Maintenance
9-5
Removing and Cleaning Tsunami Optics
For safety, always close the pump laser shutter when you change optics.
Remove, clean, and install mirrors one at a time, in sequence, to avoid acci-
dental exchanges and loss of alignment reference. After cleaning and
replacing each mirror, open the pump laser shutter, and (with the exception
of M
3
) adjust the particular mirror vertically and horizontally for maximum
output power, followed by an adjustment of M
1
and M
10
for maximum out-
put power. Iterate your adjustment of M
1
and M
10
until no further increase in
power is possible. Only then proceed to clean the next optic.
Inspect the optics for dirt or contamination. If dirty, clean the optics in the
following order until the system meets specifications. This list orders the
optics by influence in power loss. Naturally, clean those that are obviously
dirty first. You should not have to clean every optic. Note: if an optic is
dirty, an IR viewer will usually show unusual scatter.
1. Input and output Brewster window surfaces
2. Prisms
3. Rod surfaces
4. Bi-fi (ps configuration), outside surfaces only
5. P
1
, P
2
6. M
3
(both surfaces)
7. M
2
8. M
4
, M
5
9. M
7
, M
8
10. M
6
, M
9
11. M
10
, M
1
(fs) or GTI (ps)
12.
A/O modulator (AOM)
13. Beam splitter (highly unlikely that it will need cleaning)
With the exception of pump mirror
P
1
and the GTI (ps configuration), all
mirrors are captured and held in place by a screw-in holder. Unscrew the
holder and the mirror will come out with it. The optic is retained in the
holder by a small o-ring, and it is removed by simply grabbing the exposed
barrel and pulling it straight out of the holder. In most cases, the optic does
not have to be removed from its holder to clean it.
Each optical element has a v-shaped arrow on its barrel along with its part
number. The arrow points to the coated surface that faces the intracavity
beam. If you need to verify the location of the optic in the laser, refer to the
tables located at the end of Chapter 10, “Options and Accessories.”
Tsunami is a Class IV High Power Laser. Bypassing the safety inter lock
shutter can expose the user to hazardous radiation. Always wear proper
eye protection and follow the safety precautions in Chapter 2, “Laser
Safety.”
Danger!
Laser Radiation
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