Fiber output coupler with beam shaping optics for laser materials processing system
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorAngel L. Ortiz, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupler apparatus for supporting an output end of an optical fiber is described. In one embodiment, the coupler apparatus includes a first lens for collimating as a first collimated beam a portion of a high power laser beam emitted from the output end of the fiber. The beam, as it is transmitted through the coupler, is expanded and shaped into a materials processing beam portion which is focused onto a workpiece surface.
Claims40
A coupler apparatus for supporting an output end of an optical fiber, said coupler apparatus comprising:
- first lens means for collimating as a first collimated beam portion a high power laser beam emitted from the output end of the fiber;
- second lens means for expanding the first collimated beam portion into a second collimated beam portion having a larger diameter than the first collimated beam portion;
- third lens means for shaping the second collimated beam portion into a shaped materials processing beam portion;
- and
- fourth lens means for focusing onto a surface the shaped materials processing beam portion.
A coupler apparatus for supporting an output end of an optical fiber, said coupler apparatus comprising:
- a first plano-convex lens for intercepting a first diverging beam portion emitted from the output end of the fiber and for providing a first collimated beam portion;
- a plano-concave lens for intercepting the first collimated beam portion and for providing a second diverging beam portion;
- a second plano-convex lens for intercepting the second diverging beam portion and for providing a second collimated beam portion;
- a diverging axicon for intercepting the second collimated beam portion and for providing a diverging annulus-shaped beam portion;
- a converging axicon for intercepting the diverging annulus-shaped beam portion and for providing a substantially uniform annulus-shaped beam portion;
- and
- a third plano-convex lens for intercepting the substantially uniform annulus-shaped beam portion and for focusing a beam portion onto a workpiece.
A coupler apparatus for supporting an output end of an optical fiber, said coupler apparatus comprising:
- a first plano-convex lens for intercepting a first diverging beam portion emitted from the output end of the fiber and for providing a first collimated beam portion;
- a plano-concave lens for intercepting the first collimated beam portion and for providing a second diverging beam portion;
- a second plano-convex lens for intercepting the second diverging beam portion and for providing a second collimated beam portion;
- a diverging bi-prism for intercepting the second collimated beam portion and for providing two split beams;
- and
- a third plano-convex lens for intercepting the split beams and for focusing beam portions onto workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.