Abstract

Laser beams with a ‘top-hat’ transverse intensity distribution and a low M² parameter are desirable for many application areas where a uniform intensity distribution, small spot size and long depth of focus are needed. For example, in laser drilling and cutting the use of a top-hat beam profile can yield a significant improvement in edge quality compared to a standard Gaussian (TEM₀₀) beam profile. Additionally, for a top-hat beam there is the advantage of improved extraction of stored energy from a laser medium and hence higher overall efficiency, especially for end-pumped configurations with a non-Gaussian pump beam.

© 2011 Optical Society of America