Axicons, prisms and integrators: searching for simple laser beam shaping solutions

Abstract

Over the last thirty five years there have been many papers presented at numerous conferences and published within a host of optical journals. What is presented in many cases is either too exotic or technically challenging in practical application terms and it could be said both are testaments to the imagination of engineers and researchers.For many brute force laser processing applications such as paint stripping, large area ablation or general skiving of flex circuits, the opportunity to use a beam shaper that is inexpensive is a welcomed tool. Shaping the laser beam for less demanding applications, provides for a more uniform removal rate and increases the overall quality of the part being processed. It is a well known fact customers like their parts to look good. Many times, complex optical beam shaping techniques are considered because no one is aware of the historical solutions that have been lost to the ages. These complex solutions can range in price from $10,000 to $60,000 and require many months to design and fabricate. This paper will provide an overview of various beam shaping techniques that are both elegant and simple in concept and design. Optical techniques using axicons, prisms and reflective integrators will be discussed in an overview format.