Abstract: An apparatus for beam shaping of laser radiation in the form of ultra short pulses includes an achromatic optical device comprising a first substrate having a first Abbe number and a second substrate connected to the first substrate and having a second Abbe number that is different from the first Abbe number. The first and second substrates are arranged to allow the laser radiation to at least partially pass through the first and second substrates in succession, wherein an optically functional transformation boundary surface is disposed on one of the first and second substrates. The optically functional transformation boundary surface allows the laser radiation to pass at least partially, such that a profile of the laser radiation is transformed into a top-hat profile.

Abstract: A laser device comprises first and second laser units to respectively emit first and second laser beams that propagate in first and second directions and that are polarized in first and second polarization directions and a polarization coupling prism arranged to couple the two laser beams. The coupling prism comprises: a light entry surface to receive the first laser beam; a reflecting surface to reflect the first laser beam at an angle greater than the limit angle of total inner reflection; and a light exit surface through which the first laser beam exits the prism. The second laser unit is arranged relative to the polarization coupling prism to cause the second laser beam to impinge on and be reflected at the light exit surface in the same direction as the first laser beam exiting the prism, resulting in a collinear superposition of the first and second laser beams.