How should I clean the lens on my Diode Laser?

Lasers Solid State Lasers
1

As above, I’ve been using some particularly sooty materials, and my diode laser will probably need cleaning soon.

What is the best way to do it?

2

Good question.

I would:

  • Blow off with air.
  • Optionally dust with lens brush
  • Use a lens tissue and some lens cleaning fluit (alternately alcohol)
  • Wet the tissue and gently wipe the surface
  • A clean microfiber towel can be used to dry the lens if you wont want to wait for air drying.
3

Lens cleaning fluid?

For glasses?
Contact lens?
Camera lens?

Or is there something special for laser lens?

I don’t want ot use the wrong type.

4

You can use the same materials as used for camera lenses.
Eyeglass materials are probably ok but these are your safest.

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5

I like using lens tissues for cleaning.

Also Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) should be fine. You could lightly wet a lens tissue with IPA or even use a cotton swab. Just don’t scrub hard.

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6

All of the lenses in my laser modules are recessed and pretty small. Like @NedMan I use a lint free cloth, wrapped around a cotton wool bud, iso alcohol and very little pressure.

You need to do this regularly, especially if you don’t have air-assist, they get dirty quite quickly. Not only does this reduce power, it also makes the diode run hotter, reducing lifespan.

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