Line-Beam Optical Arrangement for Homogeneous Laser Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing line-type output beam laser systems face challenges in achieving a homogeneous intensity profile due to local inhomogeneities caused by interference artifacts, optical defects, and contaminations.
Innovation Solution
An optical arrangement that converts an input laser beam into a line-type output beam using a reshaping optical unit, a homogenization optical unit, and a redirection optical unit. The reshaping optical unit converts the input beam into a beam packet with multiple segments, which are then homogenized by the homogenization unit, and the redirection unit adjusts the incidence position and direction of the input beam to smooth out inhomogeneities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional optical system is used to generate line-type output beam, then the beam can be produced with basic functionality, but local inhomogeneities in the intensity profile occur due to interference artifacts, optical defects, and contaminations
Solution Approach 1:
The optical arrangement segments the input laser beam into multiple beam packets using a reshaping optical unit with input and output apertures. This segmentation allows different beam segments to be independently manipulated and recombined, enabling the smoothing of local inhomogeneities in the intensity profile while maintaining the overall line-type beam structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements including a vibration apparatus that vibrates optical components and a redirection optical unit that can dynamically adjust beam incidence. These dynamic mechanisms enable real-time modification of beam paths and mixing of beam segments, effectively averaging out static defects and interference patterns to achieve homogeneous intensity distribution.
2Manufacturing precision
If beam mixing and superposition are implemented to smooth inhomogeneities, then intensity profile homogeneity improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional optical units
Solution Approach 1:
The optical arrangement integrates multiple functions into unified components. The homogenization optical unit simultaneously performs beam mixing, superposition, and intensity homogenization. The reshaping optical unit concurrently manages beam segmentation and spatial redistribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while achieving the desired intensity profile homogeneity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the incidence position or direction of the input laser beam is changed over time, then local inhomogeneities are smoothed out, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic vibration of optical components at controlled frequencies to dynamically modulate beam paths. This periodic action causes beam segments to sequentially occupy different spatial positions and angles, effectively sampling and averaging out static inhomogeneities. The periodic nature of this action simplifies control compared to arbitrary time-varying adjustments, as it relies on well-understood vibrational mechanics and frequency control.
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 optical arrangement effectively smooths out local inhomogeneities in the intensity profile over time, achieving a more homogeneous line-type intensity distribution, which enhances the quality of surface treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
different beam segments, of the multiplicity of beam segments of the beam packet, are mixed and superposed along the line direction
Implementation Method 2
a redirection optical unit, which is configured to redirect the at least one input laser beam in such a way that an incidence position or an incidence direction of the at least one input laser beam on the input aperture of the reshaping optical unit is changed in dependence on time
Data Source
AI summary
An optical arrangement converts a laser beam into a line-type beam having a line-type beam cross-section that extends along a line direction with a non-vanishing intensity. The arrangement has: reshaping optics having: an input aperture through which the laser beam is radiated in; and an elongate output aperture, the reshaping optics being configured such that the laser beam radiated in is converted into a beam packet with beam segments that emerge through the output aperture; homogenization optics, which contribute to the conversion of the beam packet into the line-type output beam, and by which different beam segments are mixed and superposed along the line direction; and redirection optics configured to redirect the laser beam such that an incidence position/direction of laser beam on the input aperture is changed in dependence on time.