Beam delivery by adaptive optics for material processing applications using high-power CO2 lasers

Heinz Haferkamp; Dirk Seebaum

doi:10.1117/12.184718

7 September 1994 Beam delivery by adaptive optics for material processing applications using high-power CO₂ lasers

Heinz Haferkamp, Dirk Seebaum

Proceedings Volume 2207, Laser Materials Processing: Industrial and Microelectronics Applications; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184718
Event: Europto High Power Lasers and Laser Applications V, 1994, Vienna, Austria

Abstract

The use of high power CO₂ lasers for various applications in material and production technologies has increasingly grown, and new applications are on their way to being used in industry. Due to varying beam path lengths, proper beam delivery is essential to obtain constant working conditions when using machines with moving beam guidance. The focussing characteristics of divergent laser beams change with the distance between laser source and processing head. To keep the energy distribution on the workpiece surface on the same level while working with flying optics, the use of deformable mirror systems has proven to be a suitable solution. In this case, a newly-developed system is brought into the beam guidance system to keep the focal spot diameter constant. As far as applications are concerned, where the distance of the focal spot to the surface of the workpiece is of major interest for the performance of the process, these optical devices are also used to tune the focal length. For example collision danger or dynamic limitations of the handling system may mean that the focal spot has to follow the surface outline without keeping the distance between processing head and material surface constant. Besides cutting and shaping by material removal applications, welding is a kind of application where a focus shift without moving the processing head may be advantageous, especially for 3D processes. Therefore, another deformable mirror is installed near to the focusing optics. Investigations have been carried out on the location of the deformable mirror close to the laser source (RS 3000 RF), and inside the processing head.

Citation Download Citation

Heinz Haferkamp and Dirk Seebaum "Beam delivery by adaptive optics for material processing applications using high-power CO₂ lasers", Proc. SPIE 2207, Laser Materials Processing: Industrial and Microelectronics Applications, (7 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184718

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available