High Power Laser Beam Analysis Using Static Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional apparatuses for analyzing high power laser beams are bulky, require many moving parts, and are not capable of real-time measurement, limiting their use in production processes and failing to utilize all optical components of conventional material processing systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus with no moving parts that uses a minimum number of optics, including a pair of high reflecting mirror plates and a dove prism, to attenuate and analyze high power laser beams in real-time, providing multiple focused spots for analysis by a pixilated detector or camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating needle or rotating knife edge is used to analyze the laser beam, then the beam waist can be measured, but the apparatus becomes bulky and requires many moving parts which slow down the measurement process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating needle or rotating knife edge system with a static optical system using a beam splitter and a translating focal point mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for rotating moving parts while maintaining the capability to measure beam waist, thereby reducing device complexity and enabling faster real-time measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary component that divides the laser beam into multiple paths, allowing simultaneous measurement at different focal points. This intermediary enables the system to achieve comprehensive beam analysis without requiring mechanical rotation, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple partially reflective plates are stacked to produce multiple beams for simultaneous detection, then real-time analysis is enabled, but the apparatus requires quite a few optics and is limited to long focal length lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of beam splitting and focal point translation, eliminating the need for multiple stacked partially reflective plates. By using a single beam splitter combined with a translating focal point mechanism, the system achieves real-time multi-spot detection with fewer optical components, thereby improving productivity while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The translating focal point mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it translates the focal point along the optical axis, enables multiple measurement positions, and works with various focal lengths. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple specialized optics, allowing real-time measurement across different beam configurations without increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If conventional apparatuses are used for high power laser beam analysis, then measurement capability is achieved, but the apparatus is bulky and does not facilitate real-time measurement in production processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical scanning systems with a static optical configuration combined with electronic detection. The beam splitter and translating focal point system eliminate the need for slow mechanical movement, enabling real-time measurement of high power laser beams and improving productivity for production process monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple virtual copies of the beam measurement at different focal points simultaneously using the beam splitter and translating focal point mechanism. This copying approach allows comprehensive beam analysis without mechanical scanning, achieving both measurement precision and real-time productivity required for production environments.
4Measurement precision
If a rotating needle reflects a small sampling of the focused laser beam into a detector, then beam waist measurement is achieved, but the apparatus requires careful alignment and takes many minutes to make a measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming rotating needle system with a static beam splitter and translating focal point mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for slow mechanical rotation and careful realignment, enabling beam waist measurement in real-time and significantly reducing measurement time for production applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes multiple measurement paths using the beam splitter before measurement begins. The translating focal point mechanism is pre-configured to access different focal positions, allowing immediate simultaneous measurement without the need for time-consuming alignment procedures required by rotating needle systems.
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
Enables real-time measurement of laser beam properties such as spatial profile, circularity, and M2 values, allowing for in-situ analysis of high power lasers in material processing systems without the need for neutral density filters or extensive optics, facilitating quick and accurate data collection.
Implementation Method 1
an attenuation module that includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a dove prism disposed between the source and the focusing lens. A second camera is disposed out of the path of travel of the laser beam and the dove prism has a first reflecting surface that reflects at least some light from the laser beam into the second camera
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An apparatus that enables real time measurement of the spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M2 values of a laser beam generated by a high power laser beam. The apparatus employs the optics used in a process application, including a focus lens and cover glass. An attenuation module includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to the laser beam. A beam dump is positioned out of a path of travel of the laser beam and in receiving relation to light reflected by the first and second mirrors. A camera detects spots of light that pass through the first and second mirrors. A high power attenuator formed by a highly reflective mirror pair is positioned between the source and the attenuation module. A second embodiment includes a single mirror plate having highly reflective surfaces.