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Alluxa - Optical Coatings LB 8/23

The Dirt on Cleaning Optics

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The reason for cleaning an optical element is to improve performance. Proper materials, techniques and handling procedures should be used to minimize the risk of damage.

Emily Kubacki, CVI Laser LLC

Anyone who has worn glasses or driven a car knows the detrimental effects of dirt on the performance of a lens or window. The effects can be more serious in optics setups that involve laser radiation. Precision optics should be handled properly in cleaning. Here, the prism is held on the frosted surfaces. Contaminants, whether on a coating or on the substrate surface, can absorb laser energy, leading to damage to the coating or its interface with the substrate. Studies have shown that the cleaning process alone can cause variations in the laser damage threshold of a coated part by 25 to...Read full article

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    Published: March 2006
    CoatingsFeaturesFiltersInterfacelaser radiationlensesmirrorsoptical elemenOpticsPrismsWafers

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