Beam shaping for ultrafast materials processing

Abstract: The remarkable temporal properties of ultra-short pulsed lasers in combination with novel beam shaping concepts enable the development of completely new material processing strategies. We demonstrate the benefit of employing focus distributions being tailored in all three spatial dimensions. As example advanced Bessel-like beam profiles, 3D-beam splitting concepts and flat-top focus distributions are used to achieve high-quality and efficient results for cutting, welding and drilling applications. Spatial and temporal in situ diagnostics is employed to analyze light-matter interaction and, in combination with flexible digital-holographic beam shaping techniques, to find the optimal beam shape for the respective laser application.