Beam shaping of focused radiation of multimode lasers

Alexander Laskin; Joerg Volpp; Vadim Laskin; Aleksei Ostrun

doi:10.1117/12.2287980

15 February 2018 Beam shaping of focused radiation of multimode lasers

Alexander Laskin, Joerg Volpp, Vadim Laskin, Aleksei Ostrun

Proceedings Volume 10525, High-Power Laser Materials Processing: Applications, Diagnostics, and Systems VII; 1052507 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2287980
Event: SPIE LASE, 2018, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Performance of various laser technologies like welding, metal sheet cutting based on the use of powerful multimode fiber lasers, fiber-coupled solid-state and diode lasers can be improved by manipulation of energy distribution perpendicular and along optical axis. Welding, cladding with 0.5-2 mm size working spots benefit from “inverse-Gauss” intensity profiles, and doubled or tripled spots perpendicular to axis are good solutions to provide more uniform temperature profiles on a workpiece. Thick metal sheet cutting, some types of welding get benefits from distributing the laser energy along the optical axis resulting in more efficient usage of laser energy, higher and more stable cutting edge quality, faster processing. Since the radiation of multimode lasers is of low spatial coherence, characterized by big Beam Parameter Products (BPP) or M² values, it is difficult to control the intensity distribution by methods other than imaging of a fiber end using a collimator and focusing objective. A promising suggested solution is combining of imaging the fiber end and geometrical separation of focused spots either perpendicular to or along the optical axis using dedicated optical components. Thus, energy of high power lasers is distributed among multiple foci. To provide reliable operation with multi-kW lasers and avoid damages the multi-focus optical devices are designed as refractive elements with smooth optical surfaces. The paper presents descriptions of multi-focus optics as well as examples of intensity profile measurements of beam caustics and application results.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Alexander Laskin, Joerg Volpp, Vadim Laskin, and Aleksei Ostrun "Beam shaping of focused radiation of multimode lasers", Proc. SPIE 10525, High-Power Laser Materials Processing: Applications, Diagnostics, and Systems VII, 1052507 (15 February 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2287980

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available