# US 11,906,752 B2 · Optical element arrangements for varying beam parameter product in laser delivery systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,752 B2 - Document ID: US11906752B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/683,542 - Filed: 2022-03-01 - Published: 2022-06-16 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-23 - Assignees: Panasonic Connect North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America - Applicants: Wang-Long Zhou; Parviz Tayebati; Bien Chann; Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo - Inventors: Wang-Long Zhou; Parviz Tayebati; Bien Chann; Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906752B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0927: {Systems for changing the beam intensity distribution, e.g. Gaussian to top-hat} - G02B 7/005: {Motorised alignment} - G02B 27/1086: {operating by diffraction only} - B23K 26/064: by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms - G02B 19/0057: {in the form of a laser diode array, e.g. laser diode bar (semiconductor laser arrays with beam combining arrangement H01S5/4012)} - G02B 27/0944: {Diffractive optical elements, e.g. gratings, holograms (gratings per se G02B5/18; holograms used as optical elements per se G02B5/32)} - G02B 27/0961: {Lens arrays (lens arrays per se G02B3/0006)} - G02B 27/30: Collimators - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract In various embodiments, laser delivery systems feature one or more optical elements for receiving a radiation beam and altering the spatial power distribution thereof, a lens manipulation system for changing a position of at least one optical element within the path of the radiation beam, and a controller for controlling the lens manipulation system to achieve a target altered spatial power distribution on a workpiece. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A laser delivery 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 triplet collimator for increasing a divergence of the radiation beam; disposed optically downstream of the triplet collimator, a focusing lens for receiving the radiation beam and focusing the beam toward the workpiece; disposed optically upstream of the focusing lens, at least one optical element for receiving the radiation beam and altering the spatial power distribution thereof; a lens manipulation system for changing a position of the at least one optical element within a path of the radiation beam; and a controller for controlling the lens manipulation system to achieve a target altered spatial power distribution on the workpiece, wherein the triplet collimator comprises (i) a first plano-concave lens, (ii) a second meniscus lens, and (iii) a third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first plano-concave lens is disposed optically upstream of the second meniscus lens, and the second meniscus lens is disposed optically upstream of the third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical element is disposed (i) optically downstream of the first plano-concave lens and (ii) optically upstream of the second meniscus lens and the third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a lens having (i) a first surface having the shape of a truncated sphere, and (ii) opposite the first surface, a second surface that is substantially planar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a meniscus lens. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the beam source comprises: a beam emitter emitting a plurality of discrete beams; focusing optics for focusing the plurality of beams onto a dispersive element; a dispersive element for receiving and dispersing the received focused beams; and a partially reflective output coupler positioned to receive the dispersed beams, transmit a portion of the dispersed beams therethrough as the radiation beam, and reflect a second portion of the dispersed beams back toward the dispersive element, wherein the radiation beam is composed of multiple wavelengths. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the lens manipulation system based on one or properties of the workpiece. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more properties of the workpiece comprise at least one of a distance to the workpiece, a composition of the workpiece, or a topography of the workpiece. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to, with the radiation beam, at least one of weld the workpiece, cut the workpiece, or drill the workpiece. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the triplet collimator and the at least one optical element are disposed within a processing head. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, further comprising an optical fiber disposed between the beam source and the processing head. ### Claim 13 A laser delivery 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 triplet collimator for increasing a divergence of the radiation beam; disposed optically downstream of the triplet collimator, a focusing lens for receiving the radiation beam and focusing the beam toward the workpiece; disposed optically upstream of the focusing lens, at least one optical element for receiving the radiation beam and altering the spatial power distribution thereof; a lens manipulation system for changing a position of the at least one optical element within a path of the radiation beam; and a controller for controlling the lens manipulation system to achieve a target altered spatial power distribution on the workpiece, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a lens having (i) a first surface having the shape of a truncated cone, and (ii) opposite the first surface, a second surface that is substantially planar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the triplet collimator comprises (i) a first plano-concave lens, (ii) a second meniscus lens, and (iii) a third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the first plano-concave lens is disposed optically upstream of the second meniscus lens, and the second meniscus lens is disposed optically upstream of the third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein at least one said optical element is disposed (i) optically downstream of the first plano-concave lens and (ii) optically upstream of the second meniscus lens and the third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the beam source comprises: a beam emitter emitting a plurality of discrete beams; focusing optics for focusing the plurality of beams onto a dispersive element; a dispersive element for receiving and dispersing the received focused beams; and a partially reflective output coupler positioned to receive the dispersed beams, transmit a portion of the dispersed beams therethrough as the radiation beam, and reflect a second portion of the dispersed beams back toward the dispersive element, wherein the radiation beam is composed of multiple wavelengths. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to control the lens manipulation system based on one or properties of the workpiece. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more properties of the workpiece comprise at least one of a distance to the workpiece, a composition of the workpiece, or a topography of the workpiece. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to, with the radiation beam, at least one of weld the workpiece, cut the workpiece, or drill the workpiece. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the triplet collimator and the at least one optical element are disposed within a processing head. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, further comprising an optical fiber disposed between the beam source and the processing head. ### Claim 24 A laser delivery 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 triplet collimator for increasing a divergence of the radiation beam; disposed optically downstream of the triplet collimator, a focusing lens for receiving the radiation beam and focusing the beam toward the workpiece; disposed optically upstream of the focusing lens, at least one optical element for receiving the radiation beam and altering the spatial power distribution thereof; a lens manipulation system for changing a position of the at least one optical element within a path of the radiation beam; and a controller for controlling the lens manipulation system to achieve a target altered spatial power distribution on the workpiece, wherein the lens manipulation system is configured to position at least one said optical element transversely off-center within the path of the radiation beam. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the triplet collimator comprises (i) a first plano-concave lens, (ii) a second meniscus lens, and (iii) a third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein the first plano-concave lens is disposed optically upstream of the second meniscus lens, and the second meniscus lens is disposed optically upstream of the third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein at least one said optical element is disposed (i) optically downstream of the first plano-concave lens and (ii) optically upstream of the second meniscus lens and the third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a lens having (i) a first surface having the shape of a truncated cone, and (ii) opposite the first surface, a second surface that is substantially planar. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a lens having (i) a first surface having the shape of a truncated sphere, and (ii) opposite the first surface, a second surface that is substantially planar. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a meniscus lens. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the beam source comprises: a beam emitter emitting a plurality of discrete beams; focusing optics for focusing the plurality of beams onto a dispersive element; a dispersive element for receiving and dispersing the received focused beams; and a partially reflective output coupler positioned to receive the dispersed beams, transmit a portion of the dispersed beams therethrough as the radiation beam, and reflect a second portion of the dispersed beams back toward the dispersive element, wherein the radiation beam is composed of multiple wavelengths. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The system of claim 31, wherein the dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the controller is configured to control the lens manipulation system based on one or properties of the workpiece. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The system of claim 33, wherein the one or more properties of the workpiece comprise at least one of a distance to the workpiece, a composition of the workpiece, or a topography of the workpiece. ### Claim 35 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the controller is configured to, with the radiation beam, at least one of weld the workpiece, cut the workpiece, or drill the workpiece. ### Claim 36 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the triplet collimator and the at least one optical element are disposed within a processing head. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The system of claim 36, further comprising an optical fiber disposed between the beam source and the processing head. ### Claim 38 A laser delivery 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 triplet collimator for increasing a divergence of the radiation beam; disposed optically downstream of the triplet collimator, a focusing lens for receiving the radiation beam and focusing the beam toward the workpiece; disposed optically upstream of the focusing lens, at least one optical element for receiving the radiation beam and altering the spatial power distribution thereof, the at least one optical element comprising a first optical element and a second optical element; a lens manipulation system configured to change at least one of (i) a position of the first optical element within a path of the radiation beam, (ii) a position of the second optical element within the path of the radiation beam, or (iii) a distance between the first and second optical elements; and a controller for controlling the lens manipulation system to achieve a target altered spatial power distribution on the workpiece. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the triplet collimator comprises (i) a first plano-concave lens, (ii) a second meniscus lens, and (iii) a third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The system of claim 39, wherein the first plano-concave lens is disposed optically upstream of the second meniscus lens, and the second meniscus lens is disposed optically upstream of the third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) The system of claim 39, wherein at least one of the first optical element or the second optical element is disposed (i) optically downstream of the first plano-concave lens and (ii) optically upstream of the second meniscus lens and the third plano-convex lens. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the lens manipulation system is configured to position at least one of the first optical element or the second optical element transversely off-center within the path of the radiation beam. ### Claim 43 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein (i) the first optical element comprises a double-concave axicon lens and (ii) the second optical element comprises a double-convex axicon lens. ### Claim 44 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the lens manipulation system is configured to change the distance between the first and second optical elements within the range of approximately 0 mm to approximately 20 mm. ### Claim 45 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein: the first optical element comprises a lens having (i) a first surface that is substantially planar, and (ii) opposite the first surface, a second surface having (a) a first portion that is convexly curved and (b) a second portion that is substantially planar; and the second optical element comprises a lens having (i) a first surface that is substantially planar, and (ii) opposite the first surface, a second surface having (a) a first portion that is concavely curved and (b) a second portion that is substantially planar. ### Claim 46 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the beam source comprises: a beam emitter emitting a plurality of discrete beams; focusing optics for focusing the plurality of beams onto a dispersive element; a dispersive element for receiving and dispersing the received focused beams; and a partially reflective output coupler positioned to receive the dispersed beams, transmit a portion of the dispersed beams therethrough as the radiation beam, and reflect a second portion of the dispersed beams back toward the dispersive element, wherein the radiation beam is composed of multiple wavelengths. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The system of claim 46, wherein the dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating. ### Claim 48 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the controller is configured to control the lens manipulation system based on one or properties of the workpiece. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The system of claim 48, wherein the one or more properties of the workpiece comprise at least one of a distance to the workpiece, a composition of the workpiece, or a topography of the workpiece. ### Claim 50 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the controller is configured to, with the radiation beam, at least one of weld the workpiece, cut the workpiece, or drill the workpiece. ### Claim 51 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the triplet collimator and at least one of the first optical element or the second optical element are disposed within a processing head. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The system of claim 51, further comprising an optical fiber disposed between the beam source and the processing head.