The recommended cleaning methods are dependent on the type of optic and its coatings.

You can download the recommended CVI Melles Griot cleaning procedures document Cleaning Methods (PDF).
The first part of the document describes five separate cleaning procedures with step-by-step instructions. The second part of the document lists which procedures should be used for which component.

You can also download this article Cleaning Optics (PDF) which explains the importance of the cleaning process to improve both the lifetime and performance of optics. Proper materials, techniques and handling procedures should be used to minimize the risk of damage.

CVI Melles Griot offers an extensive line of laser safety eyewear which covers most common laser applications. Because of the complex requirements for laser safety, we recommend that you contact one of our applications engineers and let us recommend the product that can best protect your vision. To do this, we need information about your laser and application. Please download and fill out the Laser Safety Eyewear information request form provided below before contacting the applications engineer.

Laser Eyewear Form (PDF)

Continuous Wave
Laser power is fixed or variable, but not delivered in a discrete pulse envelope.

Pulsed
Laser energy is delivered in a single discrete pulse at a specified repetition rate.

Power
The average power of a continuous wave (cw) laser beam expressed in watts (W).

Energy per Pulse
The energy of an individual pulse expressed in joules (J).

Pulse Repetition Rate
The rate at which pulses are repeated in a uniformly pulsed train of pulses expressed at the frequency of repetition of the pulses in the unit of hertz (pulses per second, Hz).

Gaussian Criteria
The definition as used in the ANSI Z136.1 Standard for both beam diameter and beam divergence, require that these quantities be measured at the 1/e power point (63.2%) on the ideal Gaussian beam intensity profile. Note that most laser equipment manufacturers specify these beam properties at the 1/e2 power point (86.5%), which is a factor of 1.414 larger than the 1/e power point.

Beam Dimension
Beam size (typically diameter) in millimeters, measured on the longest dimension.

Beam Divergence
Change in beam size with respect to distance measured in milliradians.