Patent ID: 7027199
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: B23K,G02F,H01S

Abstract:
1. A method for harmonizing amplitude or energy of a plurality of consecutive laser output pulses directed at a workpiece, comprising: generating a plurality of consecutive laser pulses along a beam path that impinges a workpiece at a beam position, the plurality of consecutive laser pulses having amplitudes or energies that vary significantly; propagating the plurality of consecutive laser pulses through an AOM positioned along the beam path to provide a plurality of consecutive laser output pulses; diverting a portion of each of the plurality of consecutive laser output pulses to an amplitude or energy detector; conveying information concerning the amplitude or energy of each of the plurality of consecutive laser output pulses directly or indirectly to an AOM controller; and modulating an RF signal applied to the AOM to affect the amplitude or energy of a given one of the plurality of consecutive laser output pulses in response to the information concerning the amplitude or energy of one or more of the plurality of consecutive laser output pulses preceding the given one of the plurality of consecutive laser output pulses.