Laser diode bar integrator/reimager

Abstract

A beam integrator system is disclosed, which integrates multiple beams into fewer beams of increased intensity by using a combination of optical elements and lenses.

Description

CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a utility application, which is a conversion of provisional 60 / 427,571, filed 20 Nov. 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for combining and integrating the multiple laser beams of a laser diode bar into fewer beam(s). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Since the advent of low-cost laser diodes, their inherently low power densities have limited the usefulness of these devices. Various combinations of lenses and other optical devices have been used to combine multiple laser diode beams into fewer beams (e.g., a single beam) to increase power density. More commonly, multiple laser diodes or laser diode bar arrays simply serve as optical pumps for solid state lasers, rather than using their light directly in the laser machining or other high power laser process. [0004] Using the laser diode light directly in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides an optical system that can combine multiple laser beams from a laser diode bar array into fewer beams with greater power density. It also removes non-emitting space between the emitters to create a more uniform intensity profile. The system includes a means of optically combining individual emitters to increase the average radiance. Additionally, the invention includes a lens or array of lenses to reshape the incident laser beam profile in the fast and slow axis directions into desired profiles. The angle rotation allows for better balancing of optical invariants in the slow and fast axis directions, making it easier to \"circularize\" the image for coupling into fibers or to increase the irradiance for laser machining applications. Overall, the invention reduces the source size to achieve greater collimation and energy density."

Problems solved by technology

Since the advent of low-cost laser diodes, their inherently low power densities have limited the usefulness of these devices.

Using the laser diode light directly in laser machining and product marking could increase the efficiency and reduce the cost for such systems, but has proven to be a challenge due to the low average brightness or radiance of diode bar arrays.

Due to the soldering process, the emitter spacing is not nearly as uniform as that of FIG. 1, and thus is not conductive to coupling with microlens arrays for beam integration.

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