Abstract: An assembly for distributing laser energy is provided that is formed using a compact rigid housing with a sealed beam path contained therein. The assembly employs a monolithic housing with modular collimator and mirror switching components installed therein to reduce its size while maintaining a sealed beam path thereby reducing the possibility of contamination of the beam path. Other than the optics and mirror, there are no elements of the distribution device contained within the beam path. In one embodiment, the assembly distributes incoming energy from a single source to one or more outputs. In another embodiment, the assembly operates as a beam combiner to direct energy from one or more sources to a single output.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 31, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 27, 2012
Assignee:
IPG Photonics Corporation
Inventors:
Yuri Grapov, William D. Jones, Michael Digiantommaso