CaF₂ Plano-convex lenses

After purchasing an optical component, effective maintenance maintains its quality and extends its service life, mainly paying attention to the following points:

1. Storage environment: constant temperature, low humidity, high cleanliness environment: In normal environments, optical components are very stable, but when exposed to high temperature and humidity for a long time, the surface may be blurred. Under the condition of high-intensity and long-term light (especially under the condition of strong ultraviolet irradiation conditions), the optical components may undergo qualitative changes, and if left unmoved for a long time, mold may occur, and the use under this condition needs to be checked or replaced regularly.

2. Storage method: Most optical components should be wrapped in lens paper and then placed in a specific storage box to avoid lens scratches and film contamination;

3. Usage environment:

(1) Never hold the optical components directly in your hands, you need to wear gloves and use optical grade or vacuum tweezers to clamp them through non-optical surfaces such as frosted edges.

(2) Try to use optical components in a clean, low-dust environment, when there is dust on the surface of optical components, when it touches the high-intensity laser, it will cause dust scorching, resulting in the inability to remove the stains on the surface of the component.

(3) Because the oil on the hands or skin will pollute the optical components, dust-free gloves or finger covers should be worn when holding the optical components, and direct contact with the surface of the lens should be prohibited;

(4) The optical components should not be placed on the hard surface to avoid impurities on the two hard surfaces from wearing the optical components.

Before using the optics, it is recommended to use a cleaning compressed gas tank or to remove dust from the optics by cleaning.

When cleaning, follow the correct operating procedures, otherwise the optical components may be permanently damaged.

1. Inspection before cleaning: Before cleaning, check the optical components to determine the type and degree of pollution, if there are multiple contaminants on the optical components, you need to pay attention to the cleaning order, because when cleaning a certain impurity, another impurity may damage the optical surface. For example, if an optical component is contaminated with both oil and dust, if you wipe the oil first, it will scratch the optical surface, because the dust will also rub against the surface when wiping.

2. Blow the surface

Before using any other cleaning method, it is usually necessary to use an inert dust collection gas tank or air blower to blow away dust and other loose contaminants. Do not blow the surface with your mouth to avoid saliva deposition on the optical surface.

If inert dust removal gas is used, the gas tank should be upright throughout the whole process, do not shake the gas tank, and the gas nozzle should not be facing the optical element when starting to blow, these steps help prevent the inert gas propellant from being deposited on the optical surface, small optical components use a short blowing method, and for large surfaces, blow in a figure 8 shape on the optical surface.

3. Other cleaning methods

If blowing the surface of the optical components is not enough, you can use contact cleaning methods such as wipe paper, lens paper and cotton swabs, optical grade solvents, etc., the wipe paper must be moistened with a suitable solvent, and must not be used dry, and the optical grade solvents commonly used in cleaning are acetone, methanol and isopropyl alcohol. Most solvents are toxic, flammable, or both, so read the product documentation carefully before using any solvent.

Optical component operation and cleaning tool

1. Gloves: lint-free cotton gloves or powder-free latex gloves.

2. Tweezers: optical tweezers/vacuum tweezers.

3. Cleaning pad: clean/place optical components.

4. Lens paper: provide a frictionless surface for holding/cleaning/wrapping optical components.

5. Optical storage box: head delicate wrap/foam/molded plastic filling.

6. Magnifying glass: head magnifying glass/handheld magnifying glass.

7. Scratch-pockmark reference board: helps users determine the thickness and depth of scratches.

8. Inert dust removal gas: It can provide a continuous high-pressure airflow and can blow loose pollutants away from the optical surface.

9. Blowout ball

10. Optical grade swab: Optical grade products, which will not leave contaminants on the optical components, and the material does not contain abrasive fibers.

11. Optical cleaning agent: distilled water, acetone, methanol and isoacetone, etc.