PowerPhotonic’s new Variable Beam Shaper is an excellent example of freeform, optical innovation, where a single mode, Gaussian laser beam is shaped into one of three different output profiles; a Gaussian spot; a flat top circular spot; or a ring-shaped spot. Initially targeting laser welding, additive manufacturing, and specialist surface functionalization applications, the Variable Beam Shaper is a far simpler and more cost-effective solution for industrial laser processing than is currently available.

Dr. Stephen Kidd, Head of Sales and Marketing at PowerPhotonic, said, “PowerPhotonic’s unique, freeform, wafer-scale optics, enable the Variable Beam Shaper to produce three different output spot profiles, from a single optical element, transitioning seamlessly between them by adjusting the input laser beam diameter. It is a far more cost effective, variable beam shaping solution than is currently available, unlocking market opportunities previously considered cost prohibitive.”

The Variable Beam Shaper is made from fused silica with low loss and low scatter surfaces. This allows high-power handling from continuous wave (CW) or pulsed lasers in the fs-ps-ns regime. PowerPhotonic can also design and manufacture custom, static or variable beam shapers for other bespoke, laser applications and markets.

 For more information contact sales@powerphotonic.com