Edinburgh Laser Optics, supported by a SUPA START Award, was helped by the Institute of Photonics (IoP), at the University of Strathclyde, to improve and optimise their automated optical damage testing facility.
Optical Damage Testing Facility Optimised
Edinburgh Laser Optics and the Institute of Photonics
Edinburgh Laser Optics, supported by a SUPA START Award, was helped by the Institute of Photonics (IoP), at the University of Strathclyde, to improve and optimise their automated optical damage testing facility.
In a recently completed project, an ambitious SME, based in Midlothian, Edinburgh Laser Optics have developed a facility that can perform custom laser damage testing on optical components to ISO standards — something many companies now have to outsource to labs in the USA. Edinburgh Laser Optics were looking to optimise the setup of their high energy Nd:YAG laser system.
The Technologist from the IoP analysed the existing optical design and the laser itself. Initially, a number of parts of the laser were found to contain faults, these were replaced. A number of different recommendations were made for revision to the optical layout and the laser control strategy along with the pros and cons of each.
Edinburgh Laser Optics now have a fully optimised laser damage threshold testing facility allowing them to begin offering the service to customers. They are looking at setting up an additional facility to test laser damage in an alternate manner.