kW-class line sources for direct applications

A new series of high power diode laser line sources is reported. The modules are designed for the industrial materials processing market and include both fiber coupled and direct beam configurations. Typical applications include welding, hardening and semiconductor processing. The biggest challenge in delivering line sources lies in the variety of application specific requirements. This problem is approached with modular concepts that allow for power scaling and custom beam shaping. All modules are available either as an OEM laser head or as a turn-key solution including power supply and chiller. Fiber coupled diode laser modules are available at power levels ranging from 600W to 4kW at various wavelengths. New developments include a 1kW module with a single wavelength and 400um / 0.22NA fiber and a 2kW module based on two wavelengths. Dilas offers up to 5kW from a 1mm / 0.22NA fiber with a single wavelength. At 200 μm fiber diameter, power levels of 850W are available with a single wavelength. While fiber coupled modules allow for easy power scaling, free space systems are capable of even higher overall electrooptical efficiencies and lower cost. Based on modular building blocks, Dilas provides customized solutions that are optimized for individual applications. Two modules will be described in detail. The first module is a 600W line source with line dimensions of 10.5mm x 350 μm at a working distance of 160mm. The second module operates at 3kW output power and creates a homogenized line with dimensions of 9mm x 1.3mm at a working distance of 200mm. Optical design trade-offs will be discussed and concepts for the modules described above are shown. Experimental results are presented.