The invention relates to
laser beam shaping, intended to achieve a controlled intensity distribution, typically a flat-topped distribution, by means of a plurality of
laser beam sources having a non-uniform beam intensity distribution (incident
Gaussian laser beam in the visible,
infrared or
ultraviolet spectrum or other higher-order multi-
transverse mode). The laser beam homogenization-expander uses a primary beam shaper element or
light pipe (light
integrator), and a second beam shaper unit or
microlens array (MLA), i.e., a second light
integrator defining a flat-topped intensity distribution output, to provide a second homogenization level. The invention also includes several optical devices, such as a light diffuser, a mirror, a
dichroic filter, a
beam shaping lens, a
light pipe, and a
microlens, to achieve good homogenization at the desired output angle. The invention is designed as a
laser source that fully integrates / mixes one or more wavelengths, such as red, green and blue, but can also integrate other wavelengths in the visible / invisible spectrum. If multiple wavelengths are used as the initial
laser source, the light engine output can provide good homogenization and
color mixing with little noticeable speckles, near flat-topped intensity distribution, and also no visible hot spots or interference patterns. The invention can be used in many applications, such as microscopes, material
processing,
fluorescence, lighting devices,
holography,
fiber coupling, and the like, which require the spectral characteristics (
narrowband, monochromaticity) of the laser, but at the same time require a uniform distribution of the intensity.