Laser technology has a rising demand for high precision Fused Silica components. Precision Glass Moulding (PGM) is a technology that can fulfil the given demands in efficiency and scalability. Due to the elevated process temperatures of almost 1400 °C and the high mechanical load, Glassy Carbon was qualified as an appropriate forming tool material for the moulding of Fused Silica. Former studies revealed that the tools’ surface finishing has an important influence on wear behaviour. This paper deals with investigation and analysis of surface preparation processes of Glassy Carbon moulds. In order to fulfil standards for high precision optics, the finishing results will be characterised by sophisticated surface description parameters used in the optics industry. Later on, the mould performance, in terms of wear resistance, is tested in extended moulding experiments. Correlations between the surface finish of the Glassy Carbon tools and their service lifetime are traced back to fundamental physical circumstances and conclusions for an optimal surface treatment are drawn.

Fast-Axis-Kollimatoren (FAC) sind essenzielle optische Elemente für Diodenlasersysteme. Beim aktuellen Prozess des Trennschleifens mit nachgelagerter Reinigung von FAC-Optiken aus gepressten antireflexionsbeschichteten Glaswafern entstehen vermehrt Beschädigungen, die eine Verwendung der Optiken limitiert. Die Verwendung von Schneidfolie zur Substratfixierung beim Trennschleifen der FAC-Optiken ermöglicht ein defektfreies Schneiden und Lösen ohne Reinigung von der Folie und gleichzeitig können Kosten und Fertigungszeit eingespart werden.   Fast Axis Collimators (FAC) are essential optical elements for diode laser systems. The increasing number of damages occuring in the current process of cut-off grinding with downstream cleaning of FAC optics made of pressed anti-reflective coated glass wafers limits the use of optics in high-power applications. Using cutting film for substrate fixation during cut-off grinding of FAC optics allows for defect-free cutting and clean release from the cutting film while saving costs and production time.

No abstract