Flat-Top Laser Pulse Width Control with Beam Combining and Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser devices face challenges in achieving uniformity of flat-top laser beams, leading to complex configurations and longer optical systems when multiple laser beams are used.
Innovation Solution
A variable pulse width flat-top laser device that combines and splits optical paths from multiple laser light sources to form images by time-sequentially overlaying flat-top laser beams on a target object, using a combination/split unit and an imaging optical system to adjust pulse width and energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a larger number of laser beams are used to improve uniformity of flat-top laser beam, then beam uniformity is improved, but configuration complexity of light source and optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single laser beam into multiple beams using a beam splitter, then processes each beam separately through identical optical paths. This segmentation approach allows multiple beams to be handled by replicated, standardized modules, improving uniformity while keeping each module's complexity manageable and reusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple processed laser beams into a single integrated output that forms a uniform flat-top beam pattern. By merging the individually processed beams in a controlled manner, the system achieves improved beam uniformity without requiring completely separate optical systems for each beam.
2Manufacturing precision
If a larger number of laser beams are used to improve uniformity of flat-top laser beam, then beam uniformity is improved, but optical system length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent processes multiple laser beams in parallel through identical optical paths arranged side-by-side rather than sequentially. This spatial arrangement in another dimension allows multiple beams to be handled simultaneously without increasing the longitudinal length of the optical system, maintaining compactness while achieving improved uniformity.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple laser beams are processed separately to improve uniformity, then beam uniformity is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent processes multiple laser beams simultaneously through parallel optical paths rather than sequentially. This continuous parallel processing maintains the useful action across all beams at the same time, achieving improved uniformity without increasing the total processing time, as all beams are handled concurrently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device maintains a compact optical system configuration while improving beam uniformity and energy distribution, allowing for efficient control of pulse width and energy.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical path combiner configured to combine optical paths of the first and second laser beams emitted from the first and second laser light sources with a time difference
Implementation Method 2
a polarization beam splitter configured to transmit any one of the first laser beam converted into the second polarization via the half-wave plate and the second laser beam having the first polarization and reflect the other laser beam
Implementation Method 3
a first beam splitter configured to split a laser beam emitted from the first optical path combiner into at least two partial laser beams
Implementation Method 4
a half-wave plate located at an emitting end of the first laser light source and configured to convert the first polarization of the first laser beam emitted from the first laser light source into a second polarization perpendicular to the first polarization
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a variable pulse width flat-top laser device and an operation method therefor. A variable pulse width flat-top laser device includes a light source unit including first and second laser light sources driven at different times to respectively emit pulse-type first and second laser beams, a beam shaping unit configured to shape the first and second laser beams emitted from the light source unit into flat-top laser beams, a combination/split unit located between the light source unit and the beam shaping unit, and including a first beam combination/split unit configured to combine optical paths of the first and second laser beams and split a combined optical path into at least two optical paths so that the split at least two optical paths are directed to different regions of an incident surface of the beam shaping unit, and an imaging optical system configured to time-sequentially overlay the flat-top laser beams shaped by the beam shaping unit on a target object to form an image.