Systems and methods for laser systems with variable beam parameter product utilizing thermo-optic effects
AssigneePanasonic Connect North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
InventorsParviz Tayebati, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo, Bien Chann, Dat Nguyen, Michael Deutsch
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Abstract
In various embodiments, a beam-parameter adjustment system and focusing system alters a spatial power distribution of a radiation beam, via thermo-optic effects, before the beam is coupled into an optical fiber or delivered to a workpiece.
Claims21
A beam-parameter adjustment system and focusing system for receiving and altering a spatial power distribution of a radiation beam from a beam source and focusing the radiation with the altered spatial power distribution onto a workpiece, the system comprising:
- a first thermo-optic element for receiving the radiation beam and propagating the radiation beam toward the workpiece, wherein (i) the first thermo-optic element is configured to be movable into and out of a beam path between the beam source and the workpiece, and (ii) when the first thermo-optic element is out of the beam path, the radiation beam propagates to the workpiece without being received by the first thermo-optic element;
- a heat source for heating one or more portions of the first thermo-optic element to alter refractive indices thereof, thereby forming an optical distortion pattern within the first thermo-optic element;
- focusing optics for receiving the radiation beam and focusing the radiation beam on the workpiece;
- and
- a controller for controlling the first thermo-optic element and/or the heat source to selectively achieve (i) a first target altered spatial power distribution on the workpiece, the first target altered spatial power distribution resulting at least in part from interaction between the radiation beam and the optical distortion pattern within the first thermo-optic element and (ii) a target unaltered spatial power distribution on the workpiece, the target unaltered spatial power distribution being unaltered by the first thermo-optic element.
A method of manipulating a radiation beam from a beam source, the method comprising:
- positioning a first thermo-optic element within a beam path of the radiation beam;
- applying heat to one or more portions of the first thermo-optic element, thereby forming an optical distortion pattern within the first thermo-optic element;
- receiving the radiation beam with the first thermo-optic element, a spatial power distribution of the radiation beam being altered in response to the optical distortion pattern within the first thermo-optic element to form a first altered spatial power distribution;
- focusing the radiation beam with the first altered spatial power distribution toward a first workpiece;
- positioning the first thermo-optic element outside of the beam path of the radiation beam, the spatial power distribution of the radiation beam being unaltered by the first thermo-optic element;
- and
- focusing the radiation beam with the unaltered spatial power distribution toward a second workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.