Abstract: A handheld laser system. In certain examples the handheld laser system includes a laser source emitting laser light at a wavelength for performing a material processing operation on a workpiece material with a laser beam of the emitted laser light, a plasma sensor configured to detect plasma emitted from the workpiece material during a material processing operation, and a controller coupled to the plasma sensor and configured to: compare an optical intensity value obtained by the plasma sensor to a threshold value at a time when a predetermined time period has elapsed after the material processing operation has commenced, and produce a control command based on the comparison.

Abstract: A beam-shaper for transforming a MM beam with the flattop intensity distribution profile includes an end block which is fused to a downstream end of a fiber outputting the MM beam along a path within a laser head. The beam-shaper further has a collimator mounted to the laser head downstream from the end block. The collimated MM beam is then focused on the working zone with a beam waist characterized by a Gaussian intensity profile. The Gaussian region may be provided in the vicinity of the beam waist by positioning the collimator so that the Gaussian region of the MM flattop beam is located inside the end block and in the focal plane of the collimator. Alternatively, the Gaussian region may be provided within the waist by using a diffractive optical element which transforms the flattop distribution profile into a donut-shaped profile.

Abstract: Laser welding of a first metal substrate having a first planar surface and a second planar surface disposed opposite the first planar surface to a second metal substrate is performed by placing an end face of the second metal substrate proximate to the first planar surface. An input laser beam from a fiber laser is generated, and a beam delivery system is provided that is configured to receive the input laser beam and generate an output laser beam having a beam spot that moves in a predetermined pattern along a first and a second axes to irradiate a target area on the second planar surface such that the target area is positioned over an intersection region of the first planar surface where the end face is positioned proximate to the first planar surface.

Abstract: Laser welding of a first metal substrate having a first planar surface and a second planar surface disposed opposite the first planar surface to a second metal substrate is performed by placing an end face of the second metal substrate proximate to the first planar surface. An input laser beam from a fiber laser is generated, and a beam delivery system is provided that is configured to receive the input laser beam and generate an output laser beam having a beam spot that moves in a predetermined pattern along a first and a second axes to irradiate a target area on the second planar surface such that the target area is positioned over an intersection region of the first planar surface where the end face is positioned proximate to the first planar surface.