How to clean surfaces

Jean M. Bennett

doi:10.1117/12.530002

10 June 2004 How to clean surfaces

Jean M. Bennett

Proceedings Volume 5273, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2003; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.530002
Event: XXXV Annual Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers: Boulder Damage Symposium, 2003, Boulder, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Various cleaning methods are available depending on the sizes of the parts, mounted or unmounted, and purpose of the cleaning. Dust and other particle contamination affect scattering and act as nuclei for defects in optical coatings. In some cases, these defects can initiate laser damage. Noncontact cleaning methods to eliminate particle contamination include blowing large particles from surfaces with an air bulb, "canned air," or a nitrogen gas jet, for a gentle cleaning and CO₂ snow for more aggressive particle removal. Laser assisted particle removal is a new high tech method. A strip coating material applied to the surface and subsequently removed will remove large fresh particles and often fingerprints. Contamination films affect the quality and adherence of optical coatings. These are usually removed (from unmounted optics) by cleaning the surface in a detergent and water bath followed by extensive rinsing and non-contact drying. Alternate methods when immersion in water is not possible are drag wiping, or spraying or squirting organic solvents over the surface. Before cleaning, surfaces must be visually inspected to determine the type and location of the contamination, to decide if cleaning is necessary, and what type of cleaning technique to use. Finally, bad cleaning is much worse than no cleaning! Illustrations of the cleaning methods described above will be given.

Citation Download Citation

Jean M. Bennett "How to clean surfaces", Proc. SPIE 5273, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2003, (10 June 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.530002

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