Intensity Distribution Of Beam Research Articles

Generation of the flat-top beam using convolutional neural networks and Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm

Abstract Laser technology has made rapid progress in recent years and has been widely used in various fields such as medicine, biology, military, and materials science. However, the limitations of traditional Gaussian intensity distribution of the laser beams in applications have prompted the emergence and development of flat-top beam shaping technology, which has received widespread attention. Here, we introduce a new method for generating flat-top beams that combines the traditional Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm with convolutional neural networks, using spatial light modulators to achieve flat-top beam shaping. A comparative analysis was conducted by comparing the root mean square error and diffraction efficiency of the generated flat-top beam with the results obtained using only the traditional Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm. Compared with the traditional Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm, the method proposed in this paper can generate a flat-top beam with smaller differences from the target light intensity and higher energy utilization, providing new possibilities for the application of laser technology.

Propagation properties of two types of sinc Schell-model beams in oceanic turbulence

Abstract The evolution of two types of sinc Schell-model (SSM) beams, each considered with both circular and rectangular symmetries, is investigated during their propagation in oceanic turbulence. The expressions for the spectral intensity and spectral coherence of the transmitted optical field are derived using the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle. Based on these expressions, numerical simulations are carried out to explore how source and turbulence parameters influence the transmitted field. The results demonstrate that the spectral intensity distribution of the SSM1 beam evolves from an initial Gaussian profile into a circular or rectangular flat-topped shape during propagation, while the SSM2 beam develops into a ring-shaped or array-like pattern. As the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy decreases, or the mean square temperature dissipation rate and the strength of temperature and salinity fluctuations increase, the energy of these beams disperses from its concentrated regions to the surrounding areas, causing the characteristic intensity distributions to become blurred. Additionally, the coherence of these beams exhibits oscillatory distributions, with the SSM2 beam showing stronger oscillations compared to the SSM1 beam and displaying greater sensitivity to changes in turbulence parameters. The intensity and coherence distributions are also affected by source parameters, which play a dominant role at shorter propagation distances. However, as the distance increases, turbulence parameters gradually become the primary influence. The results presented here may be applied to oceanic optical communication and remote sensing.

Influence of intensity distributions on the process dynamics during laser deep penetration welding of pure nickel with a flexible ring mode laser source

Current research results demonstrate the potential of spatter reduction in laser deep penetration welding by using adapted laser beam intensity distributions between a ring and a core intensity. The spatter-reducing effect, resulting from the additional ring intensity, is often attributed to an enlarged keyhole opening. However, it remains a matter of debate how exactly an additional ring intensity influences the process. This study, therefore, investigates the effect of an increasing ring intensity on process dynamics and the spatter formation regime. Laser beam welding experiments were carried out on 2.4068 nickel hidden T-joints at different welding speeds of up to 16 m/min, as well as different intensity distributions, while maintaining a constant weld depth. The tests were evaluated by using two high-speed cameras from different angles to analyze spatter and their formation mechanisms as well as the keyhole opening. Metallographic analyses and x-ray images were used to determine influences on the seam shape and porosity. It was shown that a change in intensity distribution has a significant influence on the melt flow, the resulting amount of spatter, and the porosity, which is comparable across the investigated welding speeds. While a core-based power distribution leads to spatter formation on the rear of the keyhole opening, it was shown that a ring-based power distribution leads to spatter formation on both sides of the keyhole. With an optimal power distribution, spatter formation could be largely prevented. Based on these findings, the single wave regime, a stabilized regime, and a lateral spatter regime were identified.

Revealing the propagation dynamic of a Laguerre-Gaussian beam with two Bohm-like theories

By employing x-Bohm theory and p-Bohm theory, we construct the position and momentum trajectories of single-mode and superposed-mode Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams. The dependence of divergence velocity and rotation velocity on the initial position and propagation distance is quantified, indicating that LG beams exhibit subluminal effects, even in free space. Additionally, we clarify the formation of the petal-shaped intensity distribution of the superposed-mode LG beam in terms of motion trajectory, where the particle-like trajectory and wave-like interference are “simultaneously” observed. Our work provides an intuitive way to visualize the propagation characteristics of LG beams and deepen the comprehension of Bohm-like theory.

Model-based wavefront measurement and compensation in atmospheric turbulence.

The model-based method can measure phase aberration without special wavefront detectors. However, the influence of non-uniform beam intensity distribution was not considered, leading to non-negligible system errors. Moreover, no experiments were employed to verify its capability and practicability in atmospheric turbulence. This paper proposes the aberrated pupil method, which can enhance the accuracy of phase recovery by introducing an aberrated pupil function into the traditional model-based method. The effectiveness of the model-based phase measurement and compensation method was experimentally investigated and verified in the application of free-space optical communication. Compared with the traditional model-based method, the aberrated pupil method can reduce the coupling power loss caused by turbulence from 2.59 to 0.87 dB, resulting in a reduction of 1.72 dB. With coherent communication experiments, the model-based phase recovery method significantly improved the communication power budget by about 13.5 dB. The proposed method can measure and compensate for the phase aberration to significantly improve the communication quality of free-space optical communication.

Cumulant method for identifying spatial distributions of laser beam intensity

The article considers the identification of spatial distributions of laser beam intensity, which is of significant practical importance for laser developers when certifying radiation sources. As an identification parameter, a measure of similarity of the measured axisymmetric distributions of laser radiation intensity with a given Gaussian distribution is proposed and investigated. To determine this measure, it is not necessary to first find the beam width at the waist. A mathematical apparatus for identification based on the use of cumulants of spatial intensity distributions is developed. A feature of the method is a limited number of cumulants of the Gaussian distribution, which makes it attractive for practical application. A comparative analysis of a number of two-dimensional distributions with a Gaussian distribution is carried out and it is shown that even with a small number of measured cumulants, high sensitivity of the method to the shapes of intensity distributions is ensured. A similarity measure for continuous one- dimensional intensity distributions of arbitrary shape is presented. The asymmetry measure of two-dimensional spatial distributions of laser beam intensity based on the ratio of moments and cumulants of the fourth and second orders is considered. The proposed measure of similarity of the measured axisymmetric intensity distributions with the Gaussian distribution is an alternative to the well-known propagation coefficient M 2 and can be used together with this coefficient.

Laser cutting using dynamically modulated intensity distribution

The precise control of the laser beam intensity distribution facilitates the optimization of laser processing performance. This not only presents opportunities for enhancing the process efficiency but also proves advantageous in scenarios where the same laser power level is employed, surpassing traditional methods. This study introduces a novel approach by dynamically modulating the laser beam profile to achieve a non-symmetrical intensity distribution. A detailed investigation into the laser cutting process using modulated beam intensities is conducted by employing a high-speed imaging system. Moreover, the maximum cutting speed, cut edge quality, and cut kerf geometries are evaluated when different strategies are applied. The results demonstrate a noticeable improvement in the cut edge quality compared to a static beam strategy (SBS) and the recently developed conventional dynamic beam shaping (DBS). In addition to laser cutting, examples of such modulation in laser welding and hardening are proposed. This innovative technique offers promising advancements in the field of laser processing.

Automatic segmentation of microporous defects in composite film materials based on the improved attention U-Net module

ABSTRACT Composite film materials offer several advantages, such as high strength-to-weight ratios, flexibility, durability, or cost-effectiveness, which make them ideal for a wide range of applications across various industries. However, microporous defects in the material compromise its durability and air-tightness. Thus far, few works have been performed on inquiring non-destructive testing methods intended for the detection of microporous defects in composite film materials. In this study, the automatic detection of microporous defects is achieved by using a thermal imaging inspection system developed on the basis of a laser infrared system and the U-Net. Innovatively, an improved attention module is added to U-Net to boost its detection performance. While using a laser as a heat source, a fibre laser beam shaper is chosen as the laser beam expansion to ensure a uniform intensity distribution of the laser beam within a small heating area. Experimental results show that the proposed method can reliably detect microporous defects in the composite film materials with sizes in the order of millimeters/micrometers.

Watt-level cladding-pumped bismuth-doped fiber laser operating near 1.31 [formula omitted]m

We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first CW bismuth-doped fiber laser operating at around 1.31 μm with an output power of >1 W utilizing a cladding-pumping configuration with multimode semiconductor laser diodes emitting at a wavelength of 793 nm. The Bi-doped fiber (BDF) serving as an active medium of the laser was based on a pedestal-index design, where P2O5−SiO2 glass core surrounded by P-doped cladding. The BDF construction offers advanced gain characteristics and an increased mode size (∼13 μm). The fiber preform was fabricated by the conventional modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) method combined with all gas-phase doping technique. The BDF with low-index polymer coating provided sufficient cladding peak absorption at 750 nm belonging to bismuth active centers associated with phosphorus atoms (BACs-P) that allowed to develop a continuous-wave laser with a linear cavity configuration and enable a maximum slope efficiency of ∼ 4% with respect to the absorbed pump power. In addition, near-field spatial intensity distribution of optical beam has good quality (M2<1.13) and close to Gaussian mode profile in x and y directions. The perspectives for optimization of BDF design and laser system configurations based on such fibers for further power scaling are discussed.

Talbot phenomenon in binary optical gratings under Gaussian illumination

Binary optical gratings are used in applications such as optical metrology. Due to the fact, that self-imaging phenomenon depends on the grating fill factor, in present work the effect of fill factor on Talbot image formation has been analyzed when the grating is illuminated with a Gaussian beam. A model based on Fresnel regime is used to determine the intensity distribution in the near field. Self-images are obtained under different initial beam conditions and it is found several regimes of the effect of Gaussian beam intensity distribution on the self-images are found: (I) decreasing intensity of grating slit at the beam border when Gaussian waist radius is 10 times greater than grating period, (II) transforming binary-like self-image to the cosine-like one in case when Gaussian waist radius ranges from 2 to 5 grating periods, and (III) disappearing regular grating structure when Gaussian waist radius is less than grating period. Additionally it is analyzed transform from Fresnel to Fraunhofer regime in case of Gaussian beam and effect of wavefront curvature radius value on the distance where different regimes appear.

Unveiling Spatiotemporal Diffusion of Hot Carriers Influenced by Spatial Nonuniform Hot Phonon Bottleneck Effect in Monolayer MoS2.

The exceptional semiconducting properties of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have made them highly promising for the development of future electronic and optoelectronic devices. Extensive studies of TMDs are partly associated with their ability to generate 2D-confined hot carriers above the conduction band edges, enabling potential applications that rely on such transient excited states. In this work, room-temperature spatiotemporal hot carrier dynamics in monolayer MoS2 is studied by transient absorption microscopy (TAM), featuring an initial ultrafast expansion followed by a rapid negative diffusion, and ultimately a slow long-term expansion of the band edge C-excitons. We provide direct experimental evidence to identify the abnormal negative diffusion process as a spatial contraction of the hot carriers resulting from spatial variation in the hot phonon bottleneck effect due to the Gaussian intensity distribution of the pump laser beam.

Measurement of the electron beam profile by the multiangle scanning method

Nowadays, ionizing radiation beams with relatively large transverse dimensions are widely used not only for research purposes but also in technological processes related to metal and food treatment, as well as medical instrument sterilization. Thus, control of beam characteristics is required, and in particular, the intensity distribution in the transverse plane must be accurately measured. The multiangle scanning method, based on mathematical transformations, allows overcoming the limitations of modern detectors used for these purposes. In this study, the method was applied to an electron beam. A detection system based on scintillating fiber was used. The beam profile was measured using the proposed method and a conventional detector — a film dosimeter. Experimental results allowto conclude that the beam intensity distribution obtained using the multiangle scanning method is close to the results obtained using a film dosimeter, which is most often used in medical institutions. Thus, we can consider the multiangle scanning method as an effective approach for determining the intensity distribution of an electron beam.

Symmetric and asymmetric Tricomi-Gaussian beams in a gradient-index medium

In this paper, the propagation dynamics of the Tricomi-Gaussian Beam (TGB) in a gradient-index medium is studied. Influences of various beam parameters, the gradient-refractive index coefficient, and vortices on the propagation of TGB are investigated thoroughly. The research is mainly on the transmission characteristics of TGB with different modes, including symmetric and asymmetric patterns. Notably, the manipulations of beam modes, propagation trajectory, and intensity distribution of TGB by varying beam parameters α and β are explored. In addition, the autofocusing properties of TGB under off-axis conditions are investigated, which could find potential applications in optical trapping, laser energy focusing, and photonic waveguiding.

Twisted splitting and propagation factor of superimposed twisted Hermite-Gaussian Schell-model beams in turbulent atmosphere

We believe this to be a new superposition twisted Hermite-Gaussian Schell-model (STHGSM) beam hat is proposed. Analytic formulas for the intensity distribution and propagation factor of the STHGSM beam in non-Kolmogorov turbulence are derived by utilizing the generalized Huygens-Fresnel principle (HFP) and the Wigner function. The evolution characteristics of STHGSM beams propagating are numerically calculated and analyzed. Our findings indicate that the light intensity of the STHGSM beam gradually undergoes splitting and rotation around the axis during propagation through non-Kolmogorov turbulence, eventually evolving into a diagonal lobe shape at a certain distance of transmission. The anti-turbulence capability of the beam strengthens with higher beam order or twist factor values.

Simulation of the reflection of a high energy laser beam at the sea surface for hazard and risk analyses

The application of a high energy laser beam in a maritime scenario necessitates a laser safety concept to prevent injury to personnel or uninvolved third parties from uncontrolled reflections of laser light from the sea surface. Therefore, it is crucial to have knowledge of the amount and direction of reflected laser energy, which varies statistically and depends largely on the dynamics of the wavy sea surface. These dynamics are primarily influenced by wind speed, wind direction, and fetch. An analytical model is presented for calculating the time-averaged spatial intensity distribution of the laser beam reflected at the dynamic sea surface. The model also identifies the hazard areas inside which laser intensities exceed a fixed exposure limit. Furthermore, as far as we know, our model is unique in its ability to calculate the probabilities of potentially eye-damaging glints for arbitrary observer positions, taking into account the slope statistics of gravity waves. This is a critical first step toward an extensive risk analysis. The simulation results are presented on a hemisphere of observer positions with fixed radii from the laser spot center. The advantage of the analytical model over our numeric (dynamic) model is its fast computation time. A comparison of the results of our new analytical model with those of the previous numerical model is presented.

Research on high precision time-frequency transmission under low available bandwidth based on free space optical communication with special beam

As a powerful supplement to the wireless communication, free space optical (FSO) communication has many advantages, but the high-precision time-frequency transmission based on FSO communication is limited by complex equipment factors, especially under the condition of limited communication bandwidth. In this paper, a high-precision frequency transfer system based on a tunable optical field is established. Theoretical analysis yields the detection probability and intensity distribution of Bessel beams. In experiments, Bessel beams generated through optical field modulation exhibit enhanced laser data communication capabilities, achieving high-precision frequency transfer at 2e-12@1s, 3.3e-14@1000s,. This research introduces a novel approach for designing and optimizing frequency transfer methods between smaller platforms in the future.

Archimedes spiral beam: composite of a helical-axicon generated Bessel beam and a Gaussian beam

This paper introduces a structured beam with Archimedes spiral intensity distribution. The Archimedes spiral (AS) beam is the composite of a helical-axicon generated (HAG) Bessel beam and a Gaussian (GS) beam. We observed the spiral intensity patterns using computational holography, achieving the tuning over spiral arms number and spiral spacing. Analyzing the propagation dynamics of AS beams, we present that the spiral intensity will reverse beyond the maximum diffraction-free distance. Before and after the beam reverse, the spiral spacing remains constant, but the spiral direction is opposite. In addition, we obtain the Archimedes spiral equations to describe the spiral intensity patterns. Unlike the beams with Fermat and hyperbolic spiral patterns, the intensity distributions of AS beams are isometrically spiral. The isometric spiral intensity makes it possible to form particle isometric channels. AS beams have potential application prospects in particle manipulation, microscopic imaging, and laser processing.

Structurally Invariant Higher-Order Ince-Gaussian Beams and Their Expansions into Hermite-Gaussian or Laguerre-Gaussian Beams

Paraxial beam modes, which propagate in space and focus without changing their transverse intensity pattern, are of great value for multiplexing transmitted data in optical communications, both in waveguides and in free space. The best-known paraxial modes are the Hermite-Gaussian and Laguerre-Gaussian beams. Here, we derive explicit analytical expressions for Ince-Gaussian (IG) beams for several first values of the indices p = 3, 4, 5, and 6. In total, we obtain expressions for the amplitudes of 24 IG beams. These formulae are written as superpositions of the Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) or Hermite-Gaussian (HG) beams, with the superposition coefficients explicitly depending on the ellipticity parameter. Due to simultaneous representation of the IG modes via the LG and HG modes, it is easy to obtain the IG modes in the limiting cases wherein the ellipticity parameter is zero or approaches infinity. The explicit dependence of the obtained expressions for the IG modes on the ellipticity parameter makes it possible to change the intensity pattern at the beam cross-section by continuously varying the parameter values. For the first time, the intensity distributions of the IG beams are obtained for negative values of the ellipticity parameter. The obtained expressions could facilitate a theoretical analysis of properties of the IG modes and could find practical applications in the numerical simulation or generation of such beams with a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator.

Enlarging the process window in absorber-free laser transmission welding of polymer foils using tailored laser intensity distribution

Absorber-free laser transmission welding enables precise and clean joining of polymer foils without absorbent additives or adhesives. It is well suited for applications in medical technology and food industry, which impose high demands on process reliability. To achieve a large process window and thus a reliable process, a homogeneous weld seam temperature is desirable. For this purpose, the intensity distribution of the laser beam is adapted locally by refractive beam shaping optics. Using a donut-shaped intensity distribution, the weld seam temperature is homogenized. Thus, the process window for welding polypropylene or polyethylene foils is enlarged up to a factor of 4 compared to a conventional, Gaussian-shaped distribution. This enables the reliable welding of even 85 µm thin foils, which could only be welded to a limited extent with a conventional laser intensity distribution.

Simulation of evaporation ablation dynamics of materials by nanosecond pulse laser of Gaussian beam and flat-top beam

Based on the established two-dimensional asymmetric model of the interaction between a nanosecond pulse laser and metallic aluminum, the effect of beam shaping on the evaporation ablation dynamics during the ablation of metallic aluminum by a nanosecond pulse laser is simulated. The results show that plasma shielding, which has a significant influence on the ablation properties of the target, occurs mainly in the middle phase and late phase of the pulse. Among the three laser profiles, the Gaussian beam has the strongest shielding effect. As the diameter of the reshaped flat-top beam increases, the shielding effect gradually weakens. The two-dimensional spatial distribution of target temperature is relatively different between ablation by a Gaussian beam and that by a flat-top beam. For the Gaussian beam, the center of the target is first heated, and then the temperature spreads in radial direction and axial direction. For the flat-top beam, due to the uniform energy distribution, the target is heated within a certain radial range simultaneously. Beam shaping has a great influence on the evaporation ablation dynamics of the target. For the Gaussian beam, the center of the target is first ablated, followed by the radial ablation. For the flat-top beam, the evaporation time of the target surface is delayed due to the lower energy density after the beam has been shaped. In addition, the target evaporates simultaneously in a certain radial range due to the more uniform distribution of laser energy. For each of the three laser profiles, the evaporation morphology of the target resembles the intensity distribution of the laser beam. The crater produced by the Gaussian beam is deep in the center and shallow on both sides, while it becomes relatively flat by the flat-top beam.