14.01.2026

Characterization of high-performance optics

Dr. Hansjörg Rohde

LASER COMPONENTS Germany

Title of Presentation:
Characterization of high-performance optics: Absorption and damage threshold

OPTRO 2026 • Oral Presentation
4 February 2026 • 9:20 AM - 9:40 AM PST
Room 2 • Session 2

Abstract

To keep pace with the trend towards higher power laser sources, the laser optics must continue to evolve to offer the highest reflectivity and laser damage threshold with the lowest thermal drift.

Optics are an essential component in all laser applications, from cutting and welding to defense system. The optics are responsible for ensuring that the high-quality laser beam reaches the target from the laser source while minimizing any effect on the beam quality.

Our study presents various possibilities for improving absorption and increasing the damage threshold of optics.

Laser Optics

manufactured by LASER COMPONENTS

Aspherical lenses correct aberrations, which in monochromatic light include image sharpness errors and distortion.

A typical application of these lenses is the focusing of a collimated beam onto an optical fiber.

Brewster plates are used to separate s- and p-polarized light.

Brewster plates have a rectangular shape and are inserted at a specific angle of incidence to the laser beam. Light that is polarized parallel to the plane of incidence/reflection is completely transmitted at Brewster’s angle, whereas about 50 % of s-polarized light is transmitted.

Cavity end mirrors are used to generate the laser beam in the resonator.

Resonator end mirrors, also known as cavity mirrors, are designed to have high reflectivity at the desired laser wavelength in order to maximize the efficiency of the laser.

ROUND AND RECTANGULAR CYCLINDER LENSES ARE USED TO CREATE LINES / BEAM EXPANSIONS IN ONE DIRECTION.

We offer plano-concave and plano-convex cyclindrical lenses in rectangular, square, and round form.

DIAGNOSTIC BEAM SPLITTERS FOR PROCESS MONITORING

Dichroic mirrors separate or combine two or more beams of different wavelengths in the desired ratio and enable process monitoring on the operating level in several wavelength ranges, as well as beam diagnostics. Their complex design enables multiple transmission and reflection ranges.

combine or separate two or more beams with different wavelengths.

Customized dichroic mirrors that are suitable for your individual application are manufactured upon request.

The degree of reflection slopes from the center of the optic in a Gaussian distribution.

Gaussion mirrors are used in unstable resonators - mostly as meniscus lenses with an integrated wedge to avoid back reflections despite of antireflection coatings.

Optimized for high-power lasers with intense pulse energies or high average powers

Mirrors for high-power lasers are high-precision optical components that direct or focus the laser beam. Thanks to a dielectric coating, the mirrors reflect the laser beam efficiently and withstand the high thermal load caused by the laser energy.

Protective windows are used during laser material processing to protect against material splashes.

Protective windows are the last optics to be used in front of the work area. They protect high-quality laser optics from material splashes during cutting, welding, drilling, structuring, marking and additive manufacturing. Protective windows are available in a variety of shapes and qualities.

FOR SPLITTING INTO ONE OR MORE DEFINED PARTIAL BEAMS.

When working with lasers, it is often necessary to split a laser beam into two or more defined partial beams. There are a variety of beam splitters for these applications, with different advantages and disadvantages. Dielectrically coated beam splitters have a high laser damage threshold.

Transmissive Plano-Parallel Plates WITH MINIMAL DISTORTION, SCATTERING OR ABSORPTION

Optical windows for laser applications are flat, transparent substrates made of materials with excellent optical properties. They are usually optimized to provide maximum transmission in a specific wavelength range providing low reflection and absorption at the same time.

FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS PROCESSING OF LIGHT OF DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS

Multi-wavelength beam splitters can be optimised for different ratios of reflected and transmitted light.

If you are looking for Laser Optics we are Happy to Support you
Click here