TOPAG approaches laser beam shaping from the laser source to your application
Our approach considers the complete optical system, from the laser source and beam path to the precise adaptation of the beam to your application, taking manufacturing feasibility into account. This system-level perspective makes it possible to combine efficiency, precision and functionality in a targeted way, for example in micromachining, spectroscopy, imaging, and sensing.
NIR - DUV
Broad wavelength range
CW to fs
For demanding applications
Standard optics
Available from stock
Custom optics & optical systems
Tailored and cost-effective
Benefits of Laser Beam Shaping
Improve measurement and processing results
Depending on the application, tailored beam profiles can improve signal-to-noise ratio, material removal performance, and other key parameters.
Accelerate your processes through parallelization
Diffractive beam splitters that are easy to integrate can help increase process efficiency.
Reduce the cost of your measurement or manufacturing process
Parallelization, improved material removal, and other beam-shaping effects can help reduce overall costs.
Enable new and innovative applications
Many advanced applications in laser materials processing and laser-based metrology would not be possible without beam shaping.
Key Considerations in Laser Beam Shaping
Our Process
Together, we clarify your requirements, from process needs to boundary conditions. We account for the laser source, beam path, and manufacturing constraints.
We evaluate suitable concepts throughout the optical setup. Key criteria include efficiency, feasibility, and integration.
You receive a clear, practical recommendation for an optimized setup, designed to be functional, feasible, and application-oriented.
Beam-Shaping Solutions for Your Applications
Top-Hat Beams
Uniform intensity distribution
Improved results
Beam Splitters
Generation of custom beam arrays
Higher throughput
Beam Samplers
Controlled beam sampling
Reliable beam monitoring
Depth of Focus
Extended depth of focus for your Gaussian beam
More robust process control
Custom Solutions
Tailored to your requirements
Flexible and cost-effective
Applications
Consistent Energy, Consistent Results
Beam shaping improves precision and repeatability in laser materials processing. A homogeneous top-hat profile distributes the energy evenly, prevents overheating, and reduces edge melting. This results in cleaner cuts, fewer rejects, and higher process quality, ideal for demanding applications.
Uniform Illumination
for Precise Imaging
Sample illumination is critical to image quality. Top-hat beam shapers can generate uniform illumination across the entire field of view, providing favorable conditions for high contrast and high dynamic range.
Precision Illumination
for Modulators
Display-based systems such as spatial light modulators (SLMs) enable flexible adaptation of beam profiles. An upstream top-hat beam shaper provides a uniform distribution of laser power across the display’s entire active area, helping to use the available laser power efficiently and improve image quality.
Anwendungen
Our Standard Beam-Shaping Optics
Top-Hat Beam-Shaping Optics for Homogenization
Focused Top-Hat Profiles
Precision at the Focus - Uniform Beam Profiles
Top-hat profiles produce a uniform intensity distribution across the beam area. This is important in laser processing and measurement applications where local variations would otherwise affect process quality or measurement repeatability. Depending on the required profile geometry and size, refractive and diffractive optics can generate the desired beam shape with a single optical element.
Millimeter-Scale Collimated Top-Hat Profiles
Uniform Intensity, Flat Phase Front
Some applications require a uniform intensity distribution across the full beam area, combined with an extended depth of focus or a flat phase front. Based on our focused beam-shaping designs, TOPAG can realize a broad range of millimeter-scale top-hat profiles with a flat phase front that can be maintained over extended propagation distances. This is relevant where a defined beam profile must remain usable over a larger working range.
Custom Beam-Shaping Solutions
Form follows function
Since developing our first focused beam shaper, we have worked with a wide range of target profiles and functional requirements. These range from Gaussian-to-donut transformations and long line profiles to triangular and rhombus-shaped profiles. Refractive and diffractive beam-shaping methods allow us to realize profile geometries tailored to the required optical function and integration conditions of your application.
Beam-Splitting Optics for Parallelization
1D Beam Splitting
One Beam. Parallel Processes.
Diffractive beam splitters divide the input beam into two or more output beams. This allows processes to be easily parallelized with a single optical element. The individual output beams retain the beam parameters of the input beam and, depending on the model, have separation angles from 100 µrad to 10°.
2D Beam-Splitting Array
More Spots. More Throughput.
With two-dimensional beam splitting, a single input beam can be converted into a complete array of output beams with uniform energy distribution. This allows processes to be highly parallelized with a single optical element while distributing laser power efficiently. Each output beam retains the same diameter, divergence, and beam quality as the input beam.
2D Beam-Splitting Array - Rotationally Symmetric Spot Geometry
Same Parameters. Any Direction.
Spot arrays with a rotationally symmetric distribution can increase the efficiency of many laser processing systems through parallel processing. At the same time, the spot geometry supports consistent processing parameters, independent of scan direction and workpiece orientation.
Custom Beam-Splitting Solutions
A Matrix of Possibilities
Our custom beam splitters enable individual spot patterns matched to the requirements of your application:
Options include uniform arrays, custom power distributions between spots, and combinations with top-hat or donut beam shapers. This allows the beam-splitting concept to be adapted to the required optical function and the integration conditions of your setup.
Beam Samplers
1D Beam Samplers
Power Under Control
Similar to 1D beam splitters, a beam sampler splits the input beam into several output beams. Since the sampled beams contain only a few per mille of the optical power, the laser process can continue with minimal loss while enabling online power monitoring.
Extended Depth of Focus
Greater Depth of Focus with Homogeneous Intensity
Longer Focus Range. Same Precision.
Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) with efficiencies close to 100% open up new degrees of freedom in beam shaping. By selectively redistributing the intensity of a Gaussian beam, the Rayleigh length can be significantly extended, allowing the beam to stay in near-constant focus over greater distances. This enables more stable processes, higher processing quality, and more precise energy delivery.
Application-Specific Design
Design for Your Application
More Functionality. Lower Follow-On Costs.
An application-specific beam-shaping system can open up options that are often difficult to achieve with conventional optics. Beyond improved process results, higher efficiency, and shorter processing times, a system designed around the application can also reduce follow-on costs from the outset. This includes optics, beam expanders, and the alignment effort that should not be underestimated.