Abstract: A system and method for profiling a focused laser beam of a galvanometer scanner which includes an attenuation optic, wherein the attenuation optic includes a first meniscus lens to face the focused laser beam source, wherein the first meniscus lens is tilted at a fixed angle of incidence relative to an optical axis of the focused laser beam and a second meniscus lens between the first meniscus lens and a pixelated detector, wherein the second meniscus lens is tilted at substantially the same fixed angle of incidence relative to the optical axis of the focused laser beam as the first meniscus lens and is rotated about 90° relative to the first meniscus lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving measurements of a laser beam in a laser imaging system. The method includes, positioning an apodizing filter having a transmission profile that approaches a maximum at its edges between a pixelated detector and a laser source. The method further includes, emitting a laser beam from the laser source onto the apodizing filter and transmitting a portion of the laser incident upon the apodizing filter to the pixelated detector in accordance with the transmission profile of the apodizing filter such that the signal-to-noise ratio of the portion of the laser incident upon the pixelated detector is improved. The apodizing filter may be selected from a linear apodizing filter, a radial apodizing filter and a prism apodizing filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing ghost images in a laser imaging system. The method includes, positioning an absorptive neutral density filter, having an optical density (OD) of at least ?1, between a pixelated detector and a laser source. The method further includes, emitting a laser beam, from the laser source onto the absorptive neutral density filter, transmitting a portion of the light incident upon a first surface of the absorptive neutral density filter to a second surface of the absorptive neutral density filter, reflecting a portion of light incident upon the second surface of the absorptive neutral density filter and absorbing the reflected portion of light, by the absorptive neutral density filter, to reduce ghost images at the pixelated detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving measurements of a laser beam in a laser imaging system. The method includes, positioning an apodizing filter having a transmission profile that approaches zero at its edges between a pixelated detector and a laser source. The method further includes, emitting a laser beam from the laser source onto the apodizing filter and transmitting a portion of the laser incident upon the apodizing filter to the pixelated detector in accordance with the transmission profile of the apodizing filter such that the signal-to-noise ratio of the portion of the laser incident upon the pixelated detector is improved. The apodizing filter may be selected from a linear apodizing filter, a radial apodizing filter and a prism apodizing filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing ghost images in a laser imaging system. The method includes, positioning an absorptive neutral density filter, having an optical density (OD) of at least ?1, between a pixelated detector and a laser source. The method further includes, emitting a laser beam, from the laser source onto the absorptive neutral density filter, transmitting a portion of the light incident upon a first surface of the absorptive neutral density filter to a second surface of the absorptive neutral density filter, reflecting a portion of light incident upon the second surface of the absorptive neutral density filter and absorbing the reflected portion of light, by the absorptive neutral density filter, to reduce ghost images at the pixelated detector.

Abstract: A thin-film scribing apparatus employing an optical device converts a low M2, Gaussian or pseudo-Gaussian beam into an inverted Gaussian beam. The all refractive optical device is such that it is not susceptible to either beam size or angular variations and exhibits very little loss of energy for the transformation process. The output can be configured for either single or dual-axis operation where the geometric shape of the beam is rectangular or square with steep edge intensity. The resulting rectangular beam requires less beam overlap and has very little shoulder in the intensity profile, providing high uniformity scribe features with greatly improved processing speeds.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: A thin-film scribing apparatus employing an optical device converts a low M2, Gaussian or pseudo-Gaussian beam into an inverted Gaussian beam. The all refractive optical device is such that it is not susceptible to either beam size or angular variations and exhibits very little loss of energy for the transformation process. The output can be configured for either single or dual-axis operation where the geometric shape of the beam is rectangular or square with steep edge intensity. The resulting rectangular beam requires less beam overlap and has very little shoulder in the intensity profile, providing high uniformity scribe features with greatly improved processing speeds.

Abstract: An apparatus having a linear structure that enables real time measurement of the spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M2 values of a laser beam generated by a low power laser beam. A laser beam source transmits a laser beam through a focusing lens, a Fabry-Perot resonator, a pair of polarizers and a camera that detects spots of light that pass through the first and second mirrors and the polarizers. The resonator includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to the laser beam. The polarizers are disposed at an opposite angle of incidence and are rotationally adjustable to enable intensity adjustment of the camera.

Abstract: An apparatus that enables real time measurement of the spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M2 values of a laser beam generated by a high power laser beam. The apparatus employs the optics used in a process application, including a focus lens and cover glass. An attenuation module includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to the laser beam. A beam dump is positioned out of a path of travel of the laser beam and in receiving relation to light reflected by the first and second mirrors. A camera detects spots of light that pass through the first and second mirrors. A high power attenuator formed by a highly reflective mirror pair is positioned between the source and the attenuation module. A second embodiment includes a single mirror plate having highly reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A method for thermally compensating lenses in an optical system for high power lasers includes the steps of providing a fused silica lens to collimate a high power laser beam and positioning that lens in collimating relation to the laser beam. A focusing lens assembly is provided to focus the collimated laser beam and is positioned in focusing relation to the collimated laser beam. At least one lens having a negative dn/dT to offset a heat-induced change in index of refraction of the fused silica lens is included as a part of the collimating lens assembly and as a part of the focusing lens assembly. The lens having a negative dn/dT is selected from a group of glasses having a negative dn/dT. The power of the lenses is balanced with an offsetting negative dn/dT so that the optical system maintains its focus over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus that enables real time measurement of the spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M2 values of a laser beam generated by a high power laser beam. The apparatus employs the optics used in a process application, including a focus lens and cover glass. An attenuation module includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to the laser beam. A beam dump is positioned out of a path of travel of the laser beam and in receiving relation to light reflected by the first and second mirrors. A camera detects spots of light that pass through the first and second mirrors. A high power attenuator formed by a highly reflective mirror pair is positioned between the source and the attenuation module. A second embodiment includes a single mirror plate having highly reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A method for thermally compensating lenses in an optical system for high power lasers includes the steps of providing a fused silica lens to collimate a high power laser beam and positioning that lens in collimating relation to the laser beam. A focusing lens assembly is provided to focus the collimated laser beam and is positioned in focusing relation to the collimated laser beam. At least one lens having a negative dn/dT to offset a heat-induced change in index of refraction of the fused silica lens is included as a part of the collimating lens assembly and as a part of the focusing lens assembly. The lens having a negative dn/dT is selected from a group of glasses having a negative dn/dT. The power of the lenses is balanced with an offsetting negative dn/dT so that the optical system maintains its focus over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus that enables real time measurement of the spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M2 values of a laser beam generated by a high power laser beam. The apparatus employs the optics used in a process application, including a focus lens and cover glass. An attenuation module includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to the laser beam. A beam dump is positioned out of a path of travel of the laser beam and in receiving relation to light reflected by the first and second mirrors. A camera detects spots of light that pass through the first and second mirrors. A high power attenuator formed by a highly reflective mirror pair is positioned between the source and the attenuation module. A second embodiment includes a single mirror plate having highly reflective surfaces.