beam expanders/muliple lasers

[zxn474l]

Can a beam expander bring multiple very close beams to ONE focal point concentrating 4 beams to a variable focal point to a one diameter spot?

 

[Krutz]

that wont work, the relative distance will be the same. for example, two 5mm beams, distance of5mm in between and perfectly parallel to each other. the two focused dots might for example be 0.1mm small,but it would still be two 0.1mm dots with a 0.1mm distance in between. which is good enough for burning ;-)

there is no way to have real combined beams except to combine two (and not more) with either a polarizing cube (or filter) or a dichro (unlimited number of beams, but each beam a different wavelength, actually)

manuel

 

[andy_con]

with the right optics yes it is possible to combine multi beams into one single beam. but a beam expander isnt right.

 

[zxn474l]

KRUTZ, thats what I'm trying to get a hotter burning laser, not a technical single beam...so in this example with closely placed true parallel beams the "focal point" would be consintrating all the individual beams to a very tiny mm spot right? Also being an adjustable focal point and not "fixed" like a magnifining glass at a set single focal point right?!

 

[Krutz]

yes, for burning it will be better. not as good as two beams really overlapping, but much better than only one beam. for getting them close together, mirrors work best.
for a fixed setup, where the dot stays at the same place, you could as well install several lasers, with all focused dots at the same point. they wouldnt be on one spot when moving the setup or distance to the burning object, but that way you could put as many dots as you like exactly on each other..

you should get protective googles! both for security as well as for tuning, you dont see much with such much light, and easily have a double as large dot when you think its perfectly focussed.. which "loses" 3/4 of the power (-density)..

keep us updated how it goes!

manuel

 

[KGB_Productions]

Give this thread a read.... I think that this is the BEST way with the nicest beam, even though it isn't that great of a beam its still better than what you are talking about using.

Quad RED module, home made, miniature size - Photonlexicon

 

[andy_con]

the above will still give you two beams side by side

this is how you get a single beam

 

[KGB_Productions]

YES......That is what I was really looking for but couldn't find that thread.

 

[andy_con]

combining 4 beams using just a cube is fine but you get two beams side by side. works fine and may do this but you do get a double beam

 

[Benm]

Indeed, these cubes can only be used to truely combine 2 beams into one. Tricks with mirrors can work in practical setups though... it will not actually combine any beams, but align them close enough to look as such.

 

[andy_con]

Indeed, these cubes can only be used to truely combine 2 beams into one. Tricks with mirrors can work in practical setups though... it will not actually combine any beams, but align them close enough to look as such.

not true, other wise the final beam would not be usable - to big

its combines them into one usable beam