recent studies, the formation and migration characteristics of dielectric particles, metallic particles, and organic contaminants are reviewed, and their interactions with optical components under nanosecond, ultrafast, and continuous-wave laser irradiation are systematically discussed. The analysis indicates that nanosecond laser damage is mainly associated with particle absorption, plasma generation, thermo-mechanical coupling, and crack formation. In contrast, ultrafast laser damage is closely related to local electric-field enhancement, absorption defects, and free-electron dynamics. Continuous-wave laser damage is primarily governed by thermal accumulation and thermal runaway induced by contaminant absorption. Finally, current challenges in understanding contamination-induced damage are summarized, and potential directions for contamination control and the protection of optical components are discussed.