Laser-speckle reduction technology boasts minimal size and low cost

Numerous laser-speckle reduction (LSR) technologies have been developed in recent years using a variety of optoelectronic techniques that typically involve some type of vibration mechanism and diffuser optics. A new LSR technology from Optotune (Zurich, Switzerland) is also based on a moving diffuser but offers true miniaturization and much lower cost compared to other commercially available options.

The Optotune LSR uses a dynamic process: The speckle pattern is moved at a sufficiently high frequency and amplitude such that the detection system integrates the speckle pattern as a uniform light distribution. A moving diffuser is bonded to an electroactive polymer membrane that includes two electrodes in the x-y plane. By pulsing the x and y electrodes with a π/2 phase difference, a circular motion is obtained. The moving frequency is optimal when reaching the resonance frequency of the system to provide the highest speckle reduction. Optotune says the entire speckle reducer can be made as small as 6 × 9 × 1 mm³, depending on the required aperture. And using batch processing, it estimates the LSR cost at only a couple of dollars in high volume.

Contact Mark Blum at [email protected].