Pulsed Laser Diodes with a Homogeneous Beam Profile

Pulsed laser diodes are becoming more and more efficient and powerful, and so they represent a viable alternative to large and expensive laser systems.  

One advantage of solid-state lasers is the excellent beam profile. Achieving this with semiconductor laser diodes requires the use of external beam-shaping elements or homogenisers.   

Diffusing lenses, diffractive elements, or long optical fibres can be used, however, this always results in either a loss of power or the mechanical effort is too great.  

Our developers in Canada have been successful in connecting powerful, multi-junction PLDs to a special fibre structure, and so allowing a homogeneous beam profile to be achieved after just a few centimetres.  

Image 1 shows the near-field distribution of a pulsed laser diode with three epitaxially-integrated emitters.  After just 13 mm (see image 2), a significantly more homogeneous beam profile is visible. Image 3 shows the beam profile after 55 cm.  

The advantage of this assembly is that it is compact and robust and exhibits low losses at the same time as a higher peak power.  

Prototypes are currently being built. If you are interested, we are still able to include any desired changes.