Protection of laser bond inspection optical components
AssigneeLSP Technologies, Inc.
InventorsSteven M. Toller, David Sokol, Mark E. O'Loughlin, Jeff L. Dulaney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for the protection of optical components used during laser bond inspection. In one embodiment, an optic surface wetting enhancement is provided on a protective optic to assist in forming a substantially flat film of transparent liquid from transparent liquid applied to a surface of a protective optic. A flat film of transparent liquid on a surface of a protective optic may be used to retain debris and effluent backscatter produced during a laser bond inspection process.
Claims21
1-20. (canceled)
An optic comprising:
- a first surface and a second surface opposite each other, the first surface and the second surface each having a transparent central portion configured to pass a laser beam;
- a wicking material to support a transparent liquid within the transparent central portion on the first surface, wherein the wicking material is one of secured to the first surface of the optic by an adhesive and integrated into the optic, wherein the wicking material at the first surface is located outside the transparent central portion of the first surface at a periphery of the transparent central portion of the first surface;
- and
- wherein the wicking material is configured to draw the transparent liquid from the transparent central portion of the first surface toward the periphery of the first surface and cause the transparent liquid to form in a substantially flat film on the transparent central portion.
An optic comprising:
- a first surface and a second surface opposite each other, the first surface and the second surface each having a transparent central portion configured to pass a laser beam;
- and
- a wicking material to support a transparent liquid within the transparent central portion on the first surface, wherein the wicking material is one of secured to the first surface of the optic by an adhesive and integrated into the optic, wherein the wicking material at the first surface is located outside the transparent central portion of the first surface.
A method for forming an optic comprising:
- treating a first surface of an optic with a first ant-reflective (AR) coating having a first index of refraction;
- treating a second surface of the optic with a second type of AR coating have a second index of refraction, wherein the first and the second surface each have a transparent central portion;
- and
- deforming a perimeter surface portion of the second surface to produce a roughened surface at a periphery of the transparent central portion of the first surface to support a transparent liquid within the transparent central portion, wherein the roughened surface is configured to draw the transparent liquid from the transparent central portion of the first surface toward the periphery and cause the transparent liquid to form in a substantially flat film on the transparent central portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.