Beam shaping diffuser based fiber injection for increasing stability of industrial robotic laser applications

Todd E. Lizotte; Fred M. Dickey

doi:10.1117/12.2029490

28 September 2013 Beam shaping diffuser based fiber injection for increasing stability of industrial robotic laser applications

Todd E. Lizotte, Fred M. Dickey

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8843, Laser Beam Shaping XIV; 88430H (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2029490
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

This paper documents the investigation of a diffuser based fiber injection system and its successful implementation and experimental testing in a robotic industrial process. This is a new concept based on the idea that a diffuser that has the angular radiation pattern matching the NA of the fiber can be used to approximate the field pattern at the face of a mode filled fiber. The research considered two approaches to this problem. The two related approaches to the problem were developed conceptually and analytically for two predominant wavelengths of interest, 1030 nm and 532 nm. The first is an implementation that would consist of illuminating the diffuser with a uniform spot having the same shape as the fiber core and imaging the illuminated spot onto the fiber face. The other approach is the use of a far-field (Fourier transform) diffractive element with a transform lens. This paper will provide an overview of the analytics and testing of the later concept (Fourier transform) and the experimental implementation of the design to a laser fiber coupling system to launch a 532 nm pulsed laser beam into a square core fiber optical beam delivery system. Further detail will be shared with the experimental performance of the design when integrated within a multi-axis robotic arm, which has six degrees of freedom. These results will include how the fiber injection system improved laser beam stability during process operations, in comparison to traditional simple lens injection methods.

Citation Download Citation

Todd E. Lizotte and Fred M. Dickey "Beam shaping diffuser based fiber injection for increasing stability of industrial robotic laser applications", Proc. SPIE 8843, Laser Beam Shaping XIV, 88430H (28 September 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2029490

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