1. Pre-Operation Preparation: Safety & Wipe Selection

• Wipe Qualification:
  • Use only anti-static or conductive cleaning wipes meeting ANSI/ESD S20.20 standards:
    • For general optical surfaces (e.g., microscope lenses), select wipes with surface resistance 10⁶–10¹⁰ Ω (balances charge dissipation and safety).
    • For high-risk components (e.g., laser diode modules), use conductive wipes (10³–10⁶ Ω) for immediate charge neutralization.
  • Ensure wipes are lint-free (continuous-filament polyester/microfiber) and optically safe (no abrasive additives). Avoid cotton or blended wipes—they shed fibers and generate static (up to 1,000V).
  • For solvent-based cleaning (e.g., oil residue removal), choose pre-wet wipes with 99.9% lens-grade IPA or deionized water—avoid harsh solvents (acetone, ethanol) that degrade AR coatings and strip anti-static treatments.
• Operator & Workspace Grounding:
  • Wear an ESD wrist strap (connected to a verified ground point) and ESD-safe gloves (nitrile, not latex—latex generates static). Ensure the wrist strap’s resistance tests to 10⁶–10⁹ Ω before use.
  • Place the optical equipment on an ESD-safe mat (grounded via a 1MΩ resistor) to prevent charge buildup on the device chassis. Keep non-essential materials (e.g., plastic containers) at least 30cm away—they act as static generators.
• Equipment Prep:
  • Power down the optical device and disconnect it from power (if safe to do so) to eliminate electrical pathways for ESD.
  • Use a static-neutralized bulb blower (not compressed air) to remove loose dust first—rubbing dry dust with wipes creates static and scratches.

2. Core Operational Steps: Anti-Static Cleaning Technique

• Wipe Handling:
  • Remove wipes from their sealed, ESD-safe packaging one at a time—do not leave wipes exposed to air (moisture loss degrades anti-static performance). Hold wipes by the edges only to avoid transferring skin oils (which attract dust and reduce conductivity).
• Optical Surface Cleaning:
  • Dry Wiping (Dust Removal):
    1. Fold the anti-static wipe into a 4-layer pad (exposes clean fibers and reduces pressure on optics).
    2. Wipe flat optical surfaces (e.g., detector windows) in single, slow linear strokes (horizontal or vertical)—never circular motions (spread dust and generate friction-induced static).
    3. For curved surfaces (e.g., laser mirrors), use radial strokes (center to edge) to conform to the surface without applying uneven pressure.
  • Pre-Wet Wiping (Residue Removal):
    1. Use pre-wet anti-static wipes for oil/fingerprint residues—ensure the wipe is damp, not dripping (excess solvent seeps into optics housings and damages electronics).
    2. Dab (do not rub) residue spots on AR coatings—rubbing abrades the coating and generates static. Hold the wipe against stubborn residues for 2–3 seconds to let the solvent dissolve them, then wipe once.
    3. Immediately follow pre-wet wiping with a dry anti-static wipe to blot excess solvent—moisture attracts dust and compromises anti-static properties.
• Component-Specific Care:
  • Optical Connectors (e.g., fiber optic ports): Use mini anti-static wipes (2”x2”) folded into a thin strip to clean connector ferrules. Avoid touching connector ends—skin oils degrade signal quality and attract static.
  • Control Panels & Electronics: Wipe external touchscreens with dry anti-static wipes—pre-wet wipes may seep into button gaps and short-circuit internal circuits.

3. Post-Operation Verification & Protection

• ESD Testing: Use an ESD field meter to measure surface charge on the optical equipment post-cleaning—target charge ≤100V (no detectable static field). If charge exceeds this, re-wipe with a fresh anti-static wipe.
• Optical Inspection: Check surfaces under angled light (use a flashlight) or 10–20x magnification for:
  • Remaining dust/fibers (remove with a bulb blower).
  • Solvent streaks (buff with a dry wipe).
  • Coating scratches (document and address immediately—scratches worsen with time).
• Storage:
  • Cover cleaned optical equipment with an ESD-safe dust cover (conductive or static-dissipative) to prevent dust accumulation and static buildup.
  • Store unused anti-static wipes in their original sealed packaging, away from heat sources (moisture loss reduces anti-static performance).

4. Prohibited Practices (Critical for Anti-Static Safety)

• Do NOT use non-anti-static wipes (e.g., paper towels, regular microfiber) on optical equipment—they generate static and scratch surfaces.
• Do NOT spray solvent directly onto optical surfaces—excess liquid seeps into housings and strips anti-static coatings.
• Do NOT clean hot optical components (e.g., laser lenses post-use)—thermal shock cracks glass, and heat accelerates solvent evaporation (leaving residues).
• Do NOT reuse anti-static wipes—used wipes trap dust and lose their anti-static properties, spreading contamination.