Processing Optical Unit for Overlapping Laser Focus Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laser processing of workpieces, undesired interference effects occur when partial beams with the same or similar polarization are focused, limiting the proximity and potential overlap of focus zones on the workpiece.
Innovation Solution
A processing optical unit is designed with a birefringent polarizer to split input laser beams into pairs of partial beams with perpendicular polarization, and a focusing optical unit to direct these beams onto overlapping focus zones in a focal plane, avoiding interference by maintaining uniform polarization across each beam's cross-section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If partial beams with the same or similar polarization are focused, then the focus zones can be positioned close to each other, but undesired interference effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polarization parameter of the partial beams by using a birefringent polarizer to ensure that overlapping focus zones are formed by beams with perpendicular polarization directions, thereby eliminating interference effects while maintaining precise positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the laser beam into multiple partial beams with different polarization states using a birefringent polarizer, allowing each partial beam to be focused independently into separate or overlapping focus zones without interference
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a birefringent polarizer is used to split laser beams into perpendicular polarization components, then interference effects are avoided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The birefringent polarizer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it splits the laser beam into partial beams, controls the polarization state of each partial beam, and enables the formation of multiple focus zones, thereby reducing the need for additional separate optical components
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
This configuration allows for arbitrarily close and potentially overlapping focus zones without interference, enabling more precise and efficient laser processing by maintaining a homogeneous intensity distribution across the workpiece.
Implementation Method 1
a birefringent polarizer configured to split at least one input laser beam into a pair of partial beams polarized perpendicularly to one another
Implementation Method 2
a focusing optical unit arranged downstream of the birefringent polarizer in the beam path and configured to focus the pair of partial beams onto focus zones in a focal plane
Data Source
AI summary
A processing optical unit for workpiece processing includes a birefringent polarizer configured to split at least one input laser beam into a pair of partial beams polarized perpendicularly to one another. The processing optical unit further includes a focusing optical unit arranged downstream of the birefringent polarizer in the beam path and configured to focus the pair of partial beams onto focus zones in a focal plane. The processing optical unit is configured to produce at least partly overlapping focus zones of the pair of partial beams.