The new Jenoptik Light & Optics division, whose primary focus is supplying photonics solutions, showcased its new strategy at Photonics West in San Francisco, California, at the start of the month. The division intends to position itself as an international OEM partner for customer-specific solutions from concept creation through to series production.
The Light & Optics division highlighted its latest innovations for laser material processing at the show. It was showcasing its new technology demonstrator for 3D laser material processing as an extension to its motorised beam expander product range, F-theta lenses for additive laser processes, a broad selection of highly efficient micro-optics, high-power 275-watt diode lasers, and advanced 1,060-nanometer semiconductor lasers.
Fast Focusing Module (FFM) for 3D laser material processing
Just a year after launching the motorised beam expander BEX-M onto the market, Jenoptik announced its expansion of the motorised optical systems range with the addition of its line of fast focusing products.
The new Fast Focusing Module (FFM) for use in laser production systems complements Jenoptik solutions for 3D laser material processing. Adjustable in its focus position, the new FFM is highly dynamic and can align the laser spot in Z-direction, hence three dimensions of the processing area can be addressed. To do this, the FFM needs to be used in conjunction with a 2D beam deflector (galvanometer scanner). The new concept approach of the FFM is a response to the industry's demand for even more efficient optical systems for 3D laser material processing.
The system enables three-dimensional processing of materials with heterogeneous surfaces, for example for microstructuring, for deep engraving or drilling with high aspect ratios, for laser cutting, and for marking and labelling different materials. For applications that do not require F-theta lenses, the FFM is able to offset the field of curvature and thus magnify the processing area when used in combination with the galvanometer scanner.
The FFM has been specifically designed to work with Jenoptik’s own F-theta lenses but can also be used with other beam guidance systems.
New F-theta Lenses for additive laser production
Jenoptik has added two new lenses to the F-Theta-JENarTM Silverline lens series for high-power applications. With a focal length of 423 millimetres and a large scan field of 254 x 254 millimetres, the new lenses meet the requirements necessary for additive manufacturing processes such as 3D sintering.
They are designed for applications with fibre lasers from 1,030 to 1,080 nanometres and diode lasers from 900 to 1100 nanometres at outputs of up to 6 kilowatts. The high-quality materials and the low-absorption optical coatings (absorption is less than 5 ppm), ensure permanently stable beam quality with the highest spot performance.
In high-power application tests with lasers up to 6 kilowatts a minimum focus shift in fractions of the Rayleigh length was detected. These outstanding properties also ensure that production processes remain reliable and that the results will remain reproducible.
The F-theta lens range from Jenoptik fulfils the requirements of almost all standard methods for micro and macro material laser processing. Jenoptik’s F-theta series lenses are extremely robust and do not require additional cooling, even at high laser powers. The adhesive-free mounting technology also contributes to the long-term stability of high-performance optics, and also provides long-lasting investment security.
Extremely versatile customer-specific micro-optics
Customer-specific micro-optics from Jenoptik direct and shape laser light in optical systems for laser material processing, inspection, and lithography applications as well as pulse compression applications in a highly accurate and targeted manner. With modern production technologies and expertise gained from decades of experience, we are able to produce application-specific optical elements from UV to IR in series. The use of high-quality optical glass materials in conjunction with complex micro-optics structures ensures unbeatable accuracy and optimum efficiency.
Jenoptik's diffractive optical elements, such as optical gratings, diffusers, beam combiners, and homogenisers, guarantee results that are accurate to the nanometre, even at high laser powers in the kilowatt range. They are optimised in their zeroth diffraction order and the quality of the structures and optical coatings guarantees long-term stability. The micro-optical structures are used in laser systems for processing different materials, but also in medical technology, for virtual reality applications, and in telecommunications.
Pulse Compression Grating for 800nm applications and Beam Combiner for diode lasers
In the field of optical gratings, Jenoptik is gradually expanding its portfolio for various wavelengths and applications. The company is introducing new encapsulated pulse compression gratings for 800 nanometre applications, including scientific setups in spectrometry, laser pumping, lithography, and inspection applications. The gratings are optimised in transmission and wavefront deformation, and reach an efficiency higher than 99 percent. The gratings remain thermally stable even at high powers. Thanks to the encapsulation, contamination can be easily eliminated. Jenoptik is set to introduce new enhanced efficiency beam for diode laser applications. In addition to the classic pulse compression in femtosecond lasers and laser material processing applications, the e² (efficiency-enhanced) gratings are designed for use in telecommunications.
Multifocus Diffractive Elements
Jenoptik offers its customers application-specific multifocus elements, for example with 3, 5, 7 or 9 spots. These allow fast and efficient laser cutting in different layers of the substrate simultaneously, because of the accurate separations and energy distribution between the different spots. The optical design of the multifocus elements allows for a wide range of applications through to 3D material processing.
Diffractive Diffusers with Large Opening Angle
Jenoptik diffusers allow an opening angle of more than 80 degrees. They are therefore particularly beneficial for sensor applications with Lidar, or VR/AR applications, since they ensure a homogeneous beam over the entire scan field. This can be achieved with different angles in the X and Y direction and with a very high aspect ratio.
New Diode Laser with 275-watt output for laser material processing
Jenoptik also presented its latest development in the field of high-power laser sources for industrial material processing, and in particular for direct diode laser applications. The new diode laser with passive cooling impresses with its extremely high output power of 275 watts and long service life in both CW and hard pulse applications. This represents a significant increase in output power compared to products which had been available on the market up to now. Jenoptik has succeeded in combining important advancements in connection technology with an innovative approach to heat management to guarantee reliability under hard pulse conditions, even with such high output power.
The benefits are obvious: For manufacturers of laser systems in the kilowatt range, the complexity and costs of plants and systems are reduced due to fewer diode lasers being used. End users profit from both increased productivity and outstanding processing results thanks to the combination of high output power and excellent beam quality.
