Spot-size measurements of a focused cw Nd:YAG laser

Marcelino Essien; Paul Lee Schanwald; Phillip W. Fuerschbach

doi:10.1117/12.206980

17 April 1995 Spot-size measurements of a focused cw Nd:YAG laser

Marcelino Essien, Paul Lee Schanwald, Phillip W. Fuerschbach

Proceedings Volume 2375, Beam Control, Diagnostics, Standards, and Propagation; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.206980
Event: Photonics West '95, 1995, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The minimum spotsize, beam quality or M², and strehl ratio of a focused laser beam provide different measures of the performance of the laser/optic system. Focusing lenses typically used to provide irradiances sufficient to cause melting and/or vaporization of metals or ceramics typically exhibit considerable spherical aberration, and thus limit the minimum spotsize attainable for a given lens at a specific laser power. The purpose of this work it to quantify the increase in the minimum spotsize and decrease in strehl ratio of focused materials processing cw Nd:YAG laser caused by (1) laser cavity heating and (2) spherical aberration introduced by the focusing lens. Minimum spotsize was determined by making several measurements of spotsize along the propagation direction using a scanning aperture system, and fitting the data to the laser propagation equation. These measurements were performed for 6 plano-convex lenses of different focal lengths, using laser power ranging from 500 to 1500 watts. A nonlinear variation of spotsize with laser power and with focal length was observed for the lenses and power levels tested.

Citation Download Citation

Marcelino Essien, Paul Lee Schanwald, and Phillip W. Fuerschbach "Spot-size measurements of a focused cw Nd:YAG laser", Proc. SPIE 2375, Beam Control, Diagnostics, Standards, and Propagation, (17 April 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.206980

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available