Tsunami - Beckman Institute Laser Resource Center

Maintenance
Pump Mirrors PI and P2
b. Tighten the mounting setscrew, but not too tight.
6. Open the pump laser shutter and use the vertical and horizontal controls
of Mlo to adjust for maximum output power.
The p1/p2 mirror set is not changed when wavelength ranges are changed.
And because they are not part of the laser cavity, they are less sensitive to
contamination and need little cleaning. Therefore, they rarely need to be
removed. Furthermore, since the pump beam alignment is very dependent
on the orientation of these mirrors, any removal or replacement might require
a more extensive realignment of the entire laser. However, if these
mirrors do become excessively dusty, cleaning them might improve laser
performance.
Unlike the other mirrors, P1 is held in place by a spring-clip (Figure 6-5).
1. Close the pump laser shutter.
2. Remove the beam shield to access PI.
Focus Mirror M3 and Output Coupler Mlo
3. Remove the P1 optic by pulling back on its retaining spring with a
small, clean screwdriver while extracting the optic with a plastic hemostat.
4. Wearing clean gloves or finger cots, clean the surface using the "drop
and drag" method outlined in step 2 of "General Procedures for
Cleaning Optics."
5. Return the optic to its mount. Be sure the optic seats properly.
6. Open the pump laser shutter and align the mirror vertically and horizontally
for maximum output power.
7. Replace the beam shield if you do not intend to clean M3.
Pump mirror P2 is cleaned in the same manner as focus mirror M2 below.
1. Close the pump laser shutter.
2. Reach in from both sides of the OC mount and unscrew the knurled
M1 mirror holder (Figure 9-4).
3. Wearing clean finger cots or gloves, hold the mirror by its barrel and
pull it from its holder.
4. Clean the output surface using the "drop and drag" method outlined in
step 2 of "General Procedures for Cleaning Optics."
5. Install the optic in its holder with the output surface facing into the
holder.
Press it in until the O-ring captures it. Do not press on its optical surface.
6. Clean the cavity side in the same manner.
7. Screw the mirror holder into its mount.
Finger tight is sufficient.