Patent ID: 6856634

Claim:
A laser machining apparatus comprising: a semiconductor stack comprising a plurality of semiconductor laser elements which emit laser beams, the semiconductor stack being divided into a plurality of blocks from which irradiation output of the laser beams is outputted; a controller for controlling the irradiation output of the laser beam from each of the blocks so that the irradiation output of the laser beam from each of the blocks is changeable in terms of time; and a plurality of power sources each connected to a respective one of the blocks for supplying electric power to the respective block; wherein the plurality of blocks includes a block which continuously irradiates the laser beam and a block in which the irradiation output of the laser beam is changed in terms of time, and the block in which the irradiation output of the laser beam is changed in terms of time includes a plurality of blocks in which the respective irradiation output of the laser beam is changed in terms of time, the blocks in which the respective irradiation output of the laser beam is changed in terms of time being arranged to at least partially surround the block which continuously irradiates the laser beam.