LASER SYSTEMS AND OPTICAL DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING LASER BEAMS

• US 20160334618A1
• Filed: 03/11/2016
• Published: 11/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Idex Health & Science LLC (RELX PLC)
• Original Assignee: CVI Laser LLC
• Inventors: Hargis, David E., O'Shaughnessy, John
• Granted Patent: US 10,114,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6402 Atomic fluorescence; Laser induced fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0875 by means of one or more refracting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1006 for splitting or combining different wavelengths G02B27/1086, G02B27/141 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/141 using dichroic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/30 Collimators
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/005 Optical devices external to the laser cavity, specially adapted for lasers, e.g. for homogenisation of the beam or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping shaping laser beam for working metal or other materials B23K26/06; optical elements, systems or apparatus in general G02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0071 Beam steering, e.g. whereby a mirror outside the cavity is present to change the beam direction
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/027 comprising a special atmosphere inside the housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0405 Conductive cooling, e.g. by heat sinks or thermo-electric elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/2391 emitting at different wavelengths

Abstract

Various embodiments of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. The thermally stable enclosure is substantially made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as at least 5 W/(m K). The thermally stable enclosure can help maintain alignment of the laser beams to a target object over a range of ambient temperatures. Various embodiments of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some embodiments, the optical system includes a thermally conductive housing and a thermoelectric controller, a plurality of optical fibers, and one or more optical elements to direct light emitted by the optical fibers to illuminate a flow cell. The housing is configured to attach to a flow cell.

Claims

1-182. -182. (canceled)

183. A multi-laser system, comprising:

a laser outputting a laser beam; and

a beam adjusting system configured to adjust an angular position of the laser beam and direct the adjusted laser beam toward a target object, the beam adjusting system comprising at least one meniscus shaped optical element having a first surface and a second opposite surface,

wherein said meniscus shaped optical element is adjustable to adjust the angular position of the laser beam.

184. The system of claim 183, wherein the first and second surfaces comprises a first curved surface and a second curved surface opposite the first curved surface.

185. The system of claim 184, wherein the first surface is convex and the second surface is concave such that the convex surface receives the laser beam prior to the concave surface.

188. The system of claim 183, wherein the first and the second surface of the meniscus shaped optical element first are intersected by an optical axis.

191. The system of claim 188, wherein the beam adjusting system comprises a mechanical system configured to rotate the meniscus shaped optical element about two axes that are orthogonal to the optical axis.

192. The system of claim 191, wherein the two axes are orthogonal to each other.

194. The system of claim 188, wherein the beam adjusting system comprises a mechanical system configured to move the meniscus shaped optical element along an axis orthogonal to the optical axis.

200. The system of claim 183, wherein the meniscus shaped optical element has less than about 1 dioptres optical power.

205. The system of claim 183, wherein the target object comprises a flow cell.

206. The system of claim 183, wherein the laser beam is collimated at the target object.

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209. An optic system comprising:

a first lens for receiving a laser beam having a Gaussian beam profile, said first lens configured to alter the beam size of the laser beam in at least one direction;

a Powell lens configured to convert said laser beam that has a Gaussian beam profile into a laser beam having a flat top intensity distribution and an elongated cross-section orthogonal to propagation of the beam, said elongated cross-section having a length in a first direction that is longer than in a second orthogonal direction;

a second lens configured to collimate said laser beam at least in one direction;

a translation stage configured to receive a control signal that drives movement of said translation stage,

wherein said Powell lens is coupled to the translation stage such that the Powell lens can be translated with respect to said first and second lens in response to said control signal.

210. The system of claim 209, wherein the first lens is a negative lens and the second lens is a positive lens.

214. The system of claim 209, wherein the translation stage is configured to translate the Powell lens in a longitudinal direction either closer to the first lens and farther from the second lens or farther from the first lens and closer to the second lens in response to said control signal.

215. The system of claim 209, wherein the translation stage is configured to translate the Powell lens in a lateral direction in response to said control signal to adjust angular direction of the laser beam to reduce boresight error, and/or to adjust the centration of the laser beam, and/or to adjust an intensity profile of an output flat top line beam.

216. The system of claim 209, wherein

the translation stage comprises at least one actuator configured to move said translator in response to said control signal.

218. The system of claim 209, further comprising a detector disposed to receive said laser beam after being output by said group of first and second lenses having the Powell lens therebetween, said detector disposed to receive an image of the cross-sectional shape and intensity distribution of the laser beam.

219. The system of claim 218, further comprising a beam splitter that receives said laser beam and splits said laser beam into at least one beam that is directed to said detector.

220. The system of claim 219, further comprising a control system including an image processing unit, wherein the control system is configured to provide the control signal to adjust translation of the translation stage based on analysis by the image processing unit of the image received by the detector.

221. The system of claim 209, further comprising a control system configured to receive input from a user, wherein the control system is configured to provide the control signal to adjust translation of the translation stage based on the input from the user.

223. The system of claim 221, further comprising a display configured to display a representation of an image of the cross-sectional shape and/or intensity distribution of the laser beam for said user to view to determine whether the translation stage is to be translated.

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