11-kW direct diode laser system with homogenized 55 × 20 mm²Top-Hat intensity distribution

Abstract

In comparison with other laser systems diode lasers are characterized by a unique overall efficiency, a small footprint and high reliability. However, one major drawback of direct diode laser systems is the inhomogeneous intensity distribution in the far field. Furthermore the output power of current commercially available systems is limited to about 6 kW. We report on a diode laser system with 11 kW output power at a single wavelength of 940 nm aiming for customer specific large area treatment. To the best of our knowledge this is the highest output power reported so far for a direct diode laser system. In addition to the high output power the intensity distribution of the laser beam is homogenized in both axes leading to a 55 x 20 mm² Top-Hat intensity profile at a working distance of 400 mm. Homogeneity of the intensity distribution is better than 90%. The intensity in the focal plane is 1 kW/cm². We will present a detailed characterization of the laser system, including measurements of power, power stability and intensity distribution of the homogenized laser beam. In addition we will compare the experimental data with the results of non-sequential raytracing simulations.

Comparison of Finite Element analysis and experimental results of a combustion chamber type TMF panel test

“…The remaining options are high power lamps (available as metal halide arc lamps or tungsten wire lamps § up to 24 kW and as xenon arc lamps up to 30 kW) and high power laser systems, available on a variety of wave lengths. The heating device of the TMF test facility at DLR Lampoldshausen was designed and built by DILAS Diodenlaser GmbH [4], [5]. The key technical parameters of this diode laser are given in Table 3.…”

A combined optical-thermal model for near-infrared laser heating of thermoplastic composites in an automated tape placement process

“…It can be seen that there is good agreement with the compensated measurement, however the peak temperature and consolidation temperature is predicted to be higher by 7%. This difference can be attributed to the power stability of the source (specified as ±2% over 2 h for the source in this study) and losses throughout the optical system (%5%) [26]. We therefore reduce the laser power in the model to 1056 W, and it can be seen that there is an excellent agreement, with slightly higher temperatures predicted for the first half of the heating profile and a slightly lower temperatures towards the nip point.…”

Development and thermal management of 10kW CW, direct diode laser source

“…Diode laser stacks are chosen as the typical laser sources for laser cladding applications [12]. The output power of one diode laser stack composed by numerous diode laser bars can reach several kilowatts.…”