Beam shaping to provide round and square-shaped beams in optical systems of high-power lasers

Alexander Laskin; Vadim Laskin

doi:10.1117/12.2218620

13 May 2016 Beam shaping to provide round and square-shaped beams in optical systems of high-power lasers

Alexander Laskin, Vadim Laskin

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9834, Laser Technology for Defense and Security XII; 98340B (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218620
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2016, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

Optical systems of modern high-power lasers require control of irradiance distribution: round or square–shaped flat-top or super-Gaussian irradiance profiles are optimum for amplification in MOPA lasers and for thermal load management while pumping of crystals of solid-state ultra-short pulse lasers to control heat and minimize its impact on the laser power and beam quality while maximizing overall laser efficiency, variable profiles are also important in irradiating of photocathode of Free Electron lasers (FEL). It is suggested to solve the task of irradiance re-distribution using field mapping refractive beam shapers like piShaper. The operational principle of these devices presumes transformation of laser beam intensity from Gaussian to flat-top one with high flatness of output wavefront, saving of beam consistency, providing collimated output beam of low divergence, high transmittance, extended depth of field, negligible residual wave aberration, and achromatic design provides capability to work with ultra-short pulse lasers having broad spectrum. Using the same piShaper device it is possible to realize beams with flat-top, inverse Gauss or super Gauss irradiance distribution by simple variation of input beam diameter, and the beam shape can be round or square with soft edges. This paper will describe some design basics of refractive beam shapers of the field mapping type and optical layouts of their applying in optical systems of high-power lasers. Examples of real implementations and experimental results will be presented as well.

Citation Download Citation

Alexander Laskin and Vadim Laskin "Beam shaping to provide round and square-shaped beams in optical systems of high-power lasers", Proc. SPIE 9834, Laser Technology for Defense and Security XII, 98340B (13 May 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218620

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