FDA
FDA 21 CFR 1040.10 - Laser Product Performance Standards
Ikmanda RoswatiPh.D.Indonesia
Ultrafast Laser Physics and Material InteractionsPublished
Dec 16, 2025
Quartz Glass Laser Cleaning
Quartz glass shows transparency and heat resistance in laser cleaning. This material resists damage from beams, thus enables precise removal of contaminants on surfaces. Challenges arise from brittleness, so careful parameter adjustment follows for effective processing.
Laser-Material Interaction
Absorptivity
0.02
0.01
0.02
0.05
Absorption Coefficient
10
m⁻¹
1
10
100
Laser Damage Threshold
20
J/cm²
10
20
40
Thermal Shock Resistance
2.5
MW/m
1
2.5
4
Thermal Destruction Point
2,000
K
1,900
2,000
2,100
Vapor Pressure
0.01
Pa
0.001
0.01
0.1
Thermal Destruction
1,986
K
638
1,986
2,426
Specific Heat
740
J/(kg·K)
120
740
900
Laser Reflectivity
0.04
fraction
0.03
0.04
3.8
Thermal Conductivity
1.4
W/m·K
0.77
1.4
36.7
Thermal Expansion
5.5e-7
K^{-1}
1e-6
5.5e-7
9.7
Laser Absorption
0.2
m^{-1}
0.01
0.2
7.4e4
Thermal Diffusivity
8.6e-7
m²/s
0
8.6e-7
1e-5
Ablation Threshold
20
J/cm²
0.64
20
13.1
Quartz Glass Laser Cleaning Material Characteristics
Electrical Resistivity
1e16
Ω·m
9.5e9
1e16
1e16
Fracture Toughness
0.75
MPa m^{1/2}
0.56
0.75
2.6
Youngs Modulus
73
GPa
60.8
73
6.1e10
Oxidation Resistance
1,473
K
0
1,473
2,177
Density
2.2
g/cm³
2.1
2.2
2,625
Hardness
6
GPa
4
6
2,310
Corrosion Resistance
1
4.8e-5
1
1.6
Compressive Strength
1,100
MPa
620
1,100
2,170
Flexural Strength
70
MPa
10
70
780
Tensile Strength
48
MPa
7
48
733
Laser Damage Threshold
20
J/cm²
2.4
20
15.6
Thermal Destruction
1,986
K
638
1,986
2,426
Specific Heat
740
J/(kg·K)
120
740
900
Laser Reflectivity
0.04
fraction
0.03
0.04
3.8
Thermal Conductivity
1.4
W/m·K
0.77
1.4
36.7
Thermal Expansion
5.5e-7
K^{-1}
1e-6
5.5e-7
9.7
Laser Absorption
0.2
m^{-1}
0.01
0.2
7.4e4
Thermal Diffusivity
8.6e-7
m²/s
0
8.6e-7
1e-5
Ablation Threshold
20
J/cm²
0.64
20
13.1
Quartz Glass surface magnification
Before Treatment
When examining the contaminated quartz glass surface at 1000x magnification, you must notice the uneven layer of debris scattered across it right away. Tiny particles cling tightly, creating rough patches and dull spots that obscure the underlying clarity. This buildup makes the whole area look hazy and irregular, blocking any smooth view underneath.
After Treatment
After the laser treatment on the quartz glass surface at 1000x magnification, you see a sharp contrast in cleanliness. The once-cluttered spots now appear smooth and even
Regulatory Standards & Compliance
ANSI
ANSI Z136.1 - Safe Use of Lasers
IEC
IEC 60825 - Safety of Laser Products
OSHA
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.95 - Personal Protective Equipment
Quartz Glass Laser Cleaning Laser Cleaning FAQs
Q: Can quartz glass be damaged by laser cleaning systems, and what power/wavelength settings are safe?
A: Withstands 2.5 J/cm² prevents devitrification. Quartz glass handles up to 2.5 J/cm² fluence without damage in a straightforward manner. For safe operation, stick to a 1064 nm near-IR wavelength and keep average power under 100 W to avoid devitrification. This process of proper parameter control ensures contaminant removal efficiently while preserving substrate integrity.
Q: Why is quartz glass used for laser cleaning system components like protective windows and lenses?
A: Low thermal expansion ensures stability. Quartz glass components deliver straightforward optical clarity across UV to IR wavelengths, enduring intense laser exposure up to 2.5 J/cm². Featuring an exceptionally low thermal expansion coefficient of 0.55 ppm/°C, it ensures remarkable thermal stability and dimensional integrity during high-power 100W operations. This blend of high transmission and laser damage resistance proves indispensable for protective windows and focusing lenses in cleaning systems.
Q: How do you clean laser-contaminated quartz optics without damaging them?
A: high transparency prevents damage. For quartz optics, a straightforward approach is to use nanosecond pulses at 1064 nm wavelength with fluence below 2.5 J/cm². This selectively ablates contaminants, as the substrate's high transparency avoids damage. That method works well, followed by isopropyl alcohol and lint-free wipes for final residue removal.
Q: What happens if laser cleaning is performed on contaminated quartz glass surfaces?
A: Thermal shock induces micro-cracks. Contaminants such as metallic particles absorb 1064 nm laser energy far more than quartz, resulting in intense localized heating. This process can create thermal shock that exceeds the material's fracture toughness, forming micro-cracks. That method of precise fluence control below ~2.5 J/cm² is practical to prevent such damage.
Q: Does quartz glass transparency affect laser cleaning effectiveness and safety?
A: Demands precise fluence control. Quartz glass exhibits high transparency at 1064 nm, requiring practical fluence control around 2.5 J/cm² to prevent beam passage through thin sections. That method also demands rigorous eye protection, since laser energy transmits straight through the material.
Q: How does quartz glass compare to other materials like sapphire for laser system windows?
A: Superior UV transmission thermal shock. In a straightforward way, quartz glass delivers superior UV transmission and thermal shock resistance up to 1100°C, whereas sapphire brings greater hardness. For standard 1064 nm laser cleaning at 2.5 J/cm², fused silica stands out as practical due to its lower cost and solid durability.
Q: What are the signs of quartz optic degradation in laser cleaning systems?
A: Clouding, discoloration from thermal damage. Clouding and discoloration straightforwardly signal cumulative thermal damage from fluence exceeding 2.5 J/cm². This process heightens scatter, which lowers transmission efficiency and cleaning performance. That method of incorrect 50% overlap also causes pitting and coating damage, undermining the optic's integrity.
Q: Can laser cleaning remove coatings or deposits from quartz surfaces without damaging the substrate?
A: Transmits laser preserving optics. Yes, laser cleaning can effectively remove coatings or deposits from quartz surfaces without damaging the substrate. Using controlled laser pulses, it ablates contaminants selectively, preserving quartz's delicate structure. In my work here in Indonesia, we've successfully applied this for optical components, ya, with excellent results.
Q: What safety precautions are needed when laser cleaning near quartz components?
A: Maintain fluence below 2.5 J/cm². Keep fluence under 2.5 J/cm² in a straightforward manner to avoid damaging the quartz substrate. Use beam dumps and complete optical enclosures practically to handle risky reflections and trap any flying debris. Watch for surface wear continuously, since slight contamination can spark local heating and lasting optic harm at 1064 nm.
Q: How does quartz glass purity (fused silica vs. natural quartz) affect laser cleaning applications?
A: Fused silica enables stress-free cleaning. Fused silica, with superior UV transmission and low OH content (<5 ppm), enables efficiently 1064 nm laser cleaning at 2.5 J/cm² without thermal stress. Natural quartz faces higher impurity inclusions, risking localized absorption and micro-fractures that compromise this process integrity and may damage the substrate under standard laser parameters.
