Quartz Glass surface undergoing laser cleaning showing precise contamination removal
Ikmanda Roswati
Ikmanda RoswatiPh.D.Indonesia
Ultrafast Laser Physics and Material Interactions
Published
Jan 6, 2026

Quartz Glass

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

Material-specific laser energy interaction properties and cleaning behavior

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

Reflectivity

0.04
0.035
0.04
0.045

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
0
1,986
3,972

Specific Heat

740
J/(kg·K)
0
740
1,480

Laser Reflectivity

0.035
fraction
0
0.035
0.07

Thermal Conductivity

1.38
W/m·K
0
1.38
2.76

Thermal Expansion

5.5e-7
K^{-1}
0
5.5e-7
1.1e-6

Laser Absorption

0.2
m^{-1}
0
0.2
0.4

Thermal Diffusivity

8.6e-7
m²/s
0
8.6e-7
1.7e-6

Ablation Threshold

20
J/cm²
0
20
40

Material Characteristics

Physical and mechanical properties

Electrical Resistivity

1e16
Ω·m
0
1e16
2e16

Fracture Toughness

0.75
MPa m^{1/2}
0
0.75
1.5

Youngs Modulus

73
GPa
0
73
146

Oxidation Resistance

1,473
K
0
1,473
2,946

Density

2.2
g/cm³
0
2.2
4.4

Hardness

6
GPa
0
6
12

Corrosion Resistance

1
0
1
2

Compressive Strength

1,100
MPa
0
1,100
2,200

Flexural Strength

70
MPa
0
70
140

Tensile Strength

48
MPa
0
48
96

Laser Damage Threshold

20
J/cm²
0
20
40

Quartz Glass 500-1000x surface magnification

Microscopic surface analysis and contamination details

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

Safety and compliance standards applicable to laser cleaning of this material

Industry Applications

Industries and sectors where this material is commonly processed with laser cleaning

  • Semiconductor Manufacturing

  • Aerospace Defense

  • Medical Device Manufacturing

  • Solar Energy

  • Cultural Heritage

  • Laboratory Analytical

  • Optical Manufacturing

  • Marine Offshore

  • Automotive Lighting

  • High Temperature Processing

FAQs for laser cleaning Quartz Glass

Common questions and expert answers about laser cleaning this material
Can quartz glass be damaged by laser cleaning systems, and what power/wavelength settings are safe?
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.
Why is quartz glass used for laser cleaning system components like protective windows and lenses?
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.
How do you clean laser-contaminated quartz optics without damaging them?
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.
What happens if laser cleaning is performed on contaminated quartz glass surfaces?
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.
Does quartz glass transparency affect laser cleaning effectiveness and safety?
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.
How does quartz glass compare to other materials like sapphire for laser system windows?
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.
What are the signs of quartz optic degradation in laser cleaning systems?
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.
Can laser cleaning remove coatings or deposits from quartz surfaces without damaging the substrate?
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.
What safety precautions are needed when laser cleaning near quartz components?
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.
How does quartz glass purity (fused silica vs. natural quartz) affect laser cleaning applications?
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.

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Common Contaminants

Types of contamination typically found on this material that require laser cleaning
Industrial Oil / Grease Buildup

Quartz Glass Dataset

Download Quartz Glass properties, specifications, and parameters in machine-readable formats
39
Variables
0
Laser Parameters
0
Material Methods
11
Properties
3
Standards
3
Formats
View all Glass datasets

License: Creative Commons BY 4.0 • Free to use with attribution •Learn more

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