Laser optics for fiber and YAG lasers are designed for wavelengths around 1070 nm and require materials and coatings capable of handling high laser power and demanding industrial environments.
Laser optics for fiber and YAG lasers
In laser processing using fiber lasers or Nd:YAG lasers, the systems typically operate in the wavelength range 1060–1080 nm, with 1070 nm being the standard for fiber lasers.
Optical components designed for CO₂ lasers (10.6 µm) are not compatible with this wavelength range. Therefore, optics specifically designed for fiber and YAG laser systems are required.
We supply lenses, protective windows, and optical components optimized for these wavelengths and designed for industrial laser systems.
Materials for lenses and protective windows
The most common materials used for fiber laser optics include:
BK7 glass
A standard optical glass with good transmission. It can be used in certain applications but has lower thermal stability at high laser power.
Fused Silica (FS / kvarts)
Widely used in industrial laser systems due to its high transmission, excellent thermal stability, and resistance to thermal shock.
In most industrial applications, Fused Silica / quartz is the preferred material because it provides better durability and longer service life under demanding conditions.
Premium options – sapphire and diamond
For particularly demanding applications, more advanced optical materials are available.
Sapphire
A synthetic material with excellent scratch resistance and high thermal stability. Sapphire is more expensive than fused silica but performs well in environments where optics are exposed to mechanical wear or rapid temperature changes.
Diamond
Diamond optics represent the most advanced option, offering exceptional durability, excellent thermal conductivity, and strong resistance to contamination. When properly maintained, diamond optics can operate for very long periods without performance degradation. Due to high cost and limited availability, diamond optics are typically used in specialized or critical applications.
Optical coatings
Most lenses and protective windows are equipped with optical coatings to improve performance.
The most common coating is:
AR coating (Anti-Reflection)
Reduces reflection losses and maximizes light transmission through the optical components, which is critical for efficient fiber laser processing.
Custom dimensions
We supply protective windows and optical components in a wide range of dimensions suitable for different machine models.
To help identify the correct component, we typically require:
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diameter (for round optics)
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width × length (for rectangular optics)
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thickness
Contact us and we will help you identify the correct optics for your fiber or YAG laser system.
Cleaning and maintenance of laser optics
Regular cleaning is essential to maintain optical performance and extend component lifetime.
For routine maintenance, we recommend:
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Isopropanol (IPA)
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Lint-free optical cleaning wipes or swabs
Using proper cleaning materials is important – damaged optics are significantly more expensive to replace than the correct cleaning tools.
Heavy contamination
If optics are heavily contaminated, the following cleaning method can be used:
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Clean with diluted acetic acid (~20%)
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Finish with chemically pure acetone
Cleaning should always be performed in a dust-free environment. Avoid opening the cutting head directly in a production environment, as contamination may lead to costly clean-room servicing.
