The weather is getting colder, and the temperature in many areas will drop below zero. For water-cooled lasers, if the cooling water inside freezes due to the low ambient temperature, the laser may be difficult to repair or even scrapped.

The Harm of Low Temperature to Laser

1. Ice Ruptures Cooling Pipes

Once the cooling water inside the laser freezes, the internal cooling pipes will be broken after the cooling water expands and leaks. Leakage will also cause damage to electrical components and contamination and damage to optical devices. For example, optical devices such as the quartz head of the optical fiber that are in direct contact with the cooling water will also crack due to freezing of the water.

2. Ice Causes the Cavity to Deform

If ice forms inside the laser, the laser’s resonant cavity and optical path components will be squeezed, resulting in irreversible deformation and displacement. This will cause the laser’s output power to drop, the spot pattern to become abnormal, and in more serious cases, the laser may even be unable to emit light.

How to Prevent It?

1. Keep the Ambient Temperature Above Freezing

Please make sure that the ambient temperature of the laser is within the temperature range required for normal operation of the laser. Most lasers require an ambient temperature of more than 5°C. Installing air conditioners or other heating equipment and ensuring that these facilities can operate continuously and safely can effectively prevent ice from forming inside the laser.

2. Keep the Water Chiller Running Continuously

When the laser is in a short-term shutdown or standby state, please keep the water chiller running continuously. Because the continuous flow of water can delay the occurrence of ice to a certain extent. (Also make sure that the ambient temperature is above freezing.)

3. Drain the Coolant

If the laser needs to be shut down, stored or transported for a long time, make sure that the coolant in the laser pipeline is drained. Blowing clean, oil-free compressed air or nitrogen from the water inlet can effectively drain the remaining coolant in the pipeline. However, the pressure of compressed air or nitrogen needs to be kept within a certain range, because excessive pressure can easily damage the pipeline. Some lasers use self-locking quick-connect connectors for water connections. In this case, please use the original quick-connect connector to open the self-locking device for drainage operations.