Programmable 2D laser marking device based on a pulsed UV image coherent amplifier

Thierry Lamarque; Ralf Nicolaus; Brigitte Loiseaux; Jean-Pierre Huignard; Gintas Slekys; Jingjun Xu

doi:10.1117/12.540607

18 November 2003 Programmable 2D laser marking device based on a pulsed UV image coherent amplifier

Thierry Lamarque, Ralf Nicolaus, Brigitte Loiseaux, Jean-Pierre Huignard, Gintas Slekys, Jingjun Xu

Proceedings Volume 5063, Fourth International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540607
Event: Fourth International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication, 2003, Munich, Germany

Abstract

We present a novel technique for engraving microscopic 2D patterns in one step with a UV pulsed laser by means of a versatile programmable approach. The laser beam is divided to an expanded low energy signal beam which is spatially modulated by a LCD modulator and a higher energy pump beam with a plane homogeneous wave front. Both beams are superposed in a highly magnesium doped photorefractive lithium-niobate crystal where an energy transfer towards the weaker signal beam takes place. The spatially modulated and amplified signal beam is then de-magnified and imaged onto the surface where the image has to be engraved. The need for the coherent amplifier rises out of the fact that LCDs are unable to withstand the high energy throughput required for etching. The combination of the amplifier with the amplitude modulator leads to a faster and more flexible solution than laser marking with pixel-by-pixel raster-scan, or fixed mask projection mode. Such a technique can thus be applied to identify valuable items by imprinting a smart and personalized 2D code onto its surface.

Citation Download Citation

Thierry Lamarque, Ralf Nicolaus, Brigitte Loiseaux, Jean-Pierre Huignard, Gintas Slekys, and Jingjun Xu "Programmable 2D laser marking device based on a pulsed UV image coherent amplifier", Proc. SPIE 5063, Fourth International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication, (18 November 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540607

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