Adaptive optics enter materials-processing arena

Dec. 1, 2010
Beam shaping is commonly applied in laser micromachining or materials-processing applications to modify the Gaussian distribution from a laser to a tophat or other profile depending on the task at hand.
Beam shaping is commonly applied in laser micromachining or materials-processing applications to modify the Gaussian distribution from a laser to a tophat or other profile depending on the task at hand. But more and more, adaptive-optic (AO) elements such as piezoelectric deformable mirrors and liquid-crystal spatial light modulators (SLMs) are being used to rapidly modify the mode shape of a laser beam at up to kilohertz speeds.

Liquid-crystal-based SLMs have high resolution and can produce complex and arbitrary beam shapes. They do, however, have a lower power threshold (typically tolerating a few watts per square centimeter) and slower modulation capabilities—tens of hertz versus kilohertz—than deformable mirrors. Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, Scotland) researchers have demonstrated increased power handling of such a device and have applied it to laser-marking applications using a 14.7 W nanosecond laser. Using a 19.5 × 14.6 mm Holoeye (Berlin-Adlershof, Germany) reflective SLM with 1024 × 768 pixels at 75 Hz, complex shapes can be marked on stainless-steel and other surfaces. Image quality was improved by modifying the phase profile during the marking process.

Contact Jonathan Parry at[email protected].

More Laser Focus World Current Issue Articles
More Laser Focus World Archives Issue Articles

Sponsored Recommendations

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) electrode manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
Learn how an industry-leading Brain Computer Interface Electrode (BCI) manufacturer used precision laser micromachining to produce high-density neural microelectrode arrays.

Electro-Optic Sensor and System Performance Verification with Motion Systems

Jan. 31, 2025
To learn how to use motion control equipment for electro-optic sensor testing, click here to read our whitepaper!

How nanopositioning helped achieve fusion ignition

Jan. 31, 2025
In December 2022, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved fusion ignition. Learn how Aerotech nanopositioning contributed to this...

Nanometer Scale Industrial Automation for Optical Device Manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
In optical device manufacturing, choosing automation technologies at the R&D level that are also suitable for production environments is critical to bringing new devices to market...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!