Patent ID: 9036247
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. A method of laser processing with a thermally stabilized acousto-optic beam deflector, said method comprising the steps of: generating a sequence of RF pulses corresponding to a sequence of laser pulses having a laser pulse repetition rate, the RF pulses including transmitting RF pulses at transmitting RF frequencies and non-transmitting RF pulses at non-transmitting RF frequencies for causing the sequence of laser pulses to be deflected in respective transmitting and non-transmitting directions, each RF pulse comprising an RF frequency, an RF amplitude, and a duration; controlling each RF pulse such that the sequence of RF pulses provides a modulated RF drive signal that is modulated to provide a balanced thermal loading on the acousto-optic deflector, wherein the amplitude and duration of each RF pulse is controlled; applying the modulated RE drive signal to the acousto-optic deflector; and deflecting at least one laser pulse with the acousto-optic deflector using the modulated RF drive signal to irradiate a selected target position with a predetermined pulse energy.