Laser cutting apparatus
AssigneeFerranti Limited
InventorDavid J. Dyson
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Abstract
Laser cutting apparatus comprises a laser (20), means (24,25) for directing the output beam of the laser on to a workpiece (26), and means such as a quarter-wave plate (27) for producing circular polarization of the laser output beam. The laser may include within its optical cavity an element which produces stable linear polarization of the output beam. The quarter-wave plate (27) then covers the polarization into circular polarization.
Claims7
Laser cutting apparatus for cutting a workpiece along a predetermined line comprising a laser producing a continuous output beam while in operation, means for producing circular polarization of the laser output beam, and means for directing the circularly polarized laser output beam onto the workpiece whereby a cut of uniform section is produced in the workpiece in any direction of cut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.