Haas Laser Technologies has introduced its TLC Objective optic for passively compensating for thermal lensing effects associated with high power collimators and focusing lenses. Using special optical materials and design, thermal lensing for lasers with powers in excess of 1kW is reduced to less than the Rayleigh range of the lens design.
The TLC Objective is capable of balancing the temperature coefficient of refractive index (dn/dT) between two or more optical materials, optimising thicknesses, air spacing, and curvatures to mitigate thermal lensing at all temperatures. The company states that its TLC Objective stays in focus from the moment the laser is first turned on to when it is turned off.