Cleaning
Chapter 6
MN051_v1.0.5
2-Axis Laser Beam Deflection Units
19
For deflection units with lens and glass guard only
6.2.1
Instructions for cleaning lenses and glass guards
Warning:
The laser beam can cause severe injury to the eyes and the skin. Before clean-
ing, make sure that the laser device is switched off and secured against acci-
dentally being switched on.
Fingerprints contain aggressive substances that can damage the optical surfaces. Optical
surfaces should therefore only be touched when wearing suitable gloves or with a lens clean-
ing cloth.
o
Only touch the optical elements when wearing suitable cotton gloves and only touch the
edges.
o
Blow loose particles from the surface with clean and oil-free compressed air. Note that the
compressed air in workshops can contain oil particles and is therefore unsuitable for clean-
ing the optical system.
o
Moisten a suitable lens cleaning cloth with ethanol suitable for cleaning optical compo-
nents.
o
Place one end of the moistened cloth on the optical system and slowly move it over the
optical components. Do not exert any pressure and do not rub the optical components.
o
Remove any remaining ethanol residue with a dry optical cloth.
o
Repeat the procedure until the surface is completely clean. Use a new cleaning cloth for
each repetition.
6.2.2
Instructions for cleaning mirrors
Warning:
The laser beam can cause severe injury to the eyes and the skin. Before clean-
ing, make sure that the laser device is switched off and secured against acci-
dentally being switched on.
The mirror surfaces are extremely sensitive and may only be cleaned by experienced person-
nel. We strongly recommend sending the deflection unit in to RAYLASE for the mirrors to be
cleaned, as opening of the deflection unit by unauthorized personnel voids the warranty.
However, if you do want to clean the mirrors yourself, follow the same procedure as for clean-
ing the lens but with even more care (
above, Instructions for cleaning lenses and glass
6.2.3
Special instructions for zinc selenide optical elements
Zinc selenide (ZnSe) is an inorganic orange material that can be used in different forms as an
optical component (e.g. lenses, beam splitters, mirrors) in CO
2
laser systems.
Properties of zinc selenide
Melting point
1,520°C
Density
5.27g/cm³ at 25°C
Solubility
Sensitive to water
To improve the optical properties of the material, zinc selenide is often given an anti-reflex
coating that can contain thorium fluoride. Thorium is a α emitter and is slightly radioactive.
Thorium is potentially hazardous to health if it is inhaled or swallowed. As the coating contain-
