About This Webinar
Non-chromatic aberrations in laser systems can be compensated using a single custom-manufactured freeform optical element, without the requirement for rotational symmetry. There are often cases in which this approach makes more practical and economical sense than specifying highly tolerance optic and optomechanical components that comprise the assembly. These components then require highly tolerance positioning and permanent fixturing. Many laser systems — whether they are for industrial, biomedical, or defense applications — are designed to create a well-defined output spot or beam; this is required for the laser process to be as efficient, productive, and effective as possible. Optical aberrations in the laser system (pointing, defocus, spherical, astigmatic, coma, etc.) come from a variety of sources and affect the extent to which the actual output spot (or beam) deviates from that of the design intent of the system. To compensate for aberrations, it is vital to make appropriate measurements of the aberrations, and then ideally represent them as Zernike coefficients. Then, it is possible to design a freeform surface — using refractive principles — as a freeform aberration compensator. If the freeform surface can be designed and manufactured with a fast turnaround, the aberration compensator can be regarded as an “in-build” solution. By making the freeform in fused silica using a precision direct write laser machining process, it demonstrates the manufacture and testing of aberration compensators that have extremely low scatter and low loss. These fused silica freeform aberration compensators can therefore be used in either extreme high-power applications, e.g., laser inertial fusion, or extremely sensitive low-light applications, e.g., fluorescence microscopy and cytometry.
Non-chromatic aberrations in laser systems can be compensated in a cost-effective way, using a single custom-manufactured freeform optical element. Any combination of pointing, defocus, spherical, astigmatic, coma, and other higher-order aberrations can be compensated. Making this freeform in fused silica with a precision direct write laser machining process enables an in-line manufacturing solution that pushes the boundary of optical performance in applications ranging from laser inertial fusion to fluorescence microscopy.
Who should attend:
R&D scientists, engineers, and manufacturers who are within production, test and measurement, quality control, and consultant fields. Those who work in aerospace, astronomy, biophotonics, defense, energy, medical, medicine, ophthalmology, and semiconductors. Those who work with coatings, detectors and sensors, laser accessories, lasers or laser systems, LEDs and other light sources, microscopy, and optical components.
About the presenter:
Dr. Stephen Kidd is head of sales and marketing for PowerPhotonic. In this global role, Kidd leads the sales team in its function to maintain strong sales growth through the identification of customers' challenges or problems that have a significant potential gain — technical and commercial — from using freeform wafer scale optics. Prior to PowerPhotonic, Kidd had a leading role in industrial laser sales and business development for JK Laser, through its transition to SPI Lasers and ultimately TRUMPF. He has always worked in photonics, using a mix of technical and commercial knowledge. He completed his academic studies with a Ph.D. in fiber optics from Heriot-Watt University.
About the sponsor:
PowerPhotonic are industry-leading experts in high-precision, low-loss fused silica optics for beam/image optimization. PowerPhotonic designs, manufactures, and validates beam shaping and image-enhancing optics for the most demanding applications in laser materials processing, medicine, life sciences, laser projection displays, defense and science, and data communications. Our LightForge™ micro-optic fabrication service allows optical designers to create their own bespoke optical surface and have the fabricated part shipped in as little as two weeks.