Patent ID: 6459071
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A laser beam generating assembly for producing a laser beam with a rotating polarization vector comprising:(a) a laser resonator for generating a linearly polarized laser beam; and (b) a laser beam forming device including (i) a delay plate having the plane of its reflective surface oriented at an angle of 45Â° to the vertical; and (ii) a plurality of beam-forming optical elements in the beam path prior to said delay plate and having reflective surfaces angularly oriented to orient the polarization plane of the laser beam at an angle of 45Â° to the plane of incidence defined by the normal vector to the plane of the reflective surface of the delay plate and the oriented laser beam incident thereon, said delay plate redirecting the beam in a vertical direction and imparting a rotating polarization vector thereto.