Catalogs

Ophir Optics designs and produces a full range of precision IR optics for defense, security and commercial markets, as well as optics for high power CO2 Laser and Fiber Laser machines

With decades of knowledge and experience in the optical industry, using cutting-edge measurement equipment, Ophir offers a wide array of first-class optics for high power fiber lasers in the 1 micron wavelength range

Download Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the proper procedures for handling or working with Ophir ZnSe Duralens™ and Black Magic™ and with Copper and Silicon optical elements.

Laser Optics Frequent Asked Questions

We have gathered our customers’ feedback to bring you the following cases in lens condition analysis, capturing their experience in operating their laser systems.

The following cleaning methods are for all optic elements. The Black Magic™ Duralens™ should be treated with the same care and by the same methods as the standard AR coated CO2 Optics.

EZ Clean™ are innovative disposable wipes for routine cleaning and deeper cleaning of optical High Power Laser Lenses. Composed of special non-scratch fabric, the liquid dipped wipes deposit a pre-measured amount of quick-drying cleaning fluid that leaves no residue.

The following guidelines are for cleaning windows only, lenses are excluded. 1-micron lenses are packed and sealed in an automated system for maximum cleanliness. Opening, unpacking and cleaning of such lens should be carried out in a class 1,000 clean room.

Learn how to install CO2 laser optics (lenses) at the AMADA Quattro EZ Mount

The Ophir EZ Test™ is a tool designed to determine the condition of your CO2 lens. The Ophir EZ Test™ system will allow you to evaluate the lens stress within the lens so that you can quickly determine if you need to change it immediately or if the lens has more life left in it and just needs a cleaning.

In general, there are two types of focusing CO2 laser lenses: Plano convex lenses which have one convex surface (convex = dome-like curvature) and one flat surface, and meniscus lenses which have one convex surface and one concave surface (concave = hollow curvature). In most CO2 laser cutting machines, meniscus lenses are used because they produce a smaller focus diameter. In some CO2 laser machines, CO2 laser lenses type plano-convex are used because their production costs are a little bit lower.

The output optical assembly of a fiber optic beam delivery system consists usually of a collimating lens, a focusing lens and a protective window. The optical lenses featured in the fiber laser cutting head are made of fused silica and are specially coated to minimize absorption and maximize transmittance of the 1 micron wavelength laser beam onto to the metal sheet.

Putting aside that the fiber is more efficient in delivering light than a CO2 laser, let us break that down to optical components. The CO2 laser has a series of optics. Some in the resonator which creates the power and some in the beam delivery system which adjusts the phase of the beam before the beam hits the final optic, the laser cutting lens.

High power lasers are a growing industry with numerous applications. As 1 μm fiber laser technology advances and more demanding applications develop, the optics used in such systems must provide superior levels of performance.

In these applications, optics (lenses, protective windows) are needed to work properly at correspondingly high laser power and power density levels. For these optics, absorption losses are of crucial importance: absorption of laser radiation leads to increased temperature and a correspondingly higher refractive index of the optics. This changes the properties of the transmitted laser beam and can therefore impair the performance of the manufacturing process.

The best coating for a CO2 lens in the industry is Ophir’s Clear Magic™. This coating is guaranteed to be lower than 0.13% absorption.

Duralens™ is compatible with all major laser systems in the market and approved and used by leading OEMs.

If you compare the performance of a standard yellow lens to a Black Magic™, the Black will usually last about twice as long and sometimes longer. So the cost savings can be substantial. Generally, you get a better cut on aluminum and stainless and there is less burring or no burring, this too saves money.

The best coating for a CO2 lens in the industry is Ophir’s Clear Magic. This coating is guaranteed to be lower than 0.13% absorption.

With decades of knowledge and experience in the optical industry, using cutting-edge measurement equipment, Ophir offers a wide array of first-class optics for high power lasers in the 1 micron wavelength range.