Fiber Laser Windows Reduce Focus Shift and Beam Deterioration

With lower bulk absorption and about 30 times higher thermal conductivity than quartz protection glasses, Sapphire Fiber Cover Glass Windows from Laser Research Optics (Providence, RI) feature Mohs 9 hardness that is second only to diamond and have A/R coatings on both sides to provide transmission of > 99.5 percent @ 1.06 microns with > 80 percent @ 650-670 nm. By reducing focus shift and the deterioration of beam quality, these sapphire windows can withstand steel splatter, flash, and debris better than fused silica. Ideally suited as debris shields on 1,064 nm cutting and welding lasers, these windows reduce the number of required lens changes on high power lasers from 4 kW and above, and extend their service lifetime. Providing a 10-5 scratch-dig finish and 1/4 wave transmitted wavefront, they are available in 0.5 in and 2.0 in sizes. Sapphire Fiber Laser Windows are priced according to size and quantity, and price quotations are available upon request.

Laser Research Optics division of Meller Optics, Inc., 120 Corliss Street, Providence, RI 02904, 888-239-5545, Fax: 401-331-4004, scott@laserresearch.net, www.laserresearchoptics.net.