Laser optics are subjected to a variety of conditions that cause performance degradation over time or which make it impossible to use the optics under certain conditions. These environmental factors include spatter, cleaning, pressure, moisture and heat. variables that can effect optics life are the composition of the laser target, the composition of assist gases and different ways in which operators handle the optics. Most of these factors can be adequately controlled, or at least identified, by the user. Lens Saver® windows enable users to control two factors which affect lens life---spatter damage and the degradation of the lens that arises form cleaning it. Spatter and cleaning both lead to a deterioration of the AR coating on a ZnSe lens. Even lens that appear clean can degrade badly in performance when the AR coating begins to get wiped off. Lens Savers® block spatter and limit the amount of cleaning lens required, thereby extending lens life.

But, Lens Savers® are effected by other environmental factors, the most significant of which are pressure and moisture. CO2 laser Lens Saver® windows are hygroscopic, so care must be taken by the user to protect them from moisture when they are not is use. In use, the assist gas is usually sufficiently dry to protect against moisture damage. Detailed handling instructions are included with every package of Lens Saver® windows, and by following these instructions most environmental issues can be effectively dealt with. See Handling CO2 Laser Lens Saver® protection windows near the price list. However, there is one enemy of Lens Saver® windows that must be overcome by the lens mount---assist gas pressure.

Many of our new customers tell us the outset that they have tried lens protection windows in CO2 laser cutting systems but that the windows always broke very quickly. These customers tell us that they know lens protection windows work in welding lasers, so they cannot understand why they won't work in cutting lasers. The answer is always pressure. NaCl and KCl, the material from which CO2 laser Lens Saver® windows are made, will not take much more than 25 pounds of pressure without breaking unless something is done to solve the pressure problem. The good news is that we've solved the problem. ICL has invented a series of patent pending lens mounts and adapters that allow Lens Saver® windows to survive while operating in the high assist gas pressures that are employed with CO2 lasers for cutting many substrates such as stainless steel.