Symmetry enhancement and spot-size reduction through radial beam stacking in a multichannel CO(2) laser array

The beam quality of a diffusion-cooled RF-excited radial-geometry CO(2)-slab-laser array is investigated. The system is shown to negate many of the disadvantages inherent with slab lasers, namely, asymmetric beams, multiple focal spots, and linear polarization. In addition, the effective spot size i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE journal of quantum electronics 1994-08, Vol.30 (8), p.1868-1875
Main Authors: Yelden, E F, Scott, S W C, Strohschein, J D, Seguin, H J J, Capjack, C E, Reshef, H W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
BEAM PROFILES
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
ELEMENTS
GAS LASERS
LASER BEAM MACHINING
LASERS
MACHINING 360101 > Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
MATERIALS SCIENCE
METALS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
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Summary:The beam quality of a diffusion-cooled RF-excited radial-geometry CO(2)-slab-laser array is investigated. The system is shown to negate many of the disadvantages inherent with slab lasers, namely, asymmetric beams, multiple focal spots, and linear polarization. In addition, the effective spot size is reduced as a result of radial stacking of the individual asymmetric but azimuthally distributed, incoherent, output beamlets. A performance demonstration with sheet-metal cutting has produced excellent results in terms of kerf width, depth of penetration, and cut directionality
ISSN:0018-9197
1558-1713
DOI:10.1109/3.301651