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Method for changing the cross section of a laser beam

Patent ·
OSTI ID:870196
A technique is disclosed herein in which a circular optical beam, for example a copper vapor laser (CVL) beam, is converted to a beam having a profile other than circular, e.g. square or triangular. This is accomplished by utilizing a single optical mirror having a reflecting surface designed in accordance with a specifically derived formula in order to make the necessary transformation, without any substantial light loss and without changing substantially the intensity profile of the circular beam which has a substantially uniform intensity profile. In this way, the output beam can be readily directed into the dye cell of a dye laser.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 5473475
OSTI ID:
870196
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (5)

Diffractive Optical Elements For Use In Infrared Systems journal June 1989
Transforming a circular laser beam into a square or trapezoid--almost journal January 1992
Holographic conversion of a Gaussian beam to a near-field uniform beam journal January 1991
Strip Mirror Integrator For Laser Beam Uniformity On A Target journal August 1989
Geometrical transformations in optics* journal January 1974