METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTION OF DEGRADATION OF LASER OPTICAL ELEMENTS

摘要

Degradation of an optical element (2), particularly one used in a high-power gas laser, is prevented by heating the optical element (2). The optical element (2) is maintained at a temperature that exceeds the dew point of gasses in the lasing medium (14) even when the laser is not operating to preclude formation of a condensate layer that can promote degradation of the optical element (2).