Any industrial system that uses lasers for investigation, processing, analysis or monitoring has multiple optical components to transport and direct the laser pulse from the source to the surface of the object of interest. The proper functioning of the optical components is critical to the performance of the system and its cost of operation. Small deviations from the initial conditions under which these damage limits are determined can have catastrophic effects. The existence of real-time monitoring systems of the operating state of optical components is becoming a necessity to streamline technological processes and avoid high-cost losses.
The aim of this project is to develop and implement at industrial scale a robust and scalable diagnostic system for monitoring functional laser mirrors under normal atmospheric conditions. Our innovative approach, based on mirror compensation current (TCC) monitoring provides a higher stability and sensitivity compared to other methods currently in use. Furthermore, it will reduce production costs but also the degree of complexity required in monitoring optical systems, bringing benefits towards mass production that are not dependent on the nature of the irradiated object.