Square top-hat and round top-hat laser beam shaping with Multi-Plane Light Conversion for femtosecond laser material microprocessing

Authors: Clément Jacquard², Girolamo Mincuzzi¹, Marc Faucon¹, Aurélien Sikora¹, Rainer Kling¹, Gwenn Pallier², Nicolas Laurenchet², Pu Jian², Olivier Pinel², Guillaume Labroille²

¹ALPhANOV (France)
²Cailabs (France)

Abstract

Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) is an innovative shaping technique which allows theoretically lossless complex beam shapes. The free-space reflective design is particularly well suited to Ultra-Short Pulse (USP) laser-based processes challenges. We demonstrate the system high stability over long processing times thanks to a mode cleaning feature. Here we show micro-cutting and engraving tests carried out on stainless-steel and brass with a high power, industrial, USP laser having squared, and circular top-hat profile generated using MPLC technology. Thanks to the sharp edges of the profile, a sensible reduction of the taper and optimization of the overlapping is observed.