Abstract: A baffled optical waveguide has a body shaped to partially or wholly surround a part or parts being processed by being illuminated with light. The body has optical baffles therein that define light channels through which the light travels as it transits the baffled optical waveguide. Outlets of the light channels are adjacent an opening in the body which receives an area or areas of the parts or parts being processed. Each light channel homogenizes the light as it transits through that light channel. The optical baffles that define the light channels keep light from diverging in the baffled optical waveguide as it transits through the light channels. In an aspect, a part (or parts) is processed by illuminating it with light via the baffled optical waveguide.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus having a laser source outputting a laser beam and a light transmitting device being positioned downstream from the laser source. The light transmitting device transmits the laser beam therethrough. The laser beam exiting the light transmitting device has at least a zero order light lobe and a first order light lobe, wherein the zero order light lobe and the first order light lobe together defining an initial beam width. An optical device positioned downstream from the light transmitting device converges the first order light lobe with the zero order light lobe to define a final beam width that is narrower than the initial beam width.