One-Dimensional Reflective Diffuser for Line Beam Shaper with Microlens Array Homogenizer

Abstract

A laser beam shaping architecture based on a microlens array homogenizer has been exploited, in which the interference effect due to the coherency of the laser source deteriorates the uniformity. Moving diffusers have been considered as an effective way of averaging out the interference pattern. Because the uniformity is required in the line direction only, a one-dimensional reflective-type diffuser with a well-controlled diffusion angle has been proposed and prototyped. The diffuser is attached onto a rotating cylinder for movement in operation. The experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of the scheme, and a line beam with a uniformity of up to 92% has been achieved. (C) 2014 The Japan Society of Applied Physics