Abstract: A method of generating adjustable composite beam shapes in response to controllable perturbation includes receiving, via inputs of multiple input fibers, different laser beams, combining the outputs from the multiple input fibers into a divergence-preserving fiber that preserves a combined divergence distribution of the intermediate beams; and converting at an output lens the combined divergence distribution to an output transverse spatial intensity distribution defining a composite beam shape of an output beam. The output transverse spatial intensity distribution includes a superposition of individual channel output beams.

Abstract: A fused fiber combiner combines outputs from multiple, separately controllable input fibers. At least one of the input fibers includes a portion to vary a transverse spatial intensity distribution in response to controllable perturbation, a portion to convert position to angle, and a portion to preserve the divergence distribution. An output of the combiner is coupled to a divergence-preserving fiber, which preserves a combined divergence distribution guided by the divergence-preserving fiber. An output GRIN lens maps the combined divergence distribution to an output transverse spatial intensity distribution defining a composite beam shape of an output beam, the output transverse spatial intensity distribution representing a superposition of individual channel output beams.

Abstract: A laser processing system has a laser source and a divergence-tuning beam characteristic conditioner configured to, in response to a control input, repetitively change a variable divergence laser beam between a first divergence and a second divergence that is different from the first divergence. The system also includes a process head having a collimating lens and a focusing lens. And the system includes a delivery fiber coupled to the divergence-tuning beam characteristic conditioner for guiding the variable divergence laser beam and launching it to the process head. The collimating lens is configured to receive the variable divergence laser beam and direct it as an intermediate beam to the focusing lens to focus the intermediate beam toward the workpiece at a first depth corresponding to the first divergence and at a second depth corresponding to the second divergence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, apparatus, and systems for a multi-operation optical beam delivery device having a laser source to generate the optical beam. A beam characteristic conditioner that, in response to a control input indicating a change between the different laser process operations, controllably modifies the beam characteristics for a corresponding laser process operation of the different laser process operations. A delivery fiber has an input end coupled to the beam characteristic conditioner and an output end coupled to a process head for performing the corresponding laser process operation.

Abstract: An all-fiber optical beam switch mechanism includes a first length of fiber through which an incident optical beam having beam characteristics propagates along a first propagation path and which has a first refractive index profile (RIP). The first RIP enables, in response to an applied perturbation, modification of the optical beam to form an adjusted optical beam that is movable to propagate along a second propagation path. A second length of fiber is coupled to the first length of fiber and formed with multiple spaced-apart, non-coaxial confinement cores. A selected state of applied perturbation moves the second propagation path of the adjusted optical beam to a position of a selected corresponding one of the multiple confinement cores to confine and thereby direct the adjusted optical beam to a corresponding beam output location at the output of the second length of fiber.

Abstract: An all-fiber optical beam switch mechanism includes a first length of fiber through which an incident optical beam having beam characteristics propagates along a first propagation path and which has a first refractive index profile (RIP). The first RIP enables, in response to an applied perturbation, modification of the optical beam to form an adjusted optical beam that is movable to propagate along a second propagation path. A second length of fiber is coupled to the first length of fiber and formed with multiple spaced-apart, non-coaxial confinement cores. A selected state of applied perturbation moves the second propagation path of the adjusted optical beam to a position of a selected corresponding one of the multiple confinement cores to confine and thereby direct the adjusted optical beam to a corresponding beam output location at the output of the second length of fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, apparatus, and systems for a multi-operation optical beam delivery device having a laser source to generate the optical beam. A beam characteristic conditioner that, in response to a control input indicating a change between the different laser process operations, controllably modifies the beam characteristics for a corresponding laser process operation of the different laser process operations. A delivery fiber has an input end coupled to the beam characteristic conditioner and an output end coupled to a process head for performing the corresponding laser process operation.