Hi everyone.
We have some nasty problems with our CO2 laser windows:
Our double-pumped ("old technology") window got tired of life, the blanks
were going up, so we decided to buy a new one.
We tried the Delta-seal design as described by Laura Webb (Syracuse
University), with the best blank (achieved only once) being ~ three times
higher than the normal one.
Caburn proposed the braised ZnSe window ("new technology"). We installed it
and have a blank of ca. 10 times the normal one, after baking at ~150 C for
two days. At present, the time-scan on mass 40 in static indicates a leak
on the laser chamber (straight line going up); it's a nearly flat line if
the laser chamber is isolated. The blank from the laser chamber has air
argon composition, also indicating a leak. However, leak testing with
various amounts of pure argon did not indicate any leaking section in
particular. In other terms, we are pretty confident that there is a leak on
the laser chamber, but are unable to find it.
So, my questions are:
- Has any of you tried this "new technology" window (Caburn and others,
braised), and what was your experience?
- If not Delta-seal design, if not doubly pumped design, if not epoxy-glued
design, if not braised design, then what?...
I'm desperate for a low-blank, simple-design, bakable, easy-to-use,
off-the-shelf CO2 laser window. Am I asking too much?
Thank you.
Paul.
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