An apparatus and process for retaining laser bars during a facet coating operation and releasing the bars after the conclusion of the facet coating operation. A multitude of spacers are positioned with laser bars therebetween. Each spacer includes an upper and lower fixture blade. The spacers are compressed together, thus sandwiching the laser bars, during the facet coating operation. After release of the compressive force, adhered laser bars are removed by moving one of the fixture blades relative to the other fixture blade. Movement can be along the longitudinal axis of the blades, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, or rotation about a pivot axis. Further, movement can include elevation of one blade, or an end of one blade, relative to the other blade.