The ability of a high-power fibre-laser system to perform its function (for example, welding, cutting, surface modification, etc.), is almost exclusively dependent on the quality of the focused spot. There are a number of factors that can conspire to degrade the beam quality of the laser reducing the performance, and thus the efficiency, of a process.
Armstrong Optical Ltd is addressing these problems with the introduction of the Laser Beam Waist Analyser from Haas Laser Technologies of the US.
This system is able to provide an accurate profile of the beam as it passes through focus and at near and far field providing essential wave-front diagnostics. The profiling data is obtained using a novel technique which has no moving parts, works in real-time and is small enough to be placed in various positions within the laser system itself. Different versions of the Laser Beam Waist Analyser are available for different wavelength lasers.
The image indicates the importance of knowing both sets of data: the far field image shows a reasonable beam profile whereas the through-focus image shows severe astigmatism.
The Laser Beam Waist Analyser is the latest of a series of innovative modules from Haas Laser Technologies for the high power laser user that are designed to optimise laser process monitoring and control.
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