IR windows

[GregR]

How do differing IR windows affect polarization and output power within the laser cavity (if they affect them at all)? In reading about CO2 lasers, in the old days salt windows were used. Nowadays, it is much harder to find salt windows and ZnSe is popular. I want to run some tests to check the results, and picked up some other uncoated materials on eBay including KR5 and germanium. In looking up the uncoated transmittance for these materials, the ZnSe was much lower than NaCl.

[mixedgas]

At Brewster's angle, small changes in angle matter greatly in the FAR IR. The only way to find out if a given window has issues is to check with the manufacturer. Optical Anisotrophy can be a issue, but window makers strive to avoid it.

I'd suggest you check out the Two-Six web site:


http://www.ii-vi.com/

Steve

[macona]

If you are building a CO2 I would just use optics on the cavity. If I were to build one, with the prices of chinese CO2s you would be insane to build one.