Patent · US Expired

Laser processing apparatus with means for selectively varying the transverse mode distribution of the laser beam

US4675500A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
9References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 29, 1984
Grant dateJun 23, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 29, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S2301/20
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In the resonator of a laser generator, variable mode selective structure is provided to permit electrically actuated adaptation of beam parameters to required operating conditions. Such structure can be implemented with one or more pivotal plates, each having a different aperture, that are selectively pivoted into the beam path to effectively provide a variable mode diaphragm. In another embodiment, a spatial light modulator comprising a reversing prism with a variable position concave plate positioned adjacent its reflection surface and operating according to the optical tunnel effect can be used to selectively vary the effective diameter of the laser beam.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.