Lasers for external cavity applications need low anti-reflection coating. Low reflectivity on the front facet does not allow high output power before installing external mirrors; this in turn prevents high-power burn-in. Without burn-in and screening for infant mortality it is impossible to assure reliability of the laser.

We have developed a multi-step procedure, which permits high-power burn-in and still arrives at low anti-reflection coating.

Initially the lasers are coated for high-power performance and burned-in during 70 hours. Lasers which survive the burn-in with degradation less than 2% are reprocessed for low anti-reflection coating. Here is a summary of available products and their characteristics: