Nd:YVO4 cleaning

[Doc]

I have a green module stripped down for repair due to low power. The main problem is the cavity is out of alignment.

Most of the threads are stripped inside the unit and the optics have been glued in to place. I have re tapped the threads for M2.5 and got everything sable and had some flashes of decent power but there is a small burned spot on the YVO4.

The spot is very small and only visible with a loup, but if possible I would like to polish it off, but what if anything do I use for polish?

Cheers, Doc

[badger1666]

as far as i am aware if its got a burn on it its shagged you cant polish it off
that would remove the coating as well
you might get away with shunting the xtal over a bit to miss the burnt spot
it may work but not that well

[Doc]

Snorted! I just moved the pump spot about 1/64" and all is good.

[Doc]

That's all you've got to do. There's usually a lot more crystal real estate besides what's been burned, so simply pumping it elsewhere is usually enough.. The burn spot does make me wonder what the damage threshold on the coating is, though. The coatings should outlast the diode if everything's been selected right...

I'm guessing some dust was deposited when the threads were being stripped.