Laser beam delivery system and method

Abstract

A laser beam transmission system includes a beam emitting device and a waveguide assembly. The beam emitting device includes an optical relay system, the optical relay system includes a beam splitting optical device, the beam splitting optical device is configured to make the laser beam input into the beam emitting device be split into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam, so that the first laser sub-beam is transmitted to a first area of ​​an input lens of the waveguide assembly, and the second laser sub-beam is transmitted to a second area of ​​the input lens. The waveguide assembly is configured to transmit the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam from the input lens to an output lens of the waveguide assembly, wherein the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam are transmitted from the waveguide assembly and form an output laser beam.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to laser beam delivery systems and beam splitting optics for laser beam delivery systems. Background Art

[0002] Laser material processing offers many advantages over conventional material processing, including high productivity, non-contact processing, improved quality, and high precision and maneuverability of the laser beam delivery point. Lasers are currently used for cutting, drilling, welding, brazing, surface annealing, alloying, hardening, and other applications. Optical fibers are often used to deliver high power and / or high intensity laser beams to a target. Summary of the invention

[0003] In some embodiments, a laser beam transmission system includes a beam emitting device, which includes an optical relay system; and a waveguide component, wherein: the optical relay system includes a beam splitting optical device, which is configured to: cause the laser beam input into the beam emitting device to be split into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam, cause the first laser sub-beam to be transmitted to a first region of an input lens of the waveguide component, and cause the second laser sub-beam to be transmitted to a second region of the input lens of the waveguide component; and the waveguide component is configured to transmit the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam from the input lens of the waveguide component to the output lens of the waveguide component via a waveguide of the waveguide component, wherein the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam are transmitted from the waveguide component and form an output laser beam.

[0004] In some embodiments, the beam emitting device includes a beam splitting optical device configured to: cause a laser beam input into the beam emitting device to be split into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam; cause the first laser sub-beam to be transmitted to a first region of an input lens of a waveguide component, wherein the first region is associated with a first lateral offset from an optical axis of the input lens of the waveguide component; and cause the second laser sub-beam to be transmitted to a second region of the input lens of the waveguide component, wherein the second region is associated with a second lateral offset from the optical axis of the input lens of the waveguide component.

[0005] In some embodiments, a method includes causing a laser beam of an input beam emitting device to be split into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam by a beam splitting optical device; transmitting the first laser sub-beam to a first region of an input lens of a waveguide component by the beam splitting optical device, wherein the first region is associated with a first lateral offset from an optical axis of the input lens of the waveguide component; and transmitting the second laser sub-beam to a second region of the input lens of the waveguide component by the beam splitting optical device, wherein the second region is associated with a second lateral offset from the optical axis of the input lens of the waveguide component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1A-1B is a schematic diagram of an example implementation associated with the laser beam delivery system described herein.

[0007] Figures 2A-2D is a diagram of example shapes of output laser beams described herein.

[0008] Figure 3 is a graph showing example intensity profiles of laser sub-beams of an input laser beam formed by the beam splitting optics described herein.

[0009] Figure 4 is a graph showing an example intensity profile of an output laser beam comprising a combination of sub-beams formed by the beam-splitting optics described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following detailed description of example embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0011] Conventional fiber-delivered laser material processing systems typically include: a laser (e.g., a fiber laser); an optical coupler unit (e.g., a switch box or shutter box); a processing fiber (also called a "delivery fiber") (e.g., in a reinforced fiber cable and pluggable on one or more ends of the processing fiber); and a processing head. The processing head is an optical assembly that includes a container for the processing fiber, optics for projecting laser power, and any accessories required for laser-based processing, such as an auxiliary gas port. Laser light is emitted from the laser and transmitted to the optical coupler unit (e.g., through free space or through a separate optical fiber). The optical coupler unit launches the laser light into the processing fiber, which transmits the laser light to the processing head. The processing head projects the laser light onto the workpiece to perform the processing task.

[0012] Such systems are used for many different process types, including cutting, drilling, welding, brazing, surface annealing, alloying, hardening and / or other applications, and for many different material types, thicknesses and geometries. The desired spot size, divergence and beam quality on the workpiece can vary greatly depending on the process type and associated process parameters. In order to produce different spot sizes and / or different laser divergences, one or more lenses of the optical coupler can be adjusted so that the laser enters the processing fiber with a certain offset. However, this produces a spot with a single beam characteristic, either a "spike" (e.g., a central peak) or an annular "ring", which may not be suitable for certain types of processing (e.g., where a combination of multiple beam characteristics, such as a spike and / or multiple rings, is required).

[0013] Some embodiments described herein provide a laser beam transmission system (also referred to as a beam forming system) comprising a beam emitting device, a waveguide assembly, and / or a processing head. The beam emitting device may include an input port for inputting the laser beam into the beam emitting device and an optical relay system for relaying the laser beam to the waveguide assembly. The optical relay system may include a beam splitting optical device, which may be configured to split the laser beam into a plurality of laser sub-beams. The beam splitting optical device may include one or more surfaces and / or one or more facets to redirect at least some of the laser beam to produce a plurality of laser sub-beams. The adjustment component may move the beam splitting optical device so that the beam splitting optical device is located in some or all of the transmission path of the laser beam, thereby enabling the beam splitting optical device to split the laser beam into a plurality of laser sub-beams.

[0014] In some embodiments, the beam splitting optics can cause multiple laser sub-beams to be transmitted to corresponding regions of a waveguide input lens of a waveguide assembly. Each region can be associated with a lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens. The waveguide input lens can transmit the multiple laser sub-beams into the core of a waveguide of the waveguide assembly at corresponding emission angles (e.g., corresponding to the corresponding regions and / or the corresponding lateral offsets of the waveguide input lens). The multiple laser sub-beams can be transmitted from the waveguide assembly to a processing head via the waveguide and can be focused into an output laser beam (e.g., on a target). The output laser beam can be a combination of the multiple laser sub-beams and can therefore have a shape corresponding to the corresponding lateral offsets associated with the multiple laser sub-beams.

[0015] In this manner, some embodiments described herein facilitate generating an output laser beam including multiple beam characteristics (e.g., an output laser beam having an output laser beam spike and one or more output laser beam rings, or an output laser beam having two or more output laser beam rings). Thus, the output laser beam can be configured to facilitate cutting, drilling, welding, brazing, surface annealing, alloying, hardening, and / or other applications associated with a target requiring an output beam having multiple beam characteristics, which is not possible using conventional single beam characteristic adjustment techniques.

[0016] Figure 1A-1B is a schematic diagram of an example implementation 100 associated with a laser beam delivery system 102 described herein. The laser beam delivery system 102 can produce different output laser beam profiles (e.g., different combinations of Gaussian-like beam "spikes" and / or one or more annular beam "rings"). Figure 1A-1B As shown, the laser beam delivery system 102 may include a beam emitting device 104 , a waveguide assembly 106 , and / or a processing head 108 .

[0017] The beam emitting device 104 may include an input port 110 and an optical relay system 112. The input port 110 may be configured to input a laser beam into the beam emitting device 104. For example, Figure 1A-1B As shown, the input port 110 may input a laser beam including a plurality of input light rays (eg, a plurality of non-parallel input light rays).

[0018] The optical relay system 112 can be configured to relay a laser beam (e.g., a laser beam input into the beam emitting device 104 through the input port 110) to the waveguide assembly 106. In some embodiments, the optical relay system 112 can include a first lens 114 (e.g., a collimating lens), a second lens 116 (e.g., a focusing lens), an adjustment component 118, and / or a beam splitting optical device 120.

[0019] The first lens 114 may be configured to receive a laser beam (eg, including Figure 1A-1B 114), collimates the laser beam (e.g., so that the input light rays are parallel to each other and / or to the optical axis of the first lens 114), and transmits the laser beam (e.g., within the optical relay system 112) to the second lens 116. In some embodiments, some or all of the laser beam can be transmitted to the second lens 116 via a beam splitting optic 120, as described herein.

[0020] The adjustment component 118 may be configured to translate, rotate, tilt, or otherwise move the beam splitting optical device 120, the first lens 114, and / or the second lens 116 so that the beam splitting optical device 120 is located within the transmission path of some or all of the laser beam between the first lens 114 and the second lens 116. For example, the adjustment component 118 may be configured to adjust the position of the beam splitting optical device 120 so that when the laser beam is transmitted from the first lens 114 to the second lens 116, at least a portion of the beam splitting optical device 120 is within the transmission path of the laser beam.

[0021] The beam splitting optics 120 can be configured to cause the laser beam to be split into a plurality of laser sub-beams (e.g., a first laser sub-beam, a second laser sub-beam, and / or one or more additional laser sub-beams) when the beam splitting optics 120 is within at least some of the transmission paths. In some embodiments, the beam splitting optics 120 can be configured to redirect at least a portion of the laser beam so that the laser beam is split into a plurality of laser sub-beams.

[0022] For example, when the beam splitting optics 120 is located within a portion of the transmission path, the first portion of the laser beam can be transmitted directly from the first lens 114 to the second lens 116 (e.g., without contacting the beam splitting optics 120), and the second portion of the laser beam can be transmitted indirectly from the first lens 114 to the second lens 116 via the beam splitting optics 120. Due to one or more optical properties of the beam splitting optics 120, the beam splitting optics 120 can redirect the second portion of the laser beam when the second portion of the laser beam is incident on the beam splitting optics 120. Therefore, the beam splitting optics 120 can cause (e.g., by redirecting the second portion of the laser beam) the laser beam to split into a first laser sub-beam (e.g., including the first portion of the laser beam) and a second laser sub-beam (e.g., including the second portion of the laser beam).

[0023] In a specific example, Figure 1A As shown, the two bottom input rays of the input laser beam can be transmitted from the first lens 114 directly to the second lens 116, while the two top input rays of the laser beam can be transmitted from the first lens 114 and can be incident on the beam splitting optical device 120. The beam splitting optical device 120 can reflect, refract, diffract and / or otherwise change the respective trajectories of the two top input rays, which can then be transmitted to the second lens 116. Therefore, the beam splitting optical device 120 can split the laser beam into a first laser sub-beam (e.g., including the two bottom input rays) and a second laser sub-beam (e.g., including the two top input rays) (e.g., by redirecting the two top input rays).

[0024] As another example, when the beam splitting optical device 120 is located within the transmission path (e.g., the entire transmission path) of the laser beam, the first portion of the laser beam and the second portion of the laser beam may both be indirectly transmitted from the first lens 114 to the second lens 116 via the beam splitting optical device 120. Due to one or more optical characteristics of the beam splitting optical device 120, when the first portion of the laser beam and the second portion of the laser beam are incident on the beam splitting optical device 120, the beam splitting optical device 120 may redirect at least one of the first portion of the laser beam or the second portion of the laser beam. Therefore, the beam splitting optical device 120 may split the laser beam into a first laser sub-beam (e.g., including the first portion of the laser beam) and a second laser sub-beam (e.g., including the second portion of the laser beam) (e.g., by redirecting at least one of the first portion of the laser beam or the second portion of the laser beam).

[0025] In a specific example, Figure 1BAs shown, three input rays of a laser beam may be transmitted from the first lens 114 and may be incident on the beam splitting optical device 120. The beam splitting optical device 120 may reflect, refract, diffract, and / or otherwise change the trajectory of a bottom input ray of the three input rays, which may then be transmitted to the second lens 116. Thus, the beam splitting optical device 120 may split the laser beam into a first laser sub-beam (e.g., including two top input rays of the three input rays) and a second laser sub-beam (e.g., including the bottom input ray) (e.g., by redirecting the bottom input ray).

[0026] In some embodiments, the beam splitting optic 120 may be a prism-shaped optic, a wedge-shaped optic, or a multi-faceted optic. Figure 1A As shown, the beam splitting optical device 120 can be a prism-shaped optical device or a wedge-shaped optical device (e.g., an optical device having an inclined front surface and / or an inclined rear surface). As another example, Figure 1B As shown, the beam splitting optic 120 may be a multi-faceted optic (eg, including a front face and a back face that are parallel to each other and two side faces that are angled with respect to the front face and the back face, respectively).

[0027] In some embodiments, the beam splitting optic 120 can be a multi-faceted optic that includes a plurality of facets arranged in a one-dimensional pattern (e.g., a "row" of facets) or a two-dimensional pattern (e.g., a "grid" of facets) on at least one surface (e.g., an input surface and / or an output surface) of the beam splitting optic 120. Thus, the adjustment component 118 can be configured to adjust the position of the beam splitting optic 120 within the laser beam transmission path between the first lens 114 and the second lens 116 in one dimension or two dimensions (e.g., so that different portions of the laser beam are incident on different facets of the plurality of facets of the beam splitting optic 120). In some embodiments, at least one facet of the plurality of facets can include a planar facet and / or at least one facet can include a non-planar facet (e.g., a curved or partially curved facet). In some embodiments, the plurality of facets can include a set of facets having corresponding sizes (e.g., widths, diameters, or other size measurements) that meet (e.g., are less than or equal to) a facet size threshold. For example, the set of facets can have respective sizes small enough to enable beam splitting optics 120 to act as an optical diffuser or beam homogenizer for the laser beam.In some implementations, a facet in the plurality of facets can have reflective, refractive, and / or diffractive properties.

[0028] In some embodiments, the beam splitting optic 120 may include a rotationally adjustable optic. For example, the beam splitting optic 120 may include a multi-faceted disk-shaped optic including a plurality of facets arranged in azimuth on at least one surface of the multi-faceted disk-shaped optic. The beam splitting optic 120 may have a rotation axis that is approximately parallel (e.g., within 2 degrees) to the optical axis of the first lens 114 and / or the second lens 116. Thus, the adjustment component 118 may be configured to rotationally adjust (e.g., on the rotation axis of the beam splitting optic 120) the position of the beam splitting optic 120 (e.g., so that one or more of the plurality of facets are located within the transmission path of the laser beam). As another example, the beam splitting optic 120 may be a multi-faceted polygonal optic including a plurality of facet edges. The beam splitting optic 120 may have a rotation axis that is approximately perpendicular (e.g., within 2 degrees) to the optical axis of the first lens 114 and / or the second lens 116. Thus, the adjustment component 118 may be configured to rotationally adjust (eg, on a rotation axis of the beam splitting optics 120 ) the position of the beam splitting optics 120 (eg, so that one or more of the plurality of facets are located in the transmission path of the laser beam).

[0029] The second lens 116 of the beam emitting device 104 can be configured to receive a laser beam (e.g., from the first lens 114 and / or the beam splitting optical device 120). For example, the beam splitting optical device 120 can split the laser beam into a plurality of laser sub-beams (e.g., as described herein), and can cause the plurality of laser sub-beams to be transmitted to and received by the second lens 116. The second lens 116 can be configured to focus the plurality of laser sub-beams at corresponding regions of a waveguide input lens 122 of the waveguide assembly 106. For example, the second lens 116 can be configured to focus a first laser sub-beam of the plurality of laser sub-beams at a first region of the waveguide input lens 122. The first region of the waveguide input lens 122 can be associated with a first lateral offset of an optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122. For example, the first lateral offset can be a “zero” lateral offset (e.g., an offset of 0 micrometers (μm) from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122). As another example, the second lens 116 can be configured to focus a second laser sub-beam of the plurality of laser sub-beams at a second region of the waveguide input lens 122. The second region of the waveguide input lens 122 may be associated with a second lateral offset of the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122 of the waveguide assembly 106. The second lateral offset may be a "non-zero" lateral offset (e.g., an offset greater than 0 μm from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122, such as a 60 μm offset, a 90 μm offset, or a 120 μm offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122).

[0030] The waveguide assembly 106 can be configured to transmit a laser beam (e.g., including multiple laser beamlets) from the beam emitting device 104 to the processing head 108. In some embodiments, the waveguide assembly 106 can include a waveguide input lens 122, a waveguide 124, and / or a waveguide output lens 126.

[0031] The waveguide input lens 122 can be configured to receive multiple laser sub-beams (e.g., laser sub-beams included in the laser beam) from the second lens 116 of the beam emitting device 104 (e.g., at corresponding regions of the waveguide input lens 122, as described herein), and transmit the multiple laser sub-beams into the core 128 of the waveguide 124 at corresponding emission angles. The respective emission angles can correspond to respective lateral offsets associated with the multiple laser sub-beams. For example, the waveguide input lens 122 can transmit sub-beams associated with small lateral offsets into the core 128 of the waveguide 124 at small emission angles (e.g., relative to the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122), and / or can transmit sub-beams associated with large lateral offsets into the core 128 of the waveguide 124 at large emission angles (e.g., relative to the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122).

[0032] In one example, the waveguide input lens 122 may receive a first laser sub-beam from the second lens 116 at a first region of the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., as described above), and may transmit the first laser sub-beam into the core 128 of the waveguide 124 at a first emission angle. The first emission angle may correspond to a first lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122. For example, when the first lateral offset is a zero lateral offset, the waveguide input lens 122 may transmit the first laser sub-beam at a first emission angle that is approximately parallel to (e.g., within 2 degrees) the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122. Additionally or alternatively, the waveguide input lens 122 may receive a second laser sub-beam (e.g., as described above) at a second region of the waveguide input lens 122, and may transmit the second laser sub-beam into the core 128 of the waveguide 124 at a second emission angle. The second emission angle may correspond to a second lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122. For example, when the second lateral offset is a non-zero lateral offset, the waveguide input lens 122 can transmit the first laser sub-beam at a second emission angle that is not parallel to the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., an emission angle greater than 2 degrees).

[0033] In some embodiments, the waveguide 124 can include a core 128 and a cladding 130. The waveguide 124 can be configured to transmit the plurality of laser beamlets from the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., via the core 128) to the waveguide output lens 126. The core 128 can include glass and / or other suitable materials configured to transmit the plurality of laser beamlets. The cladding 130 can surround (e.g., circumferentially surround) the core 128 and can be configured to confine the plurality of laser beamlets (e.g., within the core 128).

[0034] The waveguide output lens 126 may be configured to receive the plurality of laser beamlets from the waveguide 124 and transmit the plurality of laser beamlets to the processing head 108 of the laser beam delivery system 102 .

[0035] The processing head 108 may include a processing head input lens 132 (e.g., a collimating lens) and / or a processing head output lens 134 (e.g., a focusing lens). The processing head input lens 132 may be configured to receive the plurality of laser beamlets from the waveguide output lens 126 of the waveguide assembly 106 and transmit the plurality of laser beamlets (e.g., within the processing head 108) to the processing head output lens 134. The processing head output lens 134 may be configured to receive the plurality of laser beamlets and focus the plurality of laser beamlets into an output laser beam 136 (e.g., on a target 138, such as a workpiece).

[0036] The output laser beam 136 can be a combination of sub-beams transmitted from the beam emitting device 104 to the waveguide assembly 106, the processing head 108 and / or the target 138. For example, the output laser beam 136 can include the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam described herein. In some embodiments, the output laser beam 136 can have a shape corresponding to the corresponding lateral offsets associated with the multiple laser sub-beams. For example, the output laser beam 136 can include a laser beam spike and / or one or more output laser beam rings. The laser beam spike can be associated with a laser sub-beam having a zero lateral offset. The one or more output laser beam rings can be associated with one or more laser sub-beams having corresponding non-zero lateral offsets. The output laser beam 136 is referred to herein as Figures 2A-2D Further description.

[0037] The target 138 may be a workpiece, such as a metal workpiece, and the output laser beam 136 may be configured to facilitate cutting, drilling, welding, brazing, surface annealing, alloying, hardening, and / or other applications associated with the target 138 .

[0038] As mentioned above, Figure 1A-1B Provided as examples. Other examples may vary from those depicted in Figures 1A-1B.

[0039] Figures 2A-2D2 is a schematic diagram of example shapes 200, 202, 204, and 206 of the output laser beam 136 described herein. Figure 2A As shown, the shape 200 of the output laser beam 136 may include an output laser beam peak 208 and an output laser beam ring 210. For example, the shape 200 of the output laser beam 136 may be formed when the beam splitting optics 120 splits the laser beam into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam, and transmits the first laser sub-beam to a first region of the waveguide input lens 122 of the waveguide assembly 106 (e.g., associated with a zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122) and transmits the second laser sub-beam to a second region of the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., associated with a non-zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122). The first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam may then be transmitted (e.g., via the waveguide assembly 106 and / or the processing head 108) to form the output laser beam peak 208 (e.g., having a zero lateral offset) and the output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., having a non-zero lateral offset), respectively, on the target 138.

[0040] like Figure 2B As shown, the shape 202 of the output laser beam 136 may include two output laser beam rings 210. For example, when the beam splitting optical device 120 splits the laser beam into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam, and transmits the first laser sub-beam to a first region of the waveguide input lens 122 of the waveguide assembly 106 (e.g., which is associated with a first non-zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122) and transmits the second laser beam to a second region of the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., which is associated with a second non-zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122), the shape 202 of the output laser beam 136 may be formed. Then, the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam may be transmitted (e.g., via the waveguide assembly 106 and / or the processing head 108) to form a first output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., having a first non-zero lateral offset) and a second output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., having a second non-zero lateral offset) on the target 138, respectively.

[0041] like Figure 2CAs shown, the shape 204 of the output laser beam 136 may include an output laser beam peak 208 and two output laser beam rings 210. For example, the shape 204 of the output laser beam 136 may be formed when the beam splitting optical device 120 splits the laser beam into a first laser sub-beam, a second laser sub-beam, and a third laser sub-beam, and transmits the first laser sub-beam to a first region of the waveguide input lens 122 of the waveguide assembly 106 (e.g., associated with a zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122), transmits the second laser sub-beam to a second region of the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., associated with a first non-zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122), and transmits the third laser sub-beam to a third region of the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., associated with a second non-zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122). The first laser sub-beam, the second laser sub-beam, and the third laser sub-beam can then be transmitted (e.g., via the waveguide assembly 106 and / or the processing head 108) to form an output laser beam spike 208 (e.g., having a zero lateral offset), a first output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., having a first non-zero lateral offset), and a second output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., having a second non-zero lateral offset) on the target 138, respectively.

[0042] like Figure 2D As shown, the shape 206 of the output laser beam 136 may include three output laser beam rings 210. For example, the shape 206 of the output laser beam 136 may be formed when the beam splitting optical device 120 splits the laser beam into a first laser sub-beam, a second laser sub-beam, and a third laser sub-beam, and transmits the first laser sub-beam to a first region of the waveguide input lens 122 of the waveguide assembly 106 (e.g., associated with a first non-zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122), transmits the second laser sub-beam to a second region of the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., associated with a second non-zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122), and transmits the third laser sub-beam to a third region of the waveguide input lens 122 (e.g., associated with a third non-zero lateral offset from the optical axis of the waveguide input lens 122). The first laser sub-beam, the second laser sub-beam, and the third laser sub-beam can then be transmitted (e.g., via the waveguide assembly 106 and / or the processing head 108) to form a first output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., having a first non-zero lateral offset), a second output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., having a second non-zero lateral offset), and a third output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., having a third non-zero lateral offset) on the target 138, respectively.

[0043] As mentioned above, Figures 2A-2D Other examples may differ from those depicted in Figures 2A-2D.

[0044] Figure 3is a graph 300 showing example intensity distributions (e.g., relative intensities) of four laser sub-beams 302-308 of an input laser beam formed by the beam splitting optics 120 as a function of radius (e.g., distance from the center of the laser sub-beams in micrometers (μm)) (e.g., about 1 / e of 45 micrometers (μm)). 2 The four laser sub-beams can each be associated with a specific offset. For example, laser sub-beam 302 can be associated with a zero offset, laser sub-beam 304 can be associated with an offset of 60 μm, laser sub-beam 306 can be associated with an offset of 90 μm, and laser sub-beam 308 can be associated with an offset of 120 μm. Each laser sub-beam can be transmitted (e.g., through waveguide assembly 106 and / or processing head 108) to target 138 (e.g., forming output laser beam spike 208 or output laser beam ring 210 of output laser beam 136). Figure 3 As shown, for each laser sub-beam, the maximum intensity decreases as the offset associated with the laser sub-beam increases. This is because in a larger output laser beam ring 210, the beam power is distributed over a larger area.

[0045] As mentioned above, Figure 3 Shown as an example. Other examples may be Figure 3 Different from what is described in .

[0046] Figure 4 4 is a graph 400 showing example intensity profiles (e.g., relative intensity) of four output laser beams 402-408 formed by beam splitting optics 120 as a function of radius (e.g., distance from the center of the laser beam in μm), the four output laser beams 402-408 comprising a combination of two laser sub-beams (e.g., sub-beam 302 associated with a zero offset and sub-beam 306 associated with a 90 μm offset). For example, output laser beam 402 may include a mixture ratio of 75% sub-beam 302 and 25% sub-beam 306, output laser beam 404 may include a mixture ratio of 55% sub-beam 302 and 50% sub-beam 306, output laser beam 406 may include a mixture ratio of 25% sub-beam 302 and 75% sub-beam 306, and output laser beam 408 may include a mixture ratio of 10% sub-beam 302 and 90% sub-beam 306. Figure 4 As shown, the intensity distribution of each output laser beam resembles a "chair", with a first peak associated with output laser beam spike 208 and a second peak associated with output laser beam ring 210. For example, the intensity distribution associated with output laser beam 402 includes output laser beam spike 208, which has a higher intensity than the intensities of the individual output laser beams 404-408.

[0047] Other intensity distributions can be formed by using other mixing ratios, other offset values ​​and / or additional laser sub-beams (e.g., more than two laser sub-beams). Figure 4 As further shown in FIG. 4 , the output laser beam 408 can provide approximately equal intensity for the output laser beam peak 208 and the output laser beam ring 210 (e.g., there is an intensity drop between the output laser beam peak 208 and the output laser beam ring 210). The output laser beam 408 can be used as an output laser beam with a relatively flat top profile. When a more uniform flat top is desired, the beam splitting optical device 120 can be configured to generate a third beam sub-beam that can be included in the output laser beam 408 (e.g., to fill the drop between the output laser beam peak 208 and the output laser beam ring 210).

[0048] As mentioned above, Figure 4 Provided as an example. Other examples may be Figure 4 Different from what is described in .

[0049] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made based on the foregoing disclosure, or may be obtained from the practice of the embodiments. In addition, any implementation described herein may be combined, unless the foregoing disclosure explicitly provides reasons why one or more embodiments cannot be combined.

[0050] As used herein, satisfying a threshold may refer to a value being greater than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, not equal to a threshold, etc., depending on the context.

[0051] Even though specific combinations of features are referenced in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the various embodiments. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways that are not specifically described in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed may be directly dependent on only one claim, the disclosure of the various embodiments includes each dependent claim and each other claim in the claims. As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one" in a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including a single member. For example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination of multiples of the same item.

[0052] Unless explicitly described, the elements, actions or instructions used herein should not be interpreted as key or necessary. In addition, as used herein, the article "one" is intended to include one or more items and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the article "the" is intended to include one or more items associated with the article "the" and can be used interchangeably with "the one or more". In addition, as used herein, the term "set" is intended to include one or more items (e.g., a combination of related items, unrelated items, or related and unrelated items), and can be used interchangeably with "one or more", and when only one item is intended to be used, the phrase "only one" or similar language is used. In addition, as used herein, the terms "having", "including", "comprising", etc. are intended to be open terms. In addition, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on", unless otherwise explicitly stated. In addition, as used herein, the term "or" is intended to be included when used in series, and can be used interchangeably with "and / or", unless otherwise explicitly stated (e.g., if used in combination with "either" or "only one of them"). Additionally, for ease of description, spatially relative terms, such as "below," "lower," "above," "upper," etc., may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as depicted in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device, apparatus, and / or element in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0053] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0054] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 177,688, filed on April 21, 2021, entitled “BEAMSHAPING SYSTEM,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A laser beam transmission system, comprising: Light beam launching equipment, including optical relay systems; and A waveguide assembly, wherein: The optical relay system includes a beam splitting optical device configured to: so that the laser beam input into the beam emitting device is divided into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam, causing the first laser sub-beam to be transmitted to a first region of an input lens of the waveguide assembly and causing the second laser sub-beam to be transmitted to a second region of the input lens of the waveguide assembly; and the waveguide assembly being configured to transmit the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam from an input lens of the waveguide assembly to an output lens of the waveguide assembly via a waveguide of the waveguide assembly, Therein, the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam are transmitted from the waveguide assembly and form an output laser beam including two or more concentric portions.

2. The laser beam delivery system according to claim 1, wherein: The two or more concentric parts are one of the following: an output laser beam spike and one or more output laser beam rings; or Two or more output laser beam rings.

3. The laser beam delivery system according to claim 1, wherein: The beam splitting optical device comprises one of the following: Prismatic optics; wedge optics; or Multi-faceted optics.

4. The laser beam delivery system of claim 1, wherein: The first region is associated with a first lateral offset from an optical axis of an input lens of the waveguide assembly; and The second region is associated with a second lateral offset from an optical axis of an input lens of the waveguide assembly.

5. The laser beam delivery system of claim 4, wherein: The input lens of the waveguide assembly is configured to: receiving a first laser sub-beam at a first region of an input lens and transmitting the first laser sub-beam into a core of a waveguide of a waveguide assembly at a first launch angle; and The second laser sub-beam is received at a second region of the input lens and transmitted into the core of the waveguide at a second launch angle.

6. The laser beam delivery system of claim 1, wherein: The optical relay system further includes an adjustment component configured to adjust a position of the beam splitting optical device within some or all of a transmission path of the laser beam within the optical relay system.

7. The laser beam delivery system of claim 6, wherein: The beam splitting optical device is a multi-faceted optical device comprising a plurality of facets arranged in a one-dimensional pattern or a two-dimensional pattern on a surface of the beam splitting optical device, and The adjusting component is configured to adjust the position of the beam splitting optical device in some or all transmission paths of the laser beam in one dimension or two dimensions.

8. The laser beam delivery system of claim 1, wherein: The beam splitting optical device is a multi-faceted optical device including a plurality of facets and meets at least one of the following requirements: A first facet of the plurality of facets comprises a planar facet; or A second facet of the plurality of facets includes a non-planar facet.

9. The laser beam delivery system of claim 1, wherein: The beam splitting optic is a multi-faceted optic comprising a plurality of facets, and The plurality of facets comprises a group of facets having corresponding sizes that satisfy a facet size threshold.

10. The laser beam delivery system of claim 1, wherein: The beam splitting optic is a multi-faceted optic comprising a plurality of facets, and Wherein, a facet among the plurality of facets comprises at least one of the following: reflective properties; refractive properties; or Diffraction properties.

11. A laser beam transmission system comprising: a waveguide assembly having an input lens, an output lens, and a waveguide located between the input lens and the output lens, A light beam emitting device configured to: so that the laser beam input into the beam emitting device is divided into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam, causing the first laser sub-beam to be transmitted to a first region of an input lens, wherein the first region is associated with a first lateral offset from an optical axis of the input lens; and causing the second laser sub-beam to be transmitted to a second region of the input lens, wherein the second region is associated with a second lateral offset from an optical axis of the input lens, wherein the waveguide assembly is configured to transmit the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam from the input lens to the output lens via the waveguide, and Therein, the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam form an output laser beam comprising two or more concentric portions.

12. The laser beam delivery system of claim 11, wherein: The light beam emitting device comprises one of the following: Prismatic optics; wedge optics; or Multi-faceted optics.

13. The laser beam delivery system of claim 11, wherein: The light beam emitting device comprises a beam splitting optical device, wherein the beam splitting optical device has at least one of the following: reflective properties; refractive properties; or Diffraction properties.

14. The laser beam delivery system of claim 11, wherein: The beam emitting device is configured to redirect at least a portion of the laser beam such that the laser beam is split into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam.

15. The laser beam delivery system of claim 11, wherein: The beam launching device comprises an adjustment component configured to adjust a position of the beam splitting optics within some or all of a transmission path of the laser beam within the beam launching device.

16. The laser beam delivery system of claim 15, wherein: The beam splitting optical device is a multi-faceted disk-shaped optical device, the multi-faceted disk-shaped optical device comprising a plurality of facets arranged azimuthally on at least one surface of the multi-faceted disk-shaped optical device, and wherein: The beam splitting optics has an axis of rotation parallel to the optical axis of the input lens of the beam launching device; and The adjustment component is configured to rotationally adjust the position of the beam splitting optical device on a rotation axis of the beam splitting optical device within some or all transmission paths of the laser beam.

17. The laser beam delivery system of claim 15, wherein: The beam splitting optic is a multi-faceted polygonal optic comprising a plurality of faceted edges, and wherein: The beam splitting optic has an axis of rotation perpendicular to the optical axis of the input lens of the beam launching device; and The adjustment component is configured to rotationally adjust the position of the beam splitting optical device on a rotation axis of the beam splitting optical device within some or all transmission paths of the laser beam.

18. A laser beam transmission method, comprising: The laser beam input into the laser beam transmission system is divided into a first laser sub-beam and a second laser sub-beam by the laser beam transmission system; causing a first laser sub-beam to be transmitted by a laser beam delivery system to a first region of an input lens of the waveguide assembly, wherein the first region is associated with a first lateral offset from an optical axis of the input lens of the waveguide assembly; transmitting, by the laser beam delivery system, a second laser sub-beam to a second region of an input lens of the waveguide assembly, wherein the second region is associated with a second lateral offset from an optical axis of the input lens of the waveguide assembly; and The first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam are transmitted from an input lens of the waveguide assembly to an output lens of the waveguide assembly by a laser beam transmission system and via a waveguide of the waveguide assembly, wherein the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam form an output laser beam including two or more concentric portions.

19. The laser beam transmission method according to claim 18, wherein: Transmitting the first laser sub-beam to a first region of an input lens of a waveguide assembly, transmitting the second laser sub-beam to a second region of the input lens of the waveguide assembly, and transmitting the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam from the input lens of the waveguide assembly to an output lens of the waveguide assembly to form an output laser beam, wherein the output laser beam is a combination of the first laser sub-beam and the second laser sub-beam.

20. The laser beam transmission method according to claim 18, wherein: The two or more concentric parts are one of the following: an output laser beam spike and one or more output laser beam rings; or Two or more output laser beam rings.

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