Flat-Top Laser Pulse Shaping for Uniform Beams in Compact Optics

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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 includes a light source unit with multiple laser light sources driven at different times, a beam shaping unit, and an imaging optical system that combines and splits optical paths to time-sequentially overlay flat-top laser beams on a target object, using a combination/split unit and homogenizing optical system to improve beam uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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 device complexity and optical system length increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam uniformityVSAvoidlight source configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

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 independently while maintaining consistent processing, improving uniformity without requiring complex integrated systems for multiple light sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by placing one optical system within another - specifically, combining multiple optical paths into a shared common optical path after individual processing. The beam combiner merges the processed beams, and the common optical path (including beam shaping and scanning) handles all beams sequentially, creating a nested structure that reduces overall system complexity and length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam uniformityVSAvoidoptical system length

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple optical paths into a single common optical path after individual beam processing. The beam combiner combines the processed beams, and they share the same beam shaping unit, homogenizing optical system, and scanning mechanism. This combining approach significantly reduces the total optical path length compared to having separate complete optical systems for each beam

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses time-sequential operation where the light sources are driven at different times and the imaging optical system overlays beams time-sequentially on the target. This periodic/timed activation allows multiple beams to use shared optical components sequentially rather than simultaneously, reducing the required optical system length while maintaining the effect of multiple beams for improved uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 by adjusting pulse width and energy of laser beams, reducing scattering and enhancing processing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging optical system configured to form an image by time-sequentially overlaying the flat-top laser beams shaped by the beam shaping unit on a target object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperposition:

Implementation Method 2

a combination/split unit located between the light source unit and the beam shaping unit and configured to combine optical paths of the plurality of laser beams and split a combined optical path into at least two optical paths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical path combination and splitting:

Data Source

PatentUS20250332661A1Variable-pulse-width flat-top laser device and operating method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 TECHNICS

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.