As a thought experiment, consider that an average Si PD detector is somewhere   
   around 2mmx2mm, as I remember. So the question arises in my mind, has anyone   
   cut the rather expensive filters into sizes needed for the detectors? I looked   
   around, and Tungsten    
   carbide scribe goes for $8 (seems to work better than the diamond variety.)    
   This could be done by hand, but a "scribing engine" worth consideration. I'm   
   still thinking about it, but ideal is to have tensioner spring, guide for   
   sliding, and way to immobilize the filter.    
   What is needed for immobilization is a glue to temporarily fix the filter. The   
   dopping wax used by diamond polishers, the old standby Duco cement, or Sodium   
   Silicate, a water soluble glue. You probably dont want to melt wax, or expose   
   filter to water, so    
   that leaves Duco released with acetone. I'm even nervous with acetone, since   
   it has a hydrophilic double nature capable of penetrating inorganic films. I'd   
   feel better with a strictly hydrophobic solvent like toluene, methylene   
   chloride, or hexane.    
   Possibly someone will post that the filter manufacturers like OCLI are doing   
   this already, but given that detectors are generally small area, it's a bit   
   surprising to me that the filters are so large.    
   JB   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)