PULSAR

Pulsed laser system with adaptable pulse parameters

In laser based industrial material processing, the average laser power, beam quality and in pulsed laser systems additionally the pulse duration and repetition rate determine the process results and speed. Especially for developing new processes a high degree of flexibility of the aforementioned laser parameters is therefore beneficial.

The main goal of the joint project PULSAR is the investigation and realization of an integrated laser source concept with adaptable pulse parameters for the use in laser material processing industry. Laser sources based on optically or electronically modulated laser diodes and q-switched microchip lasers with relatively low power, but various pulsed operation modes are being amplified in fiber amplifiers to power levels that meet the requirements of industrial processes. With the decoupling of the laser seed source and amplifier the so called master-oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) concept allows for a higher degree of flexibility and dynamic range concerning laser power and pulse parameters, compared to conventional high-power laser oscillators. In this way modulated laser diodes providing pulse durations from pico- to nanoseconds with arbitrary waveforms and a free choice of repetition rate can be amplified to power levels of several ten Watts with nearly diffraction limited beam quality. The integration of quasi-monolithic seed sources into an all-fiber amplifier chain allows for a compact and nearly adjustment-free laser design. These laser systems exhibit a highly stable operation even in harsh industrial environmental conditions, such as dust contamination, temperature fluctuations and mechanical vibrations.

Contact

Dr. Dietmar Kracht
Laserzentrum Hannover e.V.
Hollerithallee 8
30419 Hannover

e-mail: d.kracht@lzh.de
Tel.: (0511) 2788-120
Fax: (0511) 2788-100

Project partners