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Cleaning High Power Laser Optics
Oddly enough, the single most common cause of laser damage is using a component without cleaning it, under the assumption that the manufacturer cleaned it properly. The manufacturer did, but under irradiation by the fluencies considered here, every cost effective packaging method will contaminate the component to an unacceptable degree. The first time a component is used, clean it with the methanol wipe described in Stage 3 below.
The most important consideration in cleaning optics is to avoid introducing more contaminants than are removed. At Tybang USA (www.tybang.com), we recommend a three stage process in which subsequent stages are applied only if the previous one fails to eliminate the problem.
Stage 1
Optics should only be handled wearing either powerless latex gloves or powerless finger cots (cleanroom compatible). After gloves are put on, they should be cleaned with methanol to eliminate any contamination from finger oils. Optics should always be handled from the edge, not the surface.
In a clean environment, simply blow any contaminants off the optical surface using an air bulb or ear syringe. We do not recommend using compressed air or nitrogen lines, because these may themselves contain contaminants (propellant, oil, etc.).
Stage 2
Lay a lens tissue on the surface of the component. We recommend using a soft lens tissue, such as ExsorbX 400 (Berkshire Corp.). It is important to note that both sides of this type of lens tissue are not the same; the fibers are looser on one side. The sides can be distinguished by creasing the paper; many more fibers will stand up on one side than on the other. The side on which fewer fibers stand up should always be placed against the optical surface. A drop of solvent is placed on the tissue, wetting the entire surface; the tissue is then slowly pulled off the component. We suggest the use of spectroscopic grade (HPLC) methanol, which will leave virtually no residue; we strongly recommend against the use of acetone or isoporoponal.
Stage 3
Fold a piece of lens paper one or more times, again folding it so that the side with fewer fibers sticking up faces out. The reason for folding the tissue is to create a cushion, so that pressure will be applied evenly over the optical surface. Moisten the paper with methanol.
Holding the lens tissue using the index, middle and ring fingers, wipe across the component in one smooth, straight motion, covering its entire surface. We recommend against holding the tissue in forceps, since these will produce an uneven pressure. If the element is too large to be cleaned at once, then clean one half with a "C" shaped motion, then the other half in the opposite direction. When cleaning mounted optics, it may sometimes be useful to fold the lens tissue into a triangle in order to get into the mounted edges. Also, keep in mind that once the tissue has been wetted with methanol, after about twenty seconds it has absorbed too much water vapor from the atmosphere and is useless. And always discard the tissue after a single use.
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