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Laser Optics - Beam Expanders

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
4401-514-000-21

4401-514-000-21

Excelitas Technologies

BE MOTORIZED 2X-8X; FUSED SILICA

3
4401-256-000-20

4401-256-000-20

Excelitas Technologies

BE MANUAL 2X-8X; WL=1064NM

7
4401-257-000-20

4401-257-000-20

Excelitas Technologies

BE MANUAL 2X-8X; WL=532NM

9
4401-402-000-20

4401-402-000-20

Excelitas Technologies

BE MANUAL 2X-8X; FUSED SILICA; W

8
4401-597-000-21

4401-597-000-21

Excelitas Technologies

BE MOTORIZED 1X-4X; FUSED SILICA

3
4401-598-000-21

4401-598-000-21

Excelitas Technologies

BE MOTORIZED 1X-4X; FUSED SILICA

2
4401-515-000-21

4401-515-000-21

Excelitas Technologies

BE MOTORIZED 2X-8X; FUSED SILICA

3
4401-516-000-21

4401-516-000-21

Excelitas Technologies

BE MOTORIZED 2X-8X; FUSED SILICA

7
4401-258-000-20

4401-258-000-20

Excelitas Technologies

BE MANUAL 2X-8X; WL=633-980NM

5
4401-446-000-20

4401-446-000-20

Excelitas Technologies

BE MANUAL 2X-8X; ENTRANCE LENS F

5
4401-359-000-20

4401-359-000-20

Excelitas Technologies

BE MANUAL 2X-8X; ENTRANCE LENS F

5

Laser Optics - Beam Expanders

1. Overview

Beam expanders are optical devices designed to increase or decrease the diameter of a collimated laser beam while maintaining its collimation. They operate based on telescopic principles, typically using a combination of lenses or mirrors to manipulate beam size. These components are critical in laser systems for beam shaping, enabling precise control over beam divergence, intensity distribution, and focusing capabilities. Their importance spans industrial processing, scientific research, and defense applications, where beam quality directly impacts system performance.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

TypeFunctional CharacteristicsApplication Examples
Fixed Magnification ExpandersSingle-stage optical design with fixed expansion ratio (e.g., 2X-10X)Laser cutting, engraving systems
Variable Magnification ExpandersAdjustable lens spacing for tunable expansion ratiosAdaptive optics, R&D setups
Reflective Beam ExpandersUse curved mirrors to avoid chromatic aberrationUltrafast laser systems, multispectral applications
Refractive Beam ExpandersStandard lens-based systems with anti-reflective coatingsIndustrial laser marking, medical devices
Galilean DesignCompact configuration using negative+positive lens combinationSpace-constrained systems
Keplerian DesignTwo-positive lens system with internal focus pointBeam cleaning applications

3. Structure and Components

Typical beam expanders consist of:

  • Optical Elements: Precision lenses (spherical/aspheric) or mirrors with surface accuracy < /10@633nm
  • Material: Fused silica (UV-IR applications), N-BK7 glass (visible range), ZnSe (CO lasers)
  • Coatings: Broadband anti-reflective coatings (transmission >99% in design wavelength range)
  • Mechanical Housing: Aluminum or stainless steel with precision alignment mounts
  • Adjustment Mechanisms: Translation stages for magnification tuning (variable types)

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterDescriptionImportance
Expansion RatioInput/output beam diameter ratio (e.g., 3X, 5X)Determines beam size transformation
Wavelength RangeOperational spectral window (e.g., 350-1000nm)Defines laser compatibility
Clear ApertureEffective light transmission diameter (mm-scale)Limits maximum beam size
Laser Induced Damage ThresholdMax power density tolerance (MW/cm )Crucial for high-power applications
Wavefront DistortionTransmission wavefront error ( /4 typical)Affects beam quality preservation
Angular MagnificationBeam divergence ratio (1/Magnification)Controls focusing characteristics

5. Application Fields

  • Industrial: Laser welding, semiconductor processing, precision cutting machines
  • Medical: Surgical laser systems, ophthalmic treatment devices
  • Scientific: Interferometry, particle trapping, spectrometry
  • Telecom: Free-space optical communication systems
  • Defense: Laser weapons targeting, LIDAR systems

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

ManufacturerCountryRepresentative Product
Edmund OpticsUSA59-875 C Series Fixed Beam Expander
THORLABSUSABE02-05-A Variable Beam Expander
Schafter+KirchhoffGermany110079 Variable Ratio Expander
CVI Laser OpticsUSABE-20-532 High-power Expander
Suess MicroOpticsSwitzerlandMEMS-based Adjustable Expander

7. Selection Recommendations

Key considerations:

  • Determine required expansion ratio with safety margin for beam divergence
  • Match wavelength range and coating specifications to laser source
  • Verify damage threshold for pulsed laser applications
  • Assess environmental stability (temperature, vibration)
  • Choose fixed/variable type based on system flexibility needs
  • Consider size constraints and mounting compatibility
  • For ultrafast lasers: Use dispersion-compensated designs

Industry Development Trends

Current trends include:

  • Development of multi-octave broadband expanders for supercontinuum sources
  • Integration with adaptive optics for real-time wavefront control
  • Nanocoating technologies enabling >99.5% transmission efficiency
  • Miniaturization using diffractive optical elements
  • Increased adoption of reflective designs for high-energy laser systems
  • Smart expanders with embedded sensors for beam diagnostics
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