Question about Schlieren Grade Fused Silica

From: LASERDOUG (laserdoug_at_aol.com)
Date: 08/28/04 

Date: 28 Aug 2004 16:18:38 GMT

Hello,

I am a manufacturer involved in making precision optical components for laser
equipment. We are now in the process of having a product manufactured that
specifies the use of Schlieren grade fused silica. This product was designed
back in the early 1980's and the product has been made with that material on
several production runs through the mid 90's. Unfortunately, the engineers
involved in the original design are no longer with the company and we're now
wondering if this specification of glass is really necessary (Schlieren Grade),
or was this just a good quality of fused silica at the time? Now that the UV
grade and bubble free (well almost) fused silica has been developed, might
those materials be adequate?

This material is being used in an acousto optic device (intracavity) within a
laser resonator operating in the near infrared, but sometimes might operate in
the visible or as low as 266 nm in the UV. The fused silica is naturally AR
coated for the specific frequency being used.

I have tried doing some research on the web regarding Schlieren Grade Fused
silica ... I have seen the material mentioned in several articles and technical
papers, but I have never found anything definitive that compares it to any of
the newer fused silica products.

Can anyone here offer any comments or recommendations?

Thank you!

Doug

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