CW thin-disk laser emitting kW-class beams with radial polarization

Within the past decade, a variety of scientific groups have demonstrated the potential of radially and azimuthally polarized laser beams in many applications [1-3]. Experimental investigations in high-power operation indicate additional beneficial properties for material processing, such as drilling and deep-penetration-welding, which have been demonstrated to lead to an increase of the process efficiency by using such a polarization state. Cutting of metal sheets with radially polarized beams at 1 micron wavelength have been reported recently to increase the process efficiency [4].