Quality of optical components and systems for laser applications

The requirements for optical components and systems which are used for laser applications are different and normally stronger compared to standard applications. First of all, the quality is determined by the optical design of components and systems as used for different applications fi-om DUV to NIR Furthermore, especially in high power systems the properties of the optical elements limit their general use and their life time. For the industrial fabrication of optics in large quantities special production procedures and additional measurements for the characterization of the quality have to be performed. As is well known, the short term as well as the long term stability is limited by the material, the polishing quality and the coating. Therefore today new standards for specification and testing of absorption, scattering and laser damage are applied in the industrial farbrication. Standardized laser components and typical data of surface quality and damage threshold will be discussed.