Laser systems and optical devices for laser beam shaping
AssigneeIDEX Health & Science LLC
InventorsDavid E. Hargis, John O'Shaughnessy, Jeff Bendick, Jeff Ly, William Butterfield
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Abstract
Various claims of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some claims, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. Various claims of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some claims, the optical system includes a beam shaping element configured to generate an illumination profile having a flat top.
Claims26
An illumination system, comprising:
- one or more lasers configured to output light having at least one wavelength;
- one or more beam combiners each aligned to receive light from a corresponding one of the one or more lasers, the one or more beam combiners configured to direct the received light along a path;
- a focusing optical element configured to receive light from the one or more beam combiners and focus the received light towards a focus point;
- a diffuser positioned spaced apart from the focus point to receive defocused light from the focusing element, the diffuser configured to diffuse the received defocused light and output diffused light;
- an actuator coupled to the diffuser and configured to vibrate the diffuser;
- a collimating optical element configured to receive light output by the diffuser and configured to substantially collimate the light;
- and
- a microlens array configured to receive light output by the diffuser and configured to alter the distribution of light.
An illumination system comprising:
- one or more light sources;
- a focusing optical element configured to receive light emitted by the one or more light sources and focus the received light towards a focus point;
- and
- a dynamic diffuser positioned to receive light propagating through the focusing optical element and to vibrate to diffuse the received light, the position of the dynamic diffuser being at a location other than the focus point;
- wherein the focusing optical element comprises an aspherical lens.
A method of illuminating a target, the method comprising:
- receiving light from one or more lasers at one or more beam combiners, each of the one or more beam combiners aligned to receive light from a corresponding one of the one or more lasers;
- combining, by the one or more beam combiners, the received light and directing the received light along a common path;
- receiving the light propagating along the common path at a focusing optical element and focusing the light towards a focus point;
- receiving the focused light at a diffuser positioned at a location spaced apart from the focus point;
- diffusing the light, at least in part by vibrating the diffuser, and outputting diffused light;
- receiving light output by the diffuser at a collimating optical element and output collimates light;
- and
- receiving the collimated light at a microlens array, and propagate light from the microlens array to a target.
An illumination system comprising:
- one or more light sources;
- a focusing optical element configured to receive light emitted by the one or more light sources and focus the received light towards a focus point;
- and
- a dynamic diffuser positioned to receive light focused by the focusing optical element and configured to vibrate to diffuse the received light, the position of the dynamic diffuser being at a location other than the focus point;
- wherein light being focused by the focusing optical element forms a spot of light on the dynamic diffuser that is generally elliptical in shape, having a major axis and a minor axis, and wherein the dynamic diffuser is configured to move in at least one dimension in substantially the same direction as the major axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.