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Understanding the most commonly used laser optics materials will allow for easy navigation of EO’s wide selection of laser optics components.

Overspecifying optical losses in laser systems will not further improve your performance or reliability, but it could cost you additional money and/or time.

Understanding the polarization of laser light is critical for many applications, as polarization impacts reflectance, focusing the beam, and other key behaviors.

Learn the key parameters that must be considered to ensure you laser application is successful. Common terminology will be established for these parameters.

Learn why the bulk laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of glass is significantly different than the LIDT optical components with coatings, such as AR thin films.

Laser Induced Damage Threshold describes the maximum quantity of laser radiation an optic can take before damaging. Learn more at Edmund Optics.

The diameter of a laser highly affects an optic’s laser induced damage (LIDT) as beam diameter directly impacts the probability of laser damage.

Converting a Gaussian laser beam profile into a flat top beam profile can have numerous benefits including minimized wasted energy and increased feature accuracy.

Light is absorbed in optical media through several methods including exciting electrons to higher energy states and converting to thermal energy

Metrology is critical for ensuring that optical components consistently meet their desired specifications, especially in laser applications.

Learn the basics of telescope theory and how to construct different types of telescopes.

An understanding of refraction and basic ray optics is a critical foundation for understanding more complicated optical concepts and technologies.

UV Lenses require extremely tight tolerances and novel materials such as sapphire. Learn more at Edmund Optics.

Laser optics high reflectivity mirrors meet exceptional specifications that Edmund Optics' competitors often fail to meet. Learn more at Edmund Optics.

Testing laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) is not standardized, so understanding how your optics were tested is critical for predicting performance.

Understanding the most common laser sources, modes of operation, and gain media provides the context for selecting the proper laser for your specific application.

Laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) denotes the maximum laser fluence an optical component can withstand with an acceptable amount of risk.

Check out these best practices for handling and storing high power laser mirrors to decrease the risk of damage and increase lifetimes at Edmund Optics.

Laser beam expanders are critical for reducing power density, minimizing beam diameter at a distance, and minimizing focused laser spot size.

Superpolished optics with ultra-low surface roughness minimize scatter in optical systems, which is critical in sensitive laser applications.

Learn how to navigate the many available options for shaping the irradiance profile and phase of laser beams to maximize your laser system's performance.

Power density, energy density, fluence, and irradiance are often incorrectly used in laser optics applications. Learn the correct definitions and usage.

The length of a laser resonator determines the laser’s resonator modes, or the electric field distributions that cause a standing wave in the cavity.

Many challenges can arise when aligning a laser beam; knowing specific tips and tricks can help simplify the process. Learn more at Edmund Optics.

Compare Coherent Laser specifications with the Edmund Optics selection guide.

Have a question about adaptive optics or deformable mirrors? Learn more on understanding wavefronts, adaptive optics theory, and more at Edmund Optics.

Fluorescence imaging systems are composed of three major components, an illumination source, a photo-activated fluorophore sample, and detector.

Are standard beam expanders not meeting your application requirements? Learn how to design your own beam expander using stock optics at Edmund Optics.

Have a question about theoretical foundations? Find out more about the electromagnetic spectrum, interference, reflection, and more at Edmund Optics.