Determining the suitability of an optical material for the production of optical elements, corresponding device, and use of said material

US7256887B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Schott AG · DE

Inventors

• Christian Muehlig · Jena, DE
• Wolfgang Triebel · Jena, DE
• Jochen Alkemper · Klein-Winternheim, DE
• Regina Martin · Jena, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 16, 2003
• Grant date: Aug 14, 2007
• Expiry date: Jan 1, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N21/6402
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The method tests the suitability of an optical material having a radiation-induced absorption, especially of an alkali or alkaline earth halide, for production of an optical element exposed to high-energy irradiation. The method includes pre-irradiating the optical material with laser radiation until rapid damage induced in the optical material with the laser radiation is saturated; subsequently measuring fluorescence of the optical material during and/or immediately after irradiating the optical material with excitation radiation and determining the non-intrinsic fluorescence and intrinsic fluorescence present in the measured fluorescence. Suitability may be preferably determined according to a ratio of the amount of non-intrinsic fluorescence to intrinsic fluorescence. A device for performing the method including a barrier device for blocking scattered excitation radiation is also provided.