Variable optical attenuation functionality for laser welding, laser range finder and LIDAR applications

In this paper we present ultra fast variable optical attenuator to be used for improved performance laser welding systems and for increasing the measurement performance in laser range finders and LIDARs. The improvement in laser range and LIDAR systems is caused due to preventing the reflection of light from the optics of the transmitter that saturates the receiver and thus limits the minimal detection range.