Abstract: The present method for improving the quality of injection molded optical components consists of proper cleaning of the injection molding apparatus between uses. Injection parts that are not subjected to pressurized polymer are cleaned by passage through a series of isopropyl alcohol baths. At each stage clean brushes are used to remove any contaminating polymer. Those injection parts that are subjected to pressurized polymer are best passivated by a succession of thermal cycles in isopropyl alcohol. Thermal cycling removes a contaminant or charge that promotes pre-curing of polymer during the injection process.

Abstract: A protective coating [26] and a method for applying the same on an optically pumped solid state laser [10] having a lasing medium in the form of a slab [12] with at least two opposed parallel pumping faces [18, 20] between which a laser beam [11] propagates along a zig-zag path dictated by total internal reflection between these pumping faces. The slab [12] has an input face [14] for coupling in the laser beam and an output face [16] for coupling it out. The protective coating [26] is an organic synthetic, processed thermoplastic, or thermosetting polymer. Preferred materials include polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyvinylidene chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polyimide, and Mylar.The protective coating [26] is applied onto the slab [12] from a solution in which the solvent is selected from the group of materials consisting of ketones, esters, and perfluorinated solvents.