Gsi Group Corporation

Lumonics Inc.

Keith Withnall

David M Filgas

Gerald Francis Hermann

Thomas Robert Kugler

Walther Goethals

Mohammed Naeem

Glyn R Edwards

Laser processing methods, systems and apparatus having a super-modulating power supply or pumping subsystem and high beam quality (i.e., brightness) are disclosed. The methods, systems and apparatus have significant benefits, improved operation characteristics and material processing capability over currently available methods, systems and apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the beam quality of a high power solid state laser is improved in the presence of thermal lensing. High power laser cutting, scribing, and welding results are improved with a combination of modulation and high beam quality while providing for improved processing speeds.

Methods and systems for laser processing a workpiece and methods and apparatus for controlling beam quality therein

Laser processing methods, systems and apparatus having a super-modulating power supply () or pumping subsystem () and high beam quality (i.e., brightness) are disclosed. The methods, systems and apparatus have significant benefits, improved operation characteristics and material processing capability over currently available methods, systems and apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the beam quality of a high power solid state laser () is improved in the presence of thermal lensing. High power laser cutting, scribing, and welding results are improved with a combination of modulation and high beam quality while providing for improved processing speeds.

A laser beam combining unit combines the output beams of a plurality of high power lasers after the beams have been transmitted along, for example, three optical fibres. The beam combining unit includes a holder arrangement for receiving the ends of the optical fibres, three collimating lenses, and a single focusing lens. The ends of the three optical fibres are located substantially in a common plane and circularly spaced at 120.degree. intervals. The three collimating lenses are also located substantially in a common plane and their axes are circularly spaced at 120.degree. intervals. Each of the collimating lenses is aligned with one of the optical fibres. The laser beams are directed by the collimating lenses, as collimated beams, onto the focusing lens with axes of the individual beams parallel to each other. The beams are focused by the focusing lens to a common point for performing a material processing operation.

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West Haddon, United Kingdom

Keith Withnall