Optics Losses

When selecting optics for your particular application, keep the following information about optic losses in mind:

• Refractive optical materials absorb a small fraction of the UV laser beam. The amount of absorption depends on the optic thickness.
• Reflection from surfaces of refractive optics contributes to losses.
• Reflective optical components have losses of ~1 – 2%.
• Absorption losses can be minimized by proper choice of optical materials and high quality workmanship.
• Reflective losses with refractive elements can be minimized with angle and wavelength dependent anti-reflection dielectric coatings.
• Losses with reflective elements can be minimized with angle and wavelength dependent high-reflection dielectric coatings.
• Losses are best controlled by limiting the number of optical elements. Refractive optics should be as thin as possible.
• Sometimes more elements are acceptable if the process requires high precision and beam utilization is a secondary consideration.

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