Optic Cleaning Supplies

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Handi-Pad Application

Webril^® Handi-Pads (Item # CP-100)

• Pure Cotton, Non-Woven, Low Lint, Absorbent
• 100 Pads per Pack
• Nominal Single Sheet Dimension: 4" x 8" (100 mm x 200 mm)

The Handi-Pads are plush non-woven cotton pads. Each 4" x 8" pad is folded in half (4" x 4") prior to packaging so that a pure, uncontaminated pad surface is available even if the package is opened in a non-cleanroom environment. These pads are free from contaminants and adhesives, which make them ideal for use with optics cleaning solvents. The large plush pad allows the user to make a single continuous wipe across the entire surface of the optic being cleaned, even if the surface is curved such as with a lens. The pad can also be used to wrap optics before placing them in a storage container.

Lens Tissues (Item # MC-5)

• Extremely Soft, Premium Grade Sheets (25 Sheets per Booklet, 5 Booklets per Pack)
• Single Sheet Dimension: 4.9" x 2.9" (124 x 73 mm)
• Meets U.S. Government Lens Tissue Specification A-A-50177B

Bulk Lens Tissues (Item # MC-50E)

• Extremely Soft, Premium Grade Sheets (25 Sheets per Booklet, 50 Booklets per Box)
• Recloseable Box for Easy Storage
• Meets U.S. Government Lens Tissue Specification A-A-50177B

Lens tissues are 4.9" x 2.9" (124 x 73 mm) organic fiber sheets free from contaminants and adhesives, which makes them ideal for cleaning high-grade optics with or without the use of optic-cleaning solvents. Lens tissue will not leave lint or fibers on the optic and can be used to wrap an optic before placing it in a storage container.

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Optic Cleaning Using Forceps and Lens Tissue Paper

• Fabricated from Solid Stainless Steel
• Straight and Angled Versions Available
• Locking Grip Ideal for use with Lens Tissue Paper for Optics Cleaning

Thorlabs offers stainless steel forceps that are equipped with narrow tips for holding small objects. The locking grip on the forceps can be used to keep the tips in a closed position. The FCPA features an angled tip while the FCP has a straight tip.

• Polymer-Based Cleaning Formula for Safe, Residue-Free Optic Cleaning 
• Suitable for Cleaning Diffraction Gratings and other Sensitive Optics
• Dried Polymer Film Peels off, Removing Trapped Particles

Thorlabs offers Red First Contact^®† Polymer Cleaning Kits, which feature a red polymer solution that conforms to the contours of a surface, dissolving organic material and trapping any additional particles before drying as a film. The polymer can then be carefully peeled off the substrate, leaving behind a spotless surface with no residue.

Each kit includes a 15 mL applicator bottle and refill bottles of the red polymer solution; please refer to the table above for a list of the components offered in each kit. The solution can be applied to a substrate using either the included pipette(s) or applicator bottle; for larger objects it can be poured directly onto the surface and then spread. The All-Inclusive Kit (Item # PCK2) also includes a fan brush for spreading the polymer onto a substrate and thinner for cleaning the solution off the brush. The polymer can be spread with a brush using the polymer's surface tension; the bristles should not come into contact with the substrate. The included peel tabs, floss, and inert mesh can be used to cleanly remove this film, leaving behind the contaminant-free optic with no residue. This formula is carefully designed for use with sensitive substrates like diffraction gratings and AR-coated optics without damaging their structure and performance. The red formula polymer should not be used with reactive plastics or other materials that could not be cleaned with acetone.

^†First Contact^® is a registered trademark of Photonic Cleaning Technologies, LLC.

Kimwipes^®† (Item # KW32)

• 4.4" x 8.4" (11.2 cm x 21.3 cm), Durable, Absorbent, Extra Low Lint Sheets
• Ideal for Cleaning Connectors between Polishing Steps
• 280 Kimwipes per Box, 12 Boxes per Case (This Item is Sold by the Case)

Cotton-Tipped Applicators (Item # CTA10)

• 6" Wood Stick Disposable Applicators with Cotton Tips (100 per Pack)
• Appropriate for Cleaning Connectors or Optics

Kimwipes^® are durable, low-lint sheets and the cotton-tipped applicators are nonabrasive, disposable swabs. Both the Kimwipes and the cotton-tipped applicators are appropriate for cleaning optical fiber connectors. Additionally, the cotton-tipped applicators are optical grade, meaning they are nonabrasive and will not deposit contaminants, making them appropriate for cleaning optics (see our Optics Handling and Care Tutorial for details).

Please note that Kimwipes are sold in cases, with 12 boxes per case and 280 Kimwipes per box, and are not ideal for cleaning optics. Instead, we recommend using the MC-5 lens tissues to clean optics. We do not recommend using the cotton-tipped applicators with acetone.

^†Kimwipes^® is a registered trademark of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

• Non-Flammable HFO-1234ze Propellant
• Integrated Plastic Nozzle
• Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 6
• Zero Ozone Depletion Potential

Thorlabs offers the CA4-US and CA6-EU Eco-Friendly Air Dusters. These dusters evaporate HFO-1234ze to create high pressure gusts. These general use dusting cans are ideal for cleaning and maintaining optical and electrical equipment while leaving no residue. Due to different nations' regulations, we offer two versions of this product: the CA4-US is compliant in the United States and Canada, while the CA6-EU is compliant in the European Union. These dusters are chemically identical, but have different packaging and volumes; the -US version contains 10 ounces, while the -EU version contains 400 mL. Be sure to check with your government's regulations before ordering either product. The labels for the CA4-US can be downloaded by clicking here and the CA6-EU by clicking here.

Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Global Warming Potential according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency is a measure of how much energy the emissions of 1 ton of a gas will absorb over a given time, relative to the emissions of 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO₂). CO₂ is defined as having a GWP of 1. GWP is usually estimated for a 100-year time horizon, but other methods may be used. The higher the GWP of a gas, the more energy it can trap in Earth's atmosphere, correlating to a higher average global temperature. For a point of comparison, methane (CH₄) is listed as having a GWP of between 21 and 25. This duster's propellant, HFO-1234ze (1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene), is phototransformed in the air with ~100% degradation observed by 14 days, and has a GWP of 6. 

The attached MSDS, found by clicking the () icon, is given in over twenty languages. 

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Wash bottle appearance may vary from set to set.

• Four 500 mL Wash Bottles Labeled for Acetone, Methanol, Distilled Water, and Isopropanol (Solvents Not Included)
• Three 30 mL Dropper Bottles Labeled for Acetone, Methanol, and Propanol (Solvents Not Included)

These plastic wash bottles are ideal for the storage and dispensing of common laboratory cleaning solvents. The small dropper bottles are made from non-reactive plastic and recommended for dispensing cleaning fluids for laser grade optics. Each bottle is clearly labeled and the large bottles are color coded to help prevent misidentification of the solvents. 

• One-Handed Operation
• Holds Up to 8 oz (236.59 mL) of Solvent

This one-touch pump dispenser bottle is great for minimizing evaporation of solvents when cleaning optics with a swab or brush. Simply flip up the cap and press down on the spring-loaded top to fill the shallow reservoir with solvent. The bottle has a capacity of 8 oz and is suitable for most solvents, including acetone, gasoline, propanol, MEK, toluene, turpentine, and water. Eighteen pre-labeled and two blank self-adhesive labels are included.