Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser beam splitting and shaping is disclosed wherein two beam splitters are used to split one input laser beam into four beams in a generally rectangular pattern. Half-wave plates are used to adjust the power of the input laser beam between v four laser beams. A variable power optical telescope comprising negative and positive lens pairs for the four laser beams is used to adjust the divergence of the four beams, and pointing control prism wedges are used to point or steer the four beams to he parallel to each other and to adjust their relative spacing to create a flat top profile.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed in general to optical systems in which a laser beam is injected into the end of an optical fiber and, more specifically, to laser materials processing systems in which a high power laser beam is injected into the fiber input end for transmission to a remote end of the fiber where materials processing is performed with the emitted beam. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, an injection chamber is used to isolate the optical fiber injection end from the surrounding air by enclosing the optical fiber injection end, and providing a gas purge to reduce the air concentration and to keep dust from entering or settling on the optical fiber injection end. This preferred embodiment prevents the ionization of the air surrounding the fiber injection end, thereby preventing the damaging effects of ionization which often occur during optical fiber injection processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel apparatus and method capable of aligning an optical fiber for injection with a high power laser beam. More particularly, this apparatus and method use a camera coupled to a monitor to align the fiber tip coincident with the laser beam focus, without damaging the fiber jacket or cladding.