Design of laser beam shaping optics: a simple algebraic method

John A. McNeil

doi:10.1117/12.763626

25 February 2008 Design of laser beam shaping optics: a simple algebraic method

John A. McNeil

Proceedings Volume 6872, Laser Resonators and Beam Control X; 68720D (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.763626
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2008, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

The design of refractive beam shaping optics using (geometrical) ray optics, rather than (physical) diffractive optics, has been justified theoretically in the cases of interest and validated empirically. Measured output beam profiles have matched to design profile with surprising accuracy. As the number of aspheric optics manufacturers increases, beam shaping optics will become affordable, even for prototypes. For those not already familiar with the subject, this paper provides a brief review of the theory and demonstrates how to easily calculate the coefficients of the finite polynomial series used to produce aspheric surfaces. The numerical integration step found in the literature has been eliminated resulting in a simplified algorithm which is easily implemented with math processors such as Mathcad®, MATLAB®, or Excel®.

Citation Download Citation

John A. McNeil "Design of laser beam shaping optics: a simple algebraic method", Proc. SPIE 6872, Laser Resonators and Beam Control X, 68720D (25 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.763626

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