US 2010/0166029 A1 · Apparatus for selectively distributing energy from a laser beam

Abstract

An assembly for distributing laser energy is provided that is formed using a compact rigid housing with a sealed beam path contained therein. The assembly employs a monolithic housing with modular collimator and mirror switching components installed therein to reduce its size while maintaining a sealed beam path thereby reducing the possibility of contamination of the beam path. Other than the optics and mirror, there are no elements of the distribution device contained within the beam path. In one embodiment, the assembly distributes incoming energy from a single source to one or more outputs. In another embodiment, the assembly operates as a beam combiner to direct energy from one or more sources to a single output.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for selectively distributing energy from at least one laser beam comprising:

a housing having a front, a rear, two opposing sides and a beam cavity defined within the housing;
at least one input port on said front extending from an exterior of said housing to the beam cavity;
at least one output port on one of said opposing sides extending from the exterior of said housing to the beam cavity;
and
at least one control port on the side opposite said at least one output port, said control port including a mirror disposed within the beam cavity, wherein the mirror is movable between a first in-beam position to direct laser energy entering the apparatus through said at least one input port to said at least one output port and a second out-of-beam position wherein the laser energy is unaffected by said mirror.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for selectively distributing energy from a laser beam

Life of this patent

Apparatus for selectively distributing energy from a laser beam

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20